 The Friday Night Games Nights are back at the Reaching Out Centre in Mississauga! Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship as we get silly with board games for all ages. We will have games at the centre, but feel free to bring your own. There will be some light refreshments provided but please feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks!
We will play until we want to go home. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions please email [email protected]
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 By: Vonda DenBoer Canada East Mission Centre Co-President
This spring I was blessed with an invitation to join with other denominations to learn about meaningful worship and Renewing Rural Worship. The invitation read “In a season of church transition and decline, we want to foster kinship instead of competition between rural congregations navigating these realities. Together, we can exchange resources and imagine a sustainable future for worship in rural communities” I said yes and signed up. A grant to a doctoral student enabled people from Mennonite, Christian Reformed, United, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist,and Community of Christ to come together and learn from one another, most of whom had church services with 20-40 people. The event was free, and food was provided- what better way to draw us together than sharing over a meal? The Church at Nairn, a Mennonite church was the sponsoring organization, but the funding came from a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. When I walked into the social hall, I was greeted with banners that confused me. Was I in a Community of Christ church or a Mennonite church? The banners read “Jesus our Center”, “Community our Focus”, “Peace and Justice our Purpose”. I knew I was in the right place to learn something valuable. We sang, we shared stories, we explored what was most important to us in our worship experience and we learned we were similar in our desires, worship challenges and worship practices. We learned how pastoral care and worship are interconnected and how important it is to listen for the relational richness that comes when we listen for what is valued and hoped for in one another. This transcends doctrinal beliefs and theology and enables us to find ways to sustain and support one another across the boundaries of our diversity. I shared about our communion practice with written prayers, invitation statement and scripture and that we had not always had open communion and how important it was for me when we were able to welcome all believers to the table. A line from one song we shared was especially meaningful: “when there’s trust in the room we can breathe” ["Trust in the Room” by John Thornburg and Mark Miller]. We had trust in the room, and openness, and solidarity, and grace. Together we shared the Lord’s Supper, prayers, music and scripture. We heard excellent speakers from across North America- one is a friend of Dawn Dawson’s who shared his use of music in worship on Manitoulin Island. Another had written a book about her experience with shared spaces – where two or more denominations shared a building and rotated worship practices. Many years ago, I attended Pulse’83 where our denomination led us in new and exciting ways to develop our worship experiences. The difference here was that it was not limited to our denomination, and we were blessed with the giftedness of others who also had a rich heritage in worship planning and leadership and much to offer. Both those learning experiences have been transformational for me. I believe we will hear more from this young woman who is embarking on a second doctorate degree in Music and Worship experiences. If Mykayla Turner offers another opportunity, or writes a book, I will definitely take advantage of it.  Please join the Windsor congregation as we discover the power of *Lateral Kindness* in creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces and communities. Brought to you at no cost we will learn about building lateral kindness, addressing negative behaviours, creating a positive culture, and more!
Matt Thorpe: Our facilitator is a high-level Thought Leader and Aboriginal facilitator with over 30 years of experience in training, entrepreneurship, mediation, and coaching. Known for his dynamic, authentic approach, Matt helps individuals and organizations achieve profound self-awareness and authentic resolution. His inclusive communication style and deep connection to people from all walks of life make him an exceptional guide in this journey toward fostering a culture of kindness. Reserve your spot today and be part of a movement toward a more compassionate world. Email Jon Abbey @ [email protected] to register by September 30, 2024  As I watched the 2024 Paralympics a Toyota commercial came on with the tag line “We Believe No Journey is Taken Alone”. That struck me hard. There I was watching the Paralympics particularly because a former student of mine was competing. I knew that she had never been on that journey to compete alone. I knew with certainty that she had had family, friends, teachers, coaches, and I’m sure so many more at her side all along the way. When I saw her compete, I actually saw all of her supporters too, and my eyes filled with tears knowing the love that was being sent her way.
