Greetings from Becky (Rebecca) Middleton!

As the newest member of your Mission Centre Presidency team, I would like to introduce myself. For any of you who don't know me, I am a Beer from BC on my mother's side, a Levitt from Alberta on my father's side, and a Middleton from Saskatchewan on the married side!

I have been the pastor of the Senlac congregation for more years than I remember and I am familiar with many of the congregations across the mission centre.

I have been involved with the Bridge of Hope campaign in the past as well as with World Accord and the projects in Honduras, working alongside my husband Doug. I have currently been on the advisory team for family camp at Hills of Peace as well as being involved in all aspects of staffing at HOP in the past.

I am humbled to be asked to join the Mission Centre Presidency Team and I hope to be an asset for the team and lend my support in any way I can. We look to move forward with succession planning so that each one involved with mission centre administration may be mentored and introduced to the needs of the mission centre in a way that is not overwhelming, but instead is an enjoyable experience.  

Thank you to the team for asking me to be involved and thanks to you all who have entrusted me with this position. Please feel free to reach out to me as one of the Mission Centre Presidency team with any thoughts or concerns you have. I will try my best not to disappoint you! 

Faithfully yours,
Becky Middleton

​Reunion time has come and gone but t-shirt designs are here! This summer, we collected the top 3 t-shirt designs from every reunion to compete in the World Accord t-shirt design contest. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 14 designs across the country.

Now, we need you to cast your vote! Help us determine the winner of our contest. The winner will receive a $100 gift to a place of their choosing or a place that World Accord recommends, as well as have their design featured on our new shirts at next years reunions. We will also feature the winning shirt and winner on our social media (if you are willing).

To vote, please click on the button below. Please cast your vote no later than Wednesday, October 4th at 6pm. The winner will be announced by Monday, October 9th.

What: Climate Webinar – “Climate Emergency!" (Now What?)
Who: Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon, Community of Christ; and Bishop Carla Long, member of the Presiding Bishopric and assistant to Ron Harmon.  

When: Sunday, October 1 at 2pm PT/ 3pm MT/ 4pm CT/ 5pm ET 
Where: ZOOM Online Ministry

Last April Community of Christ voted to declare a Climate Emergency!
 
The delegates at the 2023 World Conference voted overwhelmingly to declare a climate emergency and provide information and resources to the global membership to address this crisis.  People are eager to find out how they can help, what actions their congregations can take, and how best to support those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
 
We are beginning our new series of webinars centered on Restoration of Right Relationship.  Restoring right relationships is a part of responding to Climate Emergency.  Emergency occurs because the relationships are wrong.
 
Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon and Bishop Carla Long will share their thoughts on the legislation passed at World Conference, the support of the Order of Bishops, and some ideas about how the church can best respond.  Their ideas are appropriate for those affiliated with our church, and for everyone who cares deeply about the climate crises we face.  Join us for this pivotal webinar on October 1!

​All sessions are free and participation in previous webinars and conversations is not necessary to join. ​​If you registered for a past webinar or conversation, you do not need to register again. Once registered, you will be sent a link to join the sessions. 
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Watch for information on our second webinar of the series, November 5.

You likely know that our Executive Director, Kristin Douglas, will soon be off to bring a new life into the world. Kristin will be off on maternity leave once her baby arrives later in October. We wish Kristin and her family the very best of health, happiness and joy during this time. In her usual generous style she has offered to continue to stay connected during this time of transition and has reminded us that she is never far away.

We have other wonderful news to share. We are pleased to welcome Florestan Fillon as World Accord’s interim Executive Director. Florestan (Flo) has already started in this role and will spend several days learning alongside Kristin prior to her maternity leave. This will ensure a smooth transition, and we are grateful Flo was available to make this happen.

Flo has lived in more than 20 countries throughout five continents and has substantial experience in international and community development. He has worked with organisations in policy development, communications, climate resilience, gender equity, donor recruitment, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, and a host of other areas.  His formal education includes a Masters in Community Development (International Development focus) from UVic, a bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Management from NEOMA Business School in Reims, France.

Born in France, Flo makes his home in Ottawa. He is passionate to learn and come alongside World Accord staff, partners, donors, and the Board as we all strive to make a difference through partnership and collaboration. Flo is excited to be part of the excellent work World Accord’s staff and partners have pursued for over 40 years.

Flo loves to spend time in nature, and above all, he loves people and getting to know their unique perspectives. A lover of all the arts, including writing poetry, singing and playing multiple instruments (guitar, piano and mandolin), Flo is equally comfortable on a soccer pitch, having coached the sport for over 10 years.

At this time of transition, we thank our staff, partners, donors, supporters, advocates and friends for your ongoing support. The Board also wishes to thank Kristin for her tremendous efforts and successes so far in her tenure as Executive Director, and we look forward to her return.
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In the meantime, we know World Accord will continue to be in good hands with our current staff, Isabelle Hachette and Ann Meinzinger, and with the addition of Flo serving as our interim Executive Director.

The Diversity and Inclusion Team is excited to offer three workshops beginning in September of this year. We hope to see many of you as participants and fellow learners as we continue on the path of inclusion as a faith community.

Workshops are free and all are welcome. Currently the plan is to offer the workshops on a scheduled basis. Registration is required. 

To register: Send your name, email address, contact phone number, and title of the workshop you wish to attend to Heather Frey at hfrey@cofchrist.org.  A Zoom link will be sent to you a week or more prior to the workshop.  

If a group of 20 or more, a congregation, or a mission center would like to have a presentation on different dates than those announced, please contact Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue (gblue@cofchrist.org) or Cathi Cackler Veazey (ccacklerveazey@cochrist.org) ​

Rooting our Hearts: Tools for Inner Peace    
A Nurturing Spirit Retreat
When: October 27-29, 2023
Where: Samish Island Retreat Centre

Are you tired of seeing only the sad news stories of how people treat each other?

Do you find yourself still wondering what “normal” life is anymore?

You are not alone. At our nurturing spirit retreats we seek to remind ourselves of the good in ourselves and one another and cultivate resilience while we restore our faith in the world.

When you join us you will get to try different creative practices, experience embodied spirituality, and listen to illuminating stories and teachings.

To see our schedule, find out more, and register, go to www.NurturingSpirit.CreatingConnection.ca 

Please welcome Rebecca (Becky) Middleton to the Canada West Mission Centre presidency! Some may wonder why we are adding a fourth person to the team. Succession Planning is why.  When I agreed to be part of the volunteer mission centre team I was asked to commit to 2 years.  Well, 2 years is over and I am just starting to understand the needs of all of you!  I am not going anywhere this year but retirement is calling me.  With succession planning, I can leave and in a few years might step back into the team.
 
Becky will be adding her thoughts and ideas on what our mission centre needs.  She will be learning alongside us.  As we continue the journey,  Becky will learn some of the pieces that we have learned.  I am sure she will discover things we haven’t!
 
Becky and I are first cousins.  Becky’s mom Mable and my dad Alfred were sister and brother.  Even knowing her all my life, I am sure to find out so much more about her and how capable she is.
 
Succession planning has begun in the mission centre.  From the beginning of the new volunteer team, we have been mentored by Steve Thompson, Art Smith and Dar Shepherdson in the ways and means to navigate within the church.  Lisa Neudorf mentored showing me how to work with REGGIE.  Andy McArthur and Briana McKenna worked with Jean Cravy to help with succession in the camp director field for Canada West.  More plans are coming to assist the Mission Centre to meet the needs of the members.
 
As we approach Mission Conference, consider whether you can extend mentorship in some areas or whether you would like to be mentored in some of the areas of the church that you are interested in volunteering for.

The Hills of Peace Campground Association will hold its annual “All Members Meeting” (or “Annual General Meeting”) on Monday, September 25. The meeting will be held via Zoom and will begin at 7pm MDT.
 
When the time comes, join Zoom Meeting by clicking HERE
Zoom information is:
Meeting ID: 848 1271 5433
Passcode: 175184
If you require non-smart-phone telephone access, please contact Steve Thompson (steve@communityofchrist.ca or 780-904-4389) for phone numbers and instructions.

To download all the documents for the meeting, please click on the button below.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

​Please read the important statement below from the First Presidency for an update on President Veazey and the Discernment Process.

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon
gwyn@communityofchrist.ca
​kat@communityofchrist.ca
smcadam@communityofchrist.ca

The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) through the Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary has opened the following classes for enrollment:

Fall A Session (Aug. 28 - Oct. 22): 

• Ministry of the Elder:  $25
• Ministry of the Priest:  $25
• Introduction to Priesthood Ministry:  $25

Note:  The Christian Ministry Certificate class planned for this session has been postponed to give a session break to our students. We will continue these classes in the Fall B session.
 
To enroll or for more information on these classes and the certificate programs, please visit www.graceland.edu/CIMM
or click on the button below. 

Share your good news, we want to celebrate with you!
Details and pictures will be included in our annual We Celebrate video for Mission Conference 2023.

If you or anyone in your congregation celebrated an anniversary (60+ years), birthday (90+ years) or graduation (high school or college/university) since last mission conference, please send us the details and 1 or 2 pictures maximum. Make sure you include full names and dates.

We have requested this information from all congregation pastors. Please check with your pastor to be sure you are not duplicating what is planned to be sent to us.
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Please send the requested information to Sandra Rodriguez (sandra@communityofchrist.ca) by no later than Monday, August 28.

This week we bring you a few highlights from Youth Camp at Samish Island. Lots of fun was had!

​Please read the letter below from President Cramm and President Murphy for updates on President Veazey.

Here is another episode in my sharing of discernment facilitator training. This one is called, “Are we there yet?” and it traces the later stages of group discernment, from identifying the next right step to take, to establishing common consent, to seeking confirmation of the action, to getting from process to practice. I hope this fifteen minute video provides some inspiration!

We are busily planning Mission Centre Conference with the theme "Courage to Act" and are hoping you will join us.

Remember that you don't have to be a delegate to have a say in our business meeting! All members in Canada West can have voice and vote in our conference. Registration is open now.

Visit www.cwm.events to register and learn more!