|
Through Crises Towards Transformation: Human Impact I: Drought, Flood, Sea Sunday, April 11, 2021, 5 PM EDT  Examples of human impact from low-elevation islands to the Andes Mountains, and from Bangladesh to Louisiana. How can we mitigate the climate disasters affecting our global brothers and sisters? Climate disruption has not only created hurricanes, tsunamis and floods that hit the headlines around the world, but continue to impact human populations in a variety of ways. Long droughts have prompted migrations of villages and tribes, while rising sea levels necessitate the permanent evacuation of communities from low elevation islands to higher ground. Our presenter for the April webinar exploring the human impact of climate change and climate disruption is Dr. Richard Waugh of Wisconsin University. In his research and travels, Dr. Waugh has witnessed climate-caused difficulties in various cultures around the world. Prior to retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2020, Dr. Waugh taught classes on climate change, social geography and human impact, and led an annual extended field trip to key geographic locations with his students. He brings personal experience as well as professional insight to the conversation. Dr. Waugh is also a long-time elder in Community of Christ, and did his doctoral thesis on geography and sacred space. He has served as a pastor and as a counselor to leadership in the former district and mission center. His articles have been published in The Herald and in the JWHS Journal. Come join us in the Climate Webinar on April 11 with Dr. Richard Waugh. Invite your friends to join as well. All sessions are free. Participation in previous webinars and conversations is not necessary to join in this opportunity Join further discussions about these topics on these dates:
Watch previous webinars, conversations and Community of Christ President Steve Veazey’s sermon: Please Note: If you registered for a past webinar or conversation, you do not need to register again. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link a few days before each webinar, panel and conversation. Hosted by the N. American Climate Justice Team. Sponsored by GPNW Mission Center, Community of Christ. Open to all people of all faiths and traditions.
 After careful consideration of global pandemic recovery trends and consultations with field leaders and health professionals, the Community of Christ First Presidency has decided to delay 2022 World Conference until 2023. The presidency, in consultation with the World Church Leadership Council, has set 21-29 April 2023 for the next World Conference.
The difficult decision to delay was made in conjunction with church leaders, several who live and serve in nations greatly affected by the pandemic. Current published vaccination projections indicate people in many countries might have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in time to support traveling for a 2022 World Conference. However, that is not the case with all countries where the church has a presence. Based on the global projection of vaccination availability, the presidency weighed the need for the church to make timely decisions with the associated risk of bringing people together from around the world. Upholding our Enduring Principles in light of the collective information we have at this given time, it was wise to delay the next World Conference until delegates from around the world can safely travel, enter the USA, meet together, and return without contributing to community spread of COVID-19 or its emerging variants. The First Presidency consulted with the Conference Organization and Procedure Team, which includes four registered parliamentarians, regarding their authority to delay World Conference due to a global pandemic. The most important reference in the church bylaws is found in Article V, Section 6: “These conferences meet at the call of the responsible administrative officers, at times and places determined by the bodies concerned, or without such provisions at times and places set by the responsible administrative officers.” This reference, broadly interpreted, gives the First Presidency the authority to determine the time, place, and manner of meeting. Further the 2019 World Conference passed WCR 1320 that provides “the World Conference authorize the First Presidency to set the dates and locations for future World Conferences in compliance with WCR 1288.” Additionally, the First Presidency wanted the fields to fully resume in-person ministries. It was also felt that for the welfare of families and the church, we needed time for financial recovery from the effects of COVID-19. Question and Answers 1. Summarize why the First Presidency delayed the 2022 World Conference by one year. • Safety of delegates • Safety of communities • Limited effect on delaying legislative decisions • Opportunity for the field to fully resume in-person ministries • Financial recovery from the effects of COVID-19 2. Does the First Presidency have the authority to delay the conference date? Yes. The First Presidency consulted with the Conference Organization and Procedure Team, which includes four registered parliamentarians, regarding their authority to delay World Conference due to a global pandemic. The most important reference in the Bylaws is found in Article V, Section 6: “These conferences meet at the call of the responsible administrative officers, at times and places determined by the bodies concerned, or without such provisions at times and places set by the responsible administrative officers.” This reference, broadly interpreted, gives the First Presidency the authority to determine the time, place, and manner of meeting. Further the 2019 World Conference passed WCR 1320 which provides that the World Conference authorizes “the First Presidency to set the dates and locations for future World Conferences in compliance with WCR 1288.” 3. Will there be any kind of gathering in 2022 online? Yes, the First Presidency is working with the World Church Leadership Council to organize online gatherings in 2022 to worship and explore important topics before the church such as World Conference Resolution 1319 - Nonviolence and the nature of mission beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Once details have been developed more information will be provided. 4. What are the dates for the 2023 conference? The Presidency, in consultation with the World Church Leadership Council, has set 21-29 April 2023 for the next World Conference. The dates are later in April to avoid Holy Week and Easter. 5. Does this mean we will have conference again in 2025 to stay on schedule or will the following conference be in 2026? The Presidency, in consultation with World Church leaders and the Conference Organization and Procedures Team, determined that after the 2023 World Conference, the next conference will be held in 2026. To hold a World Conference in 2023 and then have another conference in 2025 was not feasible due to the financial impact to the church and members. 6. Will there still be an International Youth Forum (IYF) in 2023? The IYF director’s team is working with the Council of Twelve and First Presidency to determine the best plan for the next IYF. More information will be shared when a decision is made. 7. When will legislation be due for the new 2023 conference? Legislation will be due 21 April 2022, one year before the start of conference. Legislation already received in anticipation of a 2022 World Conference is valid. 8. Will people be required to have a vaccine to attend the 2023 conference? At this time, World Church leaders have discussed this question but have not made any final decision regarding requiring a COVID-19 vaccine to attend the 2023 World Conference. It is possible that the church may choose to rely on the criteria established for entry into the USA and not levy any additional requirements. 9. Vaccines are rolling out now; why can’t we have conference in 2022? As we uphold our Enduring Principles, it was important to delay the next World Conference until delegates from around the world could safely travel and enter the USA. Current published vaccination projections indicate that people in many countries will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine in time to support traveling for a 2022 World Conference. However, that is not the case with all countries where the church has a presence. Based on the global projection of vaccination availability, delaying the 2022 World Conference was the decision that aligned best with the church’s value of the Worth of All Persons and the voice of representation from all mission centers of the church. 10. Why was the decision to delay made so far ahead of the 2022 World Conference? Initially the plan was to make the decision in June 2021. Based on input from those who work the travel logistics for delegations around the world to attend a World Conference, a year of lead time is necessary to successfully pull everything together. As the decision was being considered, feedback from the World Church Leadership Council was that having a decision sooner than June 2021 would be helpful. Part of this related to needing time to identify and plan other experiences in 2022 if it was not safe to host the World Conference. With all these factors and based on the information that was available, the First Presidency proceeded with making the decision to delay. 11. Will delegates be able to attend conference online in 2023 if they do not want to or cannot travel to the USA? At this time, all delegates will need to be physically present for the 2023 World Conference. Hybrid conferences that allow physical and online participation as a delegate may be a possibility in future conferences sometime beyond 2023. Although delegates will not be able to participate online in 2023, there will be opportunities for others to participate in some worship and non-legislative experiences. The 2023 World Conference schedule will indicate which events will be accessible online.  Barbara Jean Norton Robinson, age 75, passed peacefully Wednesday, March 23, 2021. She was born September 4, 1945 and grew up in West Branch, Michigan with her parents Ivan and Neoma Norton, sister Judy and brothers Fred and Tim.
In 1963, she joined the U.S. Navy. After recruit training Barbara went to Newport, Rhode Island for disbursing clerk school and then on to the finance office at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. A few years after being discharged from active duty, Barbara joined the Navy Reserves. While in the Navy Reserves, she was able to serve in CAG Twenty located in Cecil Field, Florida. She also served in Patron Squadron Sixty-Two. While Barbara served in the Navy, she was able to serve at the jet base at Fallon, Nevada, Rota, Spain and other places. In 1994, she retired as chief petty officer disbursing clerk. Barbara’s daughter, Laura Horning, was born at Quonset Point, Rhode Island in 1970. Barbara’s son, Christopher Horning, was born at Patuxent River, Maryland in 1972. After her children’s arrival they were her main concern and attention. Her civilian jobs as bookkeeper at a junior high school, plus military pay clerk, then as an accounting technician for military pay in the Federal Service, Navy Reserves and church activities kept her busy until her retirement. Through the years Barbara has enjoyed being with friends and doing what she could for others. Barbara enjoyed visiting with and doing fun things with her mother, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members and friends. March 1997, Barbara and Vernon Robinson were married and began their life together. October 1997 was early retirement from U.S. Federal Civil Service so Barbara and Vernon could live in Sheguaindah, Ontario, Canada. Her husband, Vernon died in 2003. Reading, visiting, playing cards and games as well as listening to music brought pleasure to Barbara. Being active in her church activities and being about the Lord’s work was her main concern in life. Being an ordained minister in Community of Christ, provided many opportunities to server her Lord. In October 2005, Barbara moved back to her hometown of West Branch, Michigan. She has worked as an elections inspector at city hall, was active in American Legion Post 103 in West Branch and was a volunteer at the West Branch Book Nook. Barbara traveled, visiting family, friends and enjoying life. Some of the places she traveled to were twelve other countries, plus Branson, MO, Nashville, TN, the Smokey Mountains area, and many other places in the United States. Her times at church world conferences in Independence, MO were special, also. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Robinson, mother – Neoma (Vincent, Norton) Reid, father – Ivan Norton, step-father – Logan Reid, brothers – Richard and Randy Reid. Surviving are her children, daughter Laura Horning (husband Arthur Smith) of Independence, MO, and son Christopher Horning (wife Anna Horning) of Middleburg, FL, step-children – Loree Robinson of Sunnyvale, CA, Richard Robinson of Ontario, Canada and Elizabeth Harris Wylde, of Arizona. Barbara’s grandchildren are Elizabeth, Erik, Emily and Erin Horning of Florida, Eliza Horning of Ontario, Canada, Tiona Horning of Missouri, and Lacie Beland, Emma and Thomas Cornwell of Florida. Great grandchild Serena Bowick of Florida. Her siblings are, sister Judy Klemetti (Lee) of Muskegon, MI, brothers Fred Norton of Belleville, IL and Tim Norton of Kansas City, MO, Ethel Jean (Harold) Iutzi of Michigan, Virginia Thompson of Florida, Marlin Reid of Florida, Marlene Baggett of Florida, Judy Matthews of Michigan, Darla Fox of Michigan and Marsha Russell of Michigan. Also surviving is her friend, Edward Zimmer, who has given her such special companionship. Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, March 26, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery with veteran honors. Seventy Kevin White will officiate. Visitation will be held with precautions, due to the current pandemic, limiting the number of attendees at a given time. Please Note: The family has requested that if you have a nice picture (or even a few) of Barb you can share those using the link provided by the funeral home (https://www.tributeslides.com/up/13215214286031) to add them to the slide show that will be playing at the funeral home during the visitation. They would love to have your pictures of Barb included if you are able. Thanks.  In Loving Memory of
Ronald James Robson On February 11, 2021, Ron Robson, a devoted and supportive soulmate to his beloved wife, Isla Robson for 44 years, passed away at age of 69 at St. Catharines Hospital. After receiving a lifesaving kidney transplant in 2005, he later developed a rare form of cancer which became fatal. Survived by his mother Stella, (father, late Joe Robson) sisters Wendy, Nadine (Dave) Scott, sister-in-law Gloria (Gord) Robbins, nieces, and nephews. Special friend of Leona and Bill Bonnar; Anne Pigeon and Barb Luchka. After attending university and college, he worked as a program developer at Photo Labs and a rent all company. He was president of Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club and the Y's Men's Club. He enjoyed being Santa's "Special Helper". He visited schools, family gatherings and retirement homes. Everyone enjoyed his jolly "Ho, Ho, Ho!" Children were delighted to talk to him on radio at Christmas. His passion was always for his other "family members", his many lovable dogs. He enjoyed Camping and bird watching. He was a train enthusiast, a model railroader and enjoyed working with computers. He was grateful to have such loving and caring people at the Greater Niagara Pharmacy. Special thanks to the nurses at the Walker Clinic. Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no services.  Join us on an illuminating journey to discover the ways history, culture and belief systems influence how we relate to one another today.
For more than 20 years Encounter World Religions has brought the world religions to life for those who want to discover their stories. Our special online version introduces you to 5 of the world’s religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and First Nations through meaningful conversations and an opportunity to hear from a faith guide who will discuss the practices, rituals and beliefs that shape their faith, and answer your questions. Additional optional sessions offer opportunities to discuss what you are learning with other attendees and with our presenter Dr. Brian Carwana. Whether you attend for personal interest or professional development, a new understanding of the world’s religions will help you better understand your new neighbour, your children’s friends, your colleagues at work, even the evening news. Most importantly it will help you understand yourself, and the factors that shape your own beliefs. Visit the Encounter World Religions Centre website for more information. The program is taught from a non-sectarian perspective and is open to all. We would love to have you join us. Click on the button above to register. Early bird registration fee available until March 31. Have a question? Email Brian Carwana at brian@worldreligions.ca  In the Shadow of The Pandemic Friday, April 2 - 9:00 AM EDT (ON, CAN) A virtual peace and justice observance of solidarity with all members of the human family. Simcoe County Kairos is honoured to bring you this year’s Ecumenical Good Friday Walk for Justice live online.
We are a local group inspired by the work of KAIROS Canada, a national social justice movement which unites the work of various Canadian churches and all people of faith or conscience as they work together for ecological justice and human rights. Before COVID, we would have gathered along the shore of Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe. In this second year of the pandemic, we gather again virtually to reflect on the parallels between the suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth and the current suffering of many members of our community who have gone mostly unnoticed in the past year and whose numbers have grown due to the effects of the pandemic. Specifically…
 Know God with the community Beyond the Walls. Join ministers and hundreds of disciples and seekers from around the world. Dan Gregory of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will preach on the theme, “Know God.” Pete Gaffney of Leicester, England, will give our Peace Lesson and Charlie Brown of Melbourne, Florida, will lead our Disciples Generous Response. Trudi Gunderson will offer the invocation from Pahoa, Hawaii. Vickie MacArthur of Lethbridge, Alberta will lead our Meditation on the Message. The lectionary scripture will be read by Tiona Horning of Independence, Missouri and our Call to Worship will be read by Emelia Goheen of Chauvin, Alberta. Sunday, March 21, 12 Noon EDT SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. Speaker, Shone Carson. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.
Port Elgin Congregation - 9 a.m. class. Coffee & Conversation 9:40. Worship 10 a.m. Steve Northey will be the speaker. Presider Catherine Manson. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details. La Salle Road Congregation - Social time from 10:15-10:30. Worship 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details. Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here. Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact John & Ruth Black for details. Cambridge Congregation - 11 a.m. Complete Worship Services are held each Sunday at 11:00 am For details go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. On the calendar page click on the event for the Zoom link. Social time follows the service First People Community of Christ (FPCC) - Reaching out to Native People across North America and the World! Online Prayer and Testimonies Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Worship Sundays at 7 p.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for ZOOM details. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with.  Join Linda Booth exploring our theme “Accept the Light of the World,” and ministers, disciples, and seekers from around the world. Zilphia Martin IV of Southfield, Michigan will give our Peace Lesson and Elray Henriksen of Brussel, Belgium will lead our Disciples Generous Response. Janine Judd McCully of Chilliwack, British Columbia will offer the invocation. Johan Koeslag of Orangeville, Ontario, will read our Lectionary and Kathy Deemer of McDermitt, Ohio, will lead our Call to Worship. The Beyond the Walls Choir will premiere CCS 240 “Light Dawns on a Weary World,” and CCS 646 “Go Now Forth into the World.” Sunday, March 14th, at 12:00 pm EST. SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. Marianne Wilson of the Chatham Kent Pride Association will share her life's journey and how a welcoming community helped along the way. Anthony Smith will be the presider of this service. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.
Port Elgin Congregation - 9 a.m. class. Coffee & Conversation 9:40. Worship 10 a.m. Lorne Currie will be the speaker. Presider Barb Currie. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details. La Salle Road Congregation - Social time from 10:15-10:30. Worship 10:30 a.m. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details. Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here. Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact John & Ruth Black for details. Cambridge Congregation - 11 a.m. Complete Worship Services are held each Sunday at 11:00 am For details go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. On the calendar page click on the event for the Zoom link. Social time follows the service First People Community of Christ (FPCC) - Reaching out to Native People across North America and the World! Online Prayer and Testimonies Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Worship Sundays at 7 p.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for ZOOM details. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with.  The "Green Session" of elearning classes is open for Canadian enrollment. Please ensure this information gets into the right hands for communicating to your congregation:
Enrollment Information for eLearning Classes: The following credit classes are open for a limited enrollment:
melissa@communityofchrist.ca To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canadian Registration Form".   This Easter, we're gathering for an online worldwide Communion worship and we need your help to create a truly global experience.
Photos of your Communion emblems Videos of you dancing to Takwaba Uwabanga Yesu! Deadline: March 17 Learn how to submit your pictures and videos below. Photos Whatever your Communion emblems look like—bread and juice, water and crackers, even milk and cookies; and wherever you take Communion—at home, at work, in a congregation—we want to see it. Send us your best photos that are:
Upload your photos to WeTransfer, entering jokeefe@CofChrist.org as the email address to notify. Videos We want to dance with you in joyful celebration of Jesus with us now and always...come join the dance! Here's how: Get the music... Download "Takwaba Uwabanga Yesu!" from this link. Get ready... Set up your phone or camera (more below) put on your ear buds or headphones (so we don't hear your music while you record...but you can clap or play percussion if you want to) and your dancing shoes (or go barefoot!) Go! Playback the music to your ears and dance with joy! No matter your age or ability, let's celebrate together in movement and dance. Kids? Yes. Just your dancing feet or whirling wheels? Absolutely. Your whole family? Certainly! (Kids must get their parent or guardian's permission first and submit a Photo Release for Minors Form with the video) Submit a Video Upload your video to WeTransfer, entering jokeefe@CofChrist.org as the email address to notify. Setting Up Your Phone or Camera
Questions or issues? contact jokeefe@CofChrist.org. |
|
Quick links
|
External links
|
community of christ
355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 Canada Canada West Mission: 877-411-2632 Canada East Mission: 888-411-7537 
|
Canada West Social media
|
Canada East Social Media
|
Search Communityofchrist.ca
|
|
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by Community of Christ
|
RSS Feed