“We Believe No Journey is Taken Alone” Noronto Reunion 2024 for me was filled with the knowledge that the people of Noronto were on a special journey together. As Director, I was definitely not alone. I learned very early on in my directing career that challenges would arise, and that the quicker I gave them up to God to get them sorted out the better. I’d calmly (believe it or not) present the problem and then sleep on it. Some pretty incredible answers came my way. This year that happened numerous times. Here are but a few: • We needed a head cook because our wonderful Jeff Phelps was under the weather. In conversation with Rick MacGregor, who lives in Arizona and hadn’t been to Noronto in years!!!! He said to me “Cathy I could be head cook”. The other wonders that happened in that Noronto kitchen and dining room are just too many to recount! Those teams were just plain God sent! • We needed some Older Youth leaders. I prayed one evening for some people to be sent our way. The very next day I got a call from Mark Fryer asking me if we had any room for a relative of theirs who was a Graceland Rep. That is the way that Noronto Reunion was blessed with Cadence Sires and her grandmother Deb Crowley as our Older Youth leaders. • We needed Guest ministry. Ask me sometime how we got Andrea and Mark Johnson as our guest ministry. I still can’t believe how that happened! Andrea and Mark were just who we needed. They were a couple sent to us from God via South Carolina and Michigan!!! “We Believe No Journey is Taken Alone” • Noronto Reunion 2024 had a Leadership Team of 8 people • Noronto Reunion 2024 had 56 people, of all ages, on the official Personnel List (Passionate talent unleashed to make so many wonderful things take place.) • Noronto Reunion 2024 had volunteers in every one of its 196 “on the grounds” participants of all ages — Children and Youth, side by side with Adults, doing everything that needed to be done. (I particularly loved the new aprons I saw worn in the dining hall for KP — everyone looked so official, and yet cheery!) • Noronto Reunion 2024 participants reached out to the world beyond the Reunion Grounds and so many, many people reached back— Australia, Africa, South America, and so many more places were represented in the sending of greetings and good wishes The words “It takes a village” came to life all through Noronto Reunion 2024. At an Under the Pine Tree session during Reunion, someone spoke about how someone in their family had been sought out over the years to lead meetings in the professional association they belonged to. When asked how this person had learned to lead meetings, the answer was because he had had practice in his church. Can you imagine the leadership power that Noronto Reunion is building!! I saw it at every turn as I walked through the journey of Noronto Reunion 2024. • I was stopped in my tracks to listen as the directions — and explanations of why we do it that way!!! — were being given by the head of our Dining Room to a KP team. I couldn’t have been prouder in that moment. And, as an aside, one of our children said that her favourite thing at Reunion was doing KP!! • I witnessed an 11 year old girl and her dad lead a hugely popular, well attended, Trivia night. • I have proudly been very aware of some young volunteers who have given service for many years to making sure that our kitchen always has fresh, clean, laundered items. • My heart was blessed each time I heard someone calling someone else by name — including them on their journey — Appreciating, Recognizing, Encouraging — leaders all. Noronto Reunion is never just a “one and done” event. This is a living, breathing, community. Lifelong connections are made and renewed here. Being fully immersed in a Community of Christ experience for a week brings untold riches to those who come. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it first hand. While I, as director, help to facilitate this experience, I can’t even in my wildest dreams, imagine the full immediate effect or the ripple effect of all of this. We go our own ways — together — and draw on our experiences, and each other, as needed. What has happened is so subtle that we don’t often really realize the blessing of it all. It’s ours to call on at any given moment. God is with us, and we are with each other. “We Believe No Journey Is Taken Alone” Seventy Cathy Baker Noronto Reunion 2024 Director  We were so thrilled to be able to host Kids Camp at Erie Beach this year, as it has been a long time since we have had a youth camp there. We had 15 wonderful campers and 10 staff join us for our Great Treasure Hunt! We learned about listening for God’s voice and waiting for treasures in heaven instead of getting distracted by earthly treasures. There was lots of treasure hunting on the beach and creating crafts to preserve them. Our banquet brought out some colourful characters, such as Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and Smee, where the campers enjoyed having the staff serve them dinner and do KP. We also learned about geocaching and were able to find one, as well as make one of our own! You will have to try and find it next time you are at the Beach! Can’t wait to see what next year brings! We hope to see you all there! Jenn Pederson co-director  By: Dawn Dawson Canada East Mission Centre Co-President
Our summer youth camping season is coming to a close, and the cooler days of fall are upon us. It’s time to reflect on the success of our camping season. The large number of young people participating fills us with positivity for the future. However, we now face the challenge of maintaining the spirit and engagement of these young people within our community throughout the year. Keeping our youth motivated and active in church life is a struggle we all share. Various activities—athletic, academic, and social—engage the youth and often draw them away from church events. Those just beyond secondary school are finding new paths in post-secondary education or employment. The question we’re all grappling with is how to keep these age groups engaged with our church community. One significant step, though sometimes difficult for current leaders, is to find times that are more relatable and convenient for the youth. This could include after-school programs, weekend events, or even late-night gatherings. Being flexible with the timing of youth groups, like Peace-makers, can be challenging but necessary. For instance, holding meetings directly after school could ease parents’ concerns about their children being unsupervised between school and supper. For slightly older youth, including a meal like spaghetti—which is both economical and easy to prepare—could foster fellowship. The shared experience of a meal and taking turns cleaning up could recreate some of that camp duty atmosphere. Empowering the youth to take the lead on weekly events is another way to motivate them. When they’re enthusiastic about something that interests them, they’re more likely to invite friends, helping the group grow. Engage them by asking what topics they’d like to discuss in youth groups, such as anxiety, environmental concerns, or local mission projects. Even simple activities like gathering on a Saturday morning to help a neighbour pile winter wood are still meaningful here in the North. Using their terms of reference, like "paying it forward" in such activities, encourages forward-thinking and community-minded behaviour. High school students often seek volunteer hours to graduate. Consider posting opportunities for outdoor jobs, such as preparing the church for winter, like raking leaves or garden work, on social media for high school volunteer hours. Once the youth feel comfortable with a location or the people associated with it, they may be more inclined to attend future events. The fear of the unknown keeps many youth from experiencing wonderful opportunities, so creating chances for these nerves to dissipate is essential. Even small connections or brief interactions are valuable. Keeping lines of communication open, no matter how or when, is highly beneficial. A Facebook Messenger chat group, for example, can be a great way to share ideas and stay connected. Our youth are out there, navigating a world that needs them, but many are lost in the chaos. Together, let’s find ways to create positive, mentoring, and meaningful experiences for our youth. Checking in with them a couple of times a year will help them remember their summer fun and build deeper relationships for years to come.  McGowan’s Lake 2024 Reunion took place this year from August 16th to 21st. The theme "Heal the Earth" created a memorable impact on our attendees’ attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour toward the environment. As stewards of God‘s creation, we left camp inspired to become better protectors of the fragile balance of our planet. Our attendance was lower this year than in past years, in part due to our old adversary, COVID, and other various health issues. We had 16 adults and 3 children registered for the duration of the Reunion, and there were several other day visitors. Vonda DenBoer of the CEM Presidency Team was our guest minister, and she brought a unique and powerful ministry to our worship and intergenerational sessions. In addition to our daily classes, hymn sings, and devotions, other presentations and hands-on activities included learning how to make a miniature compost bin, creating reusable greeting cards, building bat houses, collecting items from nature to create a meditative mandala, assembling personal hygiene kits for refugees living at Matthew House, utilizing old fire hoses to create feeders and other enrichment articles for the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, chats under the trees, and making wildflower seed paper. We also enjoyed campfires, games, good food, assembling an earth puzzle, tablecloth art, rock painting, movies, Kahoot!, recognition of the 150th anniversary of the church seal, a pancake breakfast in support of World Accord, and a silent auction, as well as connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Like the Noronto and Loaves and Fishes Reunions, we benefitted from the beautiful thematic "Heal the Earth" posters created by Natasha Buchanan. The weather was very wet and cool during the Reunion, but that created an atmosphere for us to gather closer together. Participants were great at stepping up, often taking on new roles, to fill in the last-minute vacancies created by sickness or when otherwise needed. Thank you, everyone! It was terrific to be with our returning campers as well as our new friends. As the campfire song goes, ‘Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold.’ Everyone is precious. We leave our 2024 Reunion experience, after a break from our daily routines, with a fresh outlook and a desire to notice how we relate to and interact with the natural world. May our everyday choices be beneficial to the planet. C U Next Year!  Host congregation: Woodfield Congregation, London ON
Dates: September 27-28 Instructor: John Nichols We will be hosting an in-person session of the Temple School class Ministry of the Elder. The class is open to everyone who is interested. We want to extend a special invitation to all Elders to come and share your knowledge with someone who has just been called to this office. Please let Nancy know if you will be attending. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration and addition information: Nancy Baer [email protected] or 519-532-3982  By: Seventy Mary Jean Belrose Canada East Mission Centre Co-President
Hospitality is the practice that keeps the church from becoming a club, a members-only society. – Diana Butler Bass Many years ago, my mother and I visited one of her sisters and her family in their humble thatched-roof home in a remote area of Cuba. Her children, spouses, and grandchildren all gathered to greet us with exuberance, filling the house with the joyful presence of family. The walls were simple, made of painted wooden boards that were the same inside as they were outside, with daylight shining through the cracks. Bare light bulbs hung from the rafters, casting a soft glow on the uneven cement floor that had been swept clean. Despite the modest surroundings, there was no sense of embarrassment or awkwardness. The well-worn furniture quickly filled with the loving presence of family members gathered closely around us, while others stood nearby. We sipped strong, black café Cubano as the sun began to set, and just as we prepared to leave, the house was suddenly plunged into total darkness due to a power failure. Immediately, our hosts took hold of our arms, preventing us from moving and protecting us from a possible fall. Some scrambled to find a flashlight, guiding us safely to our vehicle, all while holding our hands to ensure we were secure. The entire experience left me feeling as though we had been lovingly held in a cocoon of care. What is Hospitality? According to Dictionary.com, hospitality is "the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way." Having received God's abundant grace, we are called to respond generously with what we have and who we are. By fostering a culture of hospitality, we create spaces where we lower ourselves to become servants, building others up and giving them value. In a world that can be cold and inhospitable, we can construct spaces of warmth and inclusion, where the Creator’s Spirit can breathe into the hearts of the lost and lonely. Sometimes, hospitality is as simple as offering a listening ear. Sharing food always provides an open door for guests to feel cared for and welcomed. Relationships are often built around the table, where discussions about what truly matters can take place. The focus isn’t on entertainment or impressing others; it’s about genuine connection. Even if we lack the finest linens or if our cupboards are bare, we offer what we have from our hearts. The simplest refreshment or meal can bring us together—whether it's frozen pizza or a dish of ice cream with a cool drink. It was when two disciples on the road to Emmaus shared a meal with a stranger that they came to know him. Did they have time, resources or energy to prepare something extravagant or amazing? Despite their weariness and grief, they extended hospitality, and in doing so, experienced a profound revelation. What might we miss if we don't extend such invitations, even when it’s inconvenient? In the Congregation – Embrace the Awkwardness From time-to-time strangers show up at church. Perhaps they’re just passing through, or maybe they’re on a serious search for a spiritual home. Either way, we have the opportunity to practice radical hospitality. In small congregations where everyone knows each other well, it’s easy to focus on familiar faces. As leaders, we can sometimes get caught up in the business of the congregation before or after the service, or we might hope that someone else will greet the stranger, relieving our discomfort. Starting a conversation with someone we don’t know can be challenging. After you introduce yourself and ask their name, you might wonder what to say next. Consider asking how they found your church—perhaps they’ve already visited your congregation’s webpage but have questions that could lead to further conversation. Find out if they are new to the area, and if so, where they moved from. If it feels appropriate, ask about their work or what grades their children are in. Be sure to introduce them to others, always looking for ways to connect individuals. For instance, if they have an interest in yoga and someone in the congregation is an instructor, make sure they meet. Or if they live in the same neighborhood as another member, facilitate that connection. Don't just meet them—help them meet others. Of course, invite them to join your group for lunch after the service, and be prepared to cover their meal. Involve them in the conversation, making them feel included and valued. Don’t worry about having the perfect conversation starter—just dive in. Can’t remember their name the following week? That’s okay too. Many of us have what I like to call a “leaky valve” when it comes to names. Just ask them to kindly remind you of their name and move on. Expect Change Jesus ate with sinners, welcomed children, and taught us to invite the lowly to our gatherings. He prepared breakfast for His disciples, including Peter, who had betrayed Him. He set the “table” for 5,000+ and encouraged lunch boxes to be shared. Lives were forever changed. In each of these acts, lives were forever changed. When we extend ourselves in hospitality, we too will undoubtedly be changed. Many of the ways we make guests feel comfortable in our homes can be applied to welcoming them at church. Challenge yourself and your congregation to practice radical hospitality—hospitality that exceeds expectations. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. – Matthew 25:40 Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2  Erie Beach Reunion 2024 encompassed all of what we are about...fun, fellowship, enfolding, spirit filled, commitments made, buckets filled, relationships renewed and strengthened, heritage respected and hope for our future. We left there remembering the sacraments of baptism and ordination. We left there looking for what we will need to move forward. We left there with hope. Our wonderful youth who were the largest in numbers stepped out in leadership...took on new roles and gave us a feeling of pride and security in the direction that we are moving. Our beautiful grounds gave us the opportunity to look at the theme of Heal the Earth as we learned about trees in a new way and were able to plant some while there. We are looking forward to Reunion 2025. Looking forward to seeing everyone and looking forward to enfolding those that are new in our Christ filled love. |
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