​​•March 18• 
Satsang: Singing Into Silence​
​​
•March 26• 
Climate Webinar "Climate Impacts on Global Security"

​•April 22-28• 
2023 World Conference "Courage"

​Written by Kat Goheen
Canada West Mission Centre Co-President

I began studying Discernment Facilitation with Katie Harmon-McLaughlin earlier this year, and it’s been such an enriching experience. Someone recently asked to hear more about this course experience, so this seemed a good way to begin!

Here below is a short summary of my learning from the course so far (under 9 minutes):

What: Climate Webinar – “Climate Impacts on Global Security”
Who: David Anderson, DMin; High Priest Quorum President, CofC; Retired USAF Colonel; Masters of International Public Policy, SAIS, John Hopkins  University
When: Sunday, March 26 at 2pm PT/ 3pm MT/ 4pm CT/ 5pm ET 
Where: ZOOM Online Ministry

Climate disasters are threat multipliers. They increase the danger of global insecurity and social destabilization—a fact many countries’ national security establishments and collective defense organizations recognize and prepare for in their defense strategies.
 
With his academic background in international policy, his personal military experience, and his knowledge of NATO, Dave brings a global aspect to this issue, not just a USA perspective.  In many countries, it isn’t just the military but the entire foreign affairs/defense policy establishments that are aware of climate crises and engaging in the preparations to deal with the resulting instability. You won’t want to miss this exploration of the way climate intersects with and amplifies the global threats in today’s world.

​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. 
​
​For more information about the series please visit the Climate Change Colloquy website.

Hills of Peace is a scenic campground in the MD of Provost, Alberta. HOP requires cooks and cooking assistants for the upcoming camping season. Accommodation is provided. Staff are paid.

Cooks and assistants are needed for the following:

1. 2 -3 staff. Family Camp (August 5 – 10) cook and possible two assistants.
2. 2 staff. Youth Camp (August 12-18) cook and assistants
3. 2 staff. Kids camp (August 19 – August 23) cook and assistant

Requirements:

• Successfully pass of the Alberta Food Safety Certification course. Available online. (Cost is $52.45) Cost of the course will be reimbursed for the successful candidates.
• Cooking experience
• Flexibility
• Excellent communication
• Prepare a Food budget
• Shopping and purchasing of food (food costs are reimbursed)
• Transportation to and from the campground
• Ability to supervise and provide direction to assistants

For more information please contact Eileen Johnstone at psych3492@gmail.com or call at 587-566-6446.

World Accord is actively seeking new Directors for the Board. Now more than ever our partners in Central America, Nepal and Ethiopia need a strong organisation. Our partners face significant challenges due to the impacts of Covid, climate change and the ongoing political and social complexities that make living conditions unstable, particularly for women and girls.

The Board seeks applications from a wide diversity of people and backgrounds. For more information, click on the button below to see the Board Job Description, or reach out to Board Vice Chair, Leah Christensen (lchristensen@worldaccord.org)

The Council of Twelve has tentatively determined two locations for remote sites. One will be hosted in Honduras and the other will be hosted in D.R. Congo. One additional remote location will be hosted at Graceland University to accommodate students who are taking their final exams during World Conference week.

Special attention is being given to health and safety. This will require some precautions not experienced at conference before.

Based on what we know at this time, people will be strongly encouraged to wear masks when indoors at World Conference to protect the most vulnerable in our gathering. We will provide larger spaces for delegation seating using the main floor and the balcony and encourage people to spread out during other indoor events.

We are also strongly encouraging participants to take several self-initiated and self-monitored precautions to include testing for COVID before arriving, staying home if one tests positive or has fever or symptoms, and getting up-to-date on vaccinations to protect one’s self. Thanks for your understanding! 
​
We look forward to sharing with our global family!​

If you would like to explore the World Conference Resolutions for April this year, you can listen to these summaries of the sessions that have been held online over the past month. Observations and questions about each resolution are being gathered and shared at the links below. If you are inspired to join in on the remaining sessions, they will be held ongoing through the week of March 13 and you can register at the first link below. Please continue to hold World Conference in your prayers!
 
The Exploration Session Summaries in audio form can be found on the 2023 World Conference page at cofchrist.org, here:
https://cofchrist.org/news/register-for-exploration-sessions/
 
The Exploration Session Summaries can be found on YouTube at the following link:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6z7pDtiBtvLYvES7ho9Sa5GF-sxAQOz

SAVE THE DATE!
Hills of Peace Family Camp
August 5-10, 2023
Director: Marian Thompson
melthompson@shaw.ca

Many of earth’s communities now live out of balance with the world around them. Many lack access to food, water, and shelter, the universal needs of existence. Many have gifts that go unrecognized and unshared. As a result, all communities—the human and the more-than-human—experience woundedness and loss.

