Faith in the digital age: Finding joy in connection

By: Dawn Dawson, Canada East Mission Centre President Co-President

One of the mission centre’s goals is to foster greater communication among our members. We also aim to create pathways to reach beyond our current membership to new seekers or friends who may have stepped away over the years. Do you use social media to connect with friends and family? Have you ever considered using it to connect with others in our community of faith?

Our mission centre uses several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. We’ve started creating reels to quickly share news and updates about upcoming events. By searching “Community of Christ” on social media, you can also find pages for other mission centres and congregations. There are chat groups for topics like Shelby system users or general dialogue, and reunion families have pages to stay connected throughout the year.

There is joy in making and maintaining connections! For inspiration, Community of Christ UK has an active TikTok channel where they promote their camping programs and share ways to enjoy community life. If you enjoy podcasts, the Project Zion Podcast from World Church offers episodes about life in our faith community, including interviews with Priesthood members, short 15-minute chats called Coffee to Go, and programs recorded on Graceland’s campus.

Our enduring principle Responsible Choices can guide us in deciding who to follow on social media. While some may feel overwhelmed by the pull of social media, careful curation can create a more positive and inspiring experience. Sharing our stories and resources helps build a stronger online presence, and following meaningful hashtags or media feeds can deepen our sense of connection.
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Communication may seem simple, but it requires effort from all of us. By reading this blog post, you’ve already taken a step toward building stronger connections. Let’s continue working together to create a community of joy and positivity!