This week and next week our column will address some of the business that will be before us at Mission Centre Conference on Sept 10th.
 
This conference we have an important new motion to consider, which is:

1. Resolved: That the bylaws of the Canada West Mission Centre meeting procedures be amended to: 
   1. Remove current guideline section “Delegates” and 
   2. Replace it with the following (wording taken from Church Administrator’s Handbook):
      Voting:
      All members in good standing within the mission center are voting members of the mission center conference.
      A member who has changed his or her place of residency but whose transfer has not yet been processed may be given the right of voice and vote by action of the assembly. 

The reason we currently have a delegate conference is that when the mission centre was first created, and all conferences were in-person, it was important to make sure that there was representation from across western Canada no matter where the conference was held.
 
This representation continues to be very important to our life together as a mission centre. There has been a big change though, since the original bylaws of the mission centre were created, and that was the year we voted to allow for virtual aka online conferences and voting. It's amazing to think about how technology has made it possible for everyone in far-flung corners of our mission centre to join us in our decision making.
 
As we prepared for this year's conference it became clear that allowing for many voices and perspectives to speak and vote at conference is very important to many people across the mission centre. It emerged that delegate conferences were perhaps limiting participation, especially for "non-resident" members who don't have a local congregation.
 
So the idea to open up conference voice and vote to more of our members will be before you this year. We are looking forward to the virtual pre-legislative sessions where you can share your thoughts and questions with one another on this topic, as we continue "Growing Together".
 
Virtual Pre-Legislative Session options:

• Sunday September 4th at 2pm Mountain time
• Wednesday September 7th at 7pm Mountain time

Watch for the Zoom Link in the conference hub soon!

We know many have been eagerly anticipating the return of in-person camping for Canada West, and we are excited to share that, barring any dramatic changes in the state of Covid-19, we are moving forward with in-person camping this year.
 
In light of our enduring principles around the worth of all persons, unity in diversity, and personal responsibