 Snowdrops! I have just seen my first snowdrops of the year! Spring is coming! Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 The snowdrops come every year, I look for them as my first sign of spring. (I know some places in the rest of Canada will not see green for a while yet.) The Lord God appearing is a sure as the dawn, as sure as the snowdrops. How do we “press on to know the Lord”? What are the signs that the Lord has appeared to us? I want to know the Lord better today than yesterday. I want to feel the spring rains on me. I believe that he will appear sure as the dawn and I hope to be the one to SEE the dawn. How do I prepare for the Lord coming? I need to study and pray, much like preparing the earth in the spring for a garden. I will then care for the garden, clean out the weeds, water the earth and…reap the bounty of the Lord God’s grace and blessings! What a bounty I will receive when I press on and open up to the Lord appearing at the dawn of each day. 
 Photo Credits: Left (2) Samish Island Campground www.campsamish.org Right (1) Hills of Peace Campground www.hillsofpeace.ca Photo Credits: Left (2): Samish Island Campground www.campsamish.org Right (1): Hills of Peace Campground www.hillsofpeace.ca Canada is suffering with lockdowns that are happening across the country. Covid-19 and the variant Omicron make human contact further down the road. What does this mean to you? Back to ZOOM church, family only gatherings, in some cases you are double masking and you may know someone who has the virus. When will this end? None of us knows. Where do you turn when you are feeling alone? Reach out to someone else. Call a church member, call a friend, chances are they are feeling isolated too! Mail a card, thinking about that person even if all you do is put their address on the envelope and sign your name. If you are computer savvy, you can be virtually in touch. If it helps, yell at God, he will listen! Pray about your situation and those who you wish you could help. We are still in the first month of 2022 and it might help for you to think about what you want to do in the coming year and plan for it. During Advent, we talked about the Hope that comes from the birth of Jesus Christ. There are events being planned and an opportunity to attend virtually. Look at the things coming up in the Weekly Wire. What appeals to you? Is this a time to start a class on line, both through the church or from your local learning centres? Plan to be at reunion this year. No promises from me that we will be able to gather at our camp grounds, but if the opportunity to gather happens, be ready! What can you think of that you might be able to bring to reunion for yourself and maybe for everyone? I have a project that I am gathering the supplies for. As I work on what I want to share, I think of who might be participating with me and I get a smile on my face! The time is now to plan for the future. 
 The Virtual Visiting Fellowship group that Steve Thompson began will continue!
Gloria Stanton is hosting the Tuesday Morning VVF group. She will be sending out an invitation to join based on a list supplied by Steve Thompson. If you have not tried the VVF group but would like to, you can contact Gloria Stanton at [email protected]. She will be happy to send you the link along with the people who have attended in the past. Enjoy the fellowship!  IHQ is piloting a new way of including more personalized info in our email communications. Beginning in 2022, we will roll out a new email journey to ensure seekers receive content that is relevant to them. This is a major departure from our current communications where all email subscribers generally receive the same content.
HELP US TEST THIS NEW APPROACH!
Thanks for your help!  Photo Credit: Cherie Westmoreland In this bright new year, our thoughts naturally turn to the future. Since becoming one of your Mission Centre Presidents, I find my heart is quite tender toward our congregations. I see the effort and devotion offered by our congregational leaders. I yearn for our communities to experience nurturing, hope, and growth! At the same time, a wise friend reminded me yesterday to appreciate what we already experience in fellowship, and the ways we are touched by the gifts of Spirit and community. In this new year, let us remember that all are called. Along with resolutions that focus on physical and economic well-being, please consider examining your discipleship. These questions may help:
Your pastor or Mission Centre Presidents would be more than happy to visit with you about your plan of spiritual response to God’s activity in your life. We can only grow and thrive together – the harvest is ready and all are called! 
When: Saturday, January 15, 1-3pm (Pacific), 2-4pm (Mountain), 3-5pm (Central). Where: online To register send email to: [email protected]   Happy New Year! 2022 has arrived with a world population that is striving to stay healthy. The world lost a great humanitarian over the Christmas season. Desmond Tutu lived a life of love for all. He promoted his objective as “a democratic and just society without racial divisions.” To Archbishop Tutu, forgiveness and reconciliation were the "only truly viable alternatives to revenge, retribution and reprisal". "Without forgiveness," he said, "there is no future”. Without forgiveness, there is no future. The beginning of the year 2022 is when people make resolutions. This year, forgive yourself and start the New Year with a renewed sense of self. The sacrament of the Lord’s supper is a time of preparation and should include reconciling with others, confessing our faults, and asking for and offering forgiveness. D & C Sec 163: 10a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. Whenever we meet at the Lord’s table to partake in the Lord’s supper, we have the opportunity to begin anew. What a great gift from God! 
 I have news that is both challenging and exciting. After 23 years working with World Accord, I have decided that it is time for me to retire from this work and pursue some other interests. The sector has been changing and I have come to believe that World Accord, our partners and the participants in the projects will benefit greatly from a change in leadership.
I want you to know that World Accord’s board of directors has been diligently working with consultants to find the best replacement for me that will share our joint values and pick up our mission to Cultivate Communities That Thrive and really run with it. This process is being led by Farrah Ali-Khan – World Accord’s former program coordinator and our current president of the board of directors. I know World Accord will be left in good hands and trust that you will continue to support the cause of world accord under the leadership of the new Executive Director to the benefit of those in poor communities that we have been working so hard to help. Thank you for all your support and dedication to the poor over the years. I know the new executive director will be happy to have wonderful supporters from our church community going forward – supporters like you. If you have any questions or concerns, we will do our best to address them. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement the church has provided to World Accord while I was at the helm. Wishing you and yours the most wonderful Christmas overflowing with Joy, Hope, Love and Peace. David Barth Executive Director NOTE: For any in the church community (or good candidates you may know) here is the link for the job advertisement with our HR firm. The Canada West Mission Centre is aware of the passing of the following persons. Please click on the name to access the obituary (if available).
If you are aware of others not listed here or an available online obituary not linked here please contact [email protected] Please support in thought and prayer the family and friends of the following persons who passed away: 2023
2022
2021
2020
2019 This list was initiated following the 2019 Mission Conference. Members who passed away earlier than late August are not listed.
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