 by Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
If you haven’t already had a chance to read the recent Pastoral Letter from January 29th, I encourage you to take a look to learn about the new calls that are being shared in anticipation of World Conference. It still feels a bit odd to say that I have been called to serve as an Apostle, especially when just last weekend my call to High Priest was presented at our special mission centre conference! But God works in mysterious ways, and I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life as a minister as I say Yes to this call. I will be leaving my full-time job in technology to begin working for the church. What the letter doesn’t mention is that I will continue to live in Port Coquitlam and work from home, traveling as needed to where I am called to serve. I will also continue to be part of the Mission Centre President team for Canada West. We have some big changes in front of us as we go about the work of our new Canada Mission Centre design, and I am in many ways happy to be able to give that work more of my attention. I’ve recorded an interview with the Project Zion Podcast that shares some background to my life, and we’ll be sure to share when that is available. In that interview I shared that I’ve found the hymn “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” to be quite moving in the past year, especially as I considered this call, and I definitely feel like “I have abandoned my small boat; now with you, I will seek other seas.” I look forward to connecting with many of you in new ways as this next phase unfolds.
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 Camping is one of the most meaningful and community-building activities in Canada West Mission, bringing people together in faith, friendship, and fun. To help strengthen and support our camping programs, we are forming a Camping Committee and inviting those who love camping and are actively involved to take part.
If you regularly participate in camps—as a volunteer, staff member, or long-time camper—and have a heart for camping ministry, we’d love for you to be part of this team. This committee is a hands-on team focused on strengthening and supporting our camps. While camp directors will be involved in conversations, this committee is specifically for those who are not currently serving as camp directors but have experience with camp programming and a passion for its future. Members should be familiar with the programming at either Hills of Peace or Samish Island to support planning effectively. The committee will meet twice per year—once in late winter or early spring to prepare for the upcoming camping season, and once in the fall to debrief, troubleshoot, and confirm camp directors for the following year. We are planning an initial online meeting in February, with tentative dates as follows: • February 4, 5, or 6 (evening, after 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time) • February 8 (morning) • February 11 (evening) Purpose of the Committee The Camping Committee will: • Provide oversight of camping programming from a Canada West Mission perspective for Hills of Peace and Samish, particularly youth camping • Support CWM participation in SPEC • Maintain the CWM summer camping calendar to avoid overlap • Guide Registered Youth Care Worker applications, training, and renewals • Assist directors in finding staff and future directors for camps • Create tools for feedback from campers and staff and share insights with directors • Oversee budget preparation and reporting to the Mission Centre for Hills of Peace camps • Provide feedback and support for registration software and ensure registration opens online • Share wisdom and best practices from different camping programs If you are passionate about camping and want to help it thrive, we’d love to hear from you! To express interest or ask questions, please email Shannon McAdam at [email protected]  Youth in Grades 9–12 are invited to join us February 14–16 for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and connection—and a chance to learn more about SPEC 2025! Whether you’ve been to Spectacular, want to go, or are just looking for a great time with friends, this retreat is for you.
For those attending in person, the cost is $100, and you can register at Eventbrite. A Zoom option will be available for those who can’t attend in person. Please contact Gwyn Beer ([email protected]) if you would like to attend online. Details about the directors, and Zoom link will be shared soon. Let’s get ready to reconnect, have fun, and build excitement for Spectacular 2025!  By Gwyn Beer
Are you staying up to date on everything happening with World Conference 2025? The theme, Hope is Here, invites us to gather in faith and celebration. A video series with Jenn Killpack and Susan Naylor has resumed on Facebook and YouTube to help you stay informed about all things World Conference. The first video, released on Monday, January 13, shared important details like the conference dates—beginning the afternoon of Friday, May 30, and concluding on Friday, June 6. Pentecost Sunday, June 8, marks the start of a new season of hope and renewal. You can watch the “In the Know” video series (and future episodes) by visiting the Community of Christ website. Scroll down to the NEWS banner and click “Learn More.” Look for the blue World Conference box to find the videos, including the most recent episode marked “REPOST: In the Know.” This is also your opportunity to put your name forward as a delegate for World Conference. Delegates will be voted on at the Canada West Mission (CWM) Special Conference on Saturday, January 25. I’ve been to World Conference three times as a delegate—first as a 20-year-old Graceland student and again in 2019 and 2023. Every experience has been amazing. If you have the chance, consider going to Independence, MO, whether to participate as a delegate or simply to experience it for yourself. For me, the Spirit is present in my home congregation and at the church campgrounds I’ve been privileged to visit. But the Spirit I felt in the Auditorium and the Temple in Independence, MO, was unmatched. Even when the buildings were quiet and empty, the sacred presence was undeniable.  Take time to nurture your spirit and recharge your energy at the beautiful Samish Island Retreat Centre, February 28 to March 2. Explore different forms of self and spiritual care, such as Reiki and aromatherapy, while connecting with a supportive community in a serene setting.