Come for a weekend of nurturing, awareness and hope.  Join in community as we learn about and experience profound acts of reconciliation and restoration happening both locally and throughout the world. ​Find your place in this great awakening. Register today!

Brought to you by Creating Connection.  ​

Parents - please plan on your children attending camp in August of 2023!  We will have a wonderful experience together!
 
Counsellors - please note the dates for the Youth (Sr/Jr high age) camp and for the Kids camp.  We need YOU!! If you have the time, please join us as volunteers for either camps (or both!).  If you are interested in becoming a camp director, please let us know!  We would love to foster that interest.   Thank you in advance for your volunteer participation!

​We received the announcement this week that Steve Veazey has begun his retirement process as the president of our church. He will have served as the leader of our Community of Christ for twenty years, having offered us three revelations we have included in our Doctrine and Covenants: 163, 164, and 165. Steve has brought a wealth of pastoral experience to the role and has blessed our church worldwide, both as an apostle and as a president. This is bringing up so much warm feeling for the three of us, and we want to express our appreciation!
 
From Shannon: What stands out to me is Steve’s calm presence and grounded leadership style. I appreciate how he has shifted focus to us being a prophetic people instead of a people with a prophet. I also admire him for being so open about his own discernment processes. I know family is important to Steve, so I hope he gets to enjoy a relaxing retirement with lots of family time.
 
From Gwyn: Steve Veazey is gentleness personified.  I have never personally met Steve but have seen him up close.  My overall impression is that he is a man of quiet persuasion, gentle demeanor and kindness that flows out from him.  Steve has led our church through some heavy conversations and he never seemed to falter.  
 
From Kat: My overwhelming impression of Steve is kindness. I admire Steve’s patience in the face of dissent during business meetings, and the way he greets people amid his busy schedule with deep hospitality. I also admire his vision, remembering his statement eight years ago that the work of spiritual formation is the future of our church. The phrase from revelation that I am truly grateful for is in Doctrine and Covenants 163:9b, ending: “Be vulnerable to divine grace.”
​
We are so grateful that this isn’t goodbye, just a chance to reflect and show appreciation. What part of his legacy is bearing fruit in your life? How can you also be part of the legacy of our church? We will carry this time of transition in prayer and be open to the work that God will continue to inspire in us. 

Written by Debra Donohue
Creating Connection Director

Creating Connection’s ‘Nurturing Spirit Retreat: Connecting through Self Care’ was held last weekend at Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre at Cultus Lake in BC. 

A few people had to cancel due to weather … it snowed over a foot at the campground on Saturday, but we ended up with a lovely group of 24 over the course of the weekend and 25% were first timers! This retreat focused on recognizing the signs of burn out and creating action plans to take care of ourselves so that we live happy lives, and so we have the capacity to care for others.

Alexis Beer, our guest speaker, who has a long list of qualifications and training, did a great job leading us through the topic. Everyone agreed her sessions were interesting, thought provoking, and stimulated lots of conversation.  And let me tell you about the music. It was amazing! Edith Wallace led us in two meditations of sound, a concert Saturday night, and sent us off with a song which we all danced to on Sunday morning.  I think Saturday night may have been my favourite Edith Wallace concert to date.  Check her out on Spotify.

Kat Goheen brought her harp and gently strummed us into another mediation and Shannon McAdam taught us how to use needlepoint as a way to focus our thoughts and be mindful.

We spent time playing Pictionary and our theme was, of course, self care activities.  Gwyn Beer brought a 1000-piece puzzle (which we didn’t quite finish) and there was free time to walk in nature and explore the grounds.

Although Stillwood is not Samish Island, which is so near and dear to many of us, there were several benefits to using this campground.  First, it’s in BC so most of us didn’t have to cross the border, make sure we had up to date passports and purchase travel insurance. Although 3 people came from the US and they crossed the border to be with us.  Second, it’s a large and busy campground so they have staff to do all the cleanup in the buildings and after meals (woo hoo!)  And Third, we didn’t have to pay the US exchange rate which is around 30% right now.

We’re looking at going back next year, but maybe we’ll try to go in March.  The weather is a little more predictable then, or at least one can hope.

I’ve included a group photo, a walking group photo, a photo of the Edith Wallace concert, doing needlepoint, and my car Sunday morning covered in snow.  If you weren’t there, we missed you and hope you can join us next time.

Watch for details on our next Creating Connection Retreat "Creating Community: Where Spirit, Nature and Justice Meet" June 1-4 at Samish Island. This retreat will be a mindful and exciting combination of Nurturing Spirit and Nurturing Justice.