Saturday Evening Activity: On Saturday evening, immerse yourself in a sensory experience as we create personalized Aromatherapy Bath Salts to take home. This hands-on session combines creativity, education, and relaxation, allowing you to continue your healing journey after the retreat. Discover the benefits of essential oils and craft a unique blend tailored to your personal needs. The evening will be a celebration of creativity, community, and connection, accompanied by soothing music and meaningful conversations. Find out more about the benefits of aromatherapy, explore the weekend schedule, and access the registration link here: NurturingSpirit.Corsizio.com Register today! Questions? Email [email protected]  By Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Happy New Year! We are looking ahead to the coming of One Canada, where we will share services and leadership across the country. Until that happens, we want to provide clarity about how our current personnel are offering ministry in the Mission Centre. Your Mission Centre President Team is Becky Middleton, Shannon McAdam, and Kat Goheen. Their role is to advise, inform, and advocate for the activities of the Mission Centre and Community of Christ in general. They offer support and encouragement and assist in the workings of the Mission Centre, including campground boards, conferences, and congregations. The Communications Team consists of Leandro Palacios and Jeanny Jakobsen. They share news from International Headquarters and the Mission Centre, along with updates about the good work happening close to home. This team manages social media, emails, the Weekly Wire, and CWM Conference materials. Our Creating Connection coordinator, Debra Donohue, helps congregations in CWM with outreach opportunities and provides retreat resources and ministry. She also assists with CWM Conference experiences. Each of these people is committed to the flourishing of the Holy Spirit in western Canada. We hope you feel supported in your discipleship and ministry.  February 28 – March 2, 2025, at Samish Island Retreat Centre Early Bird rate in effect until January 17th. You are invited to attend a retreat focused on healing for your soul, heart, spirit, and mind. There is much in the world making us anxious and fearful. As we contemplate how to live meaningfully amidst chaos and uncertainty, taking care of ourselves becomes essential. This retreat will help you find again that grounding in wellness that can guide your life journey in the weeks, months and years to come. Together, we will explore ways to better care for ourselves. Come to Samish Island Retreat Centre to find rest, renewal and healing. Register today at http://NurturingSpirit.Corsizio.com.   Help us wake up Samish Island Campground & Retreat Centre after its winter hibernation! You’re invited to join us on February 7–9, 2025, to spend a day, a night, or two at our beloved Samish Island—at no cost—and assist staff in preparing the grounds for our 2025 camping season, which starts the following weekend.
We welcome all volunteers! To help us plan meals, please call or email any of us to let us know your plans. Thank you! Jeri Mortimore: [email protected] 360-901-9619 Christine Campbell: [email protected] 360-766-8125 Shawna Custer: [email protected] 360-399-1021  On Saturday, January 25, 2025, join the Canada West Mission Winter Conference, a one-day online event that brings our community together. Starting at 9:00 AM (BC), 10:00 AM (AB), and 11:00 AM (SK and MB), this conference offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect and engage in key decisions for our mission centre.
The agenda will include:
This is more than a business meeting—it’s a chance to connect, contribute, and help shape our path forward. We hope to see you there!  By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Happy New Year one and all! I recently caught up on our local newspaper editions. As you know, the postal strike delayed much of the mail lately. As I opened the paper, I found an article about the retirement of our only local optometrist. My first reaction—though I was happy for our optometrist and his receptionist wife—was Oh no! Now where will we go? They’ve been taking care of the optical needs of our town and area for 50 years! My mind raced: Where do we go? How do we find new people? Will we be able to trust someone else and how they do things? As I read on, the article explained that after a few renovations, the clinic would reopen under a new name in early 2025, with a different optometrist who already runs a clinic in a nearby city. We don’t have to worry. This made me think about the changes coming for the Canada Mission Centre. There will be formational changes (renovations) and new people to meet and get to know. Service locations will be expanding, but the leadership of our Mission Centre will be experienced and ready to help care for the needs of a new Canadian Mission Centre. We’ll need to trust the vision and work together to build a new path. Good things are coming! |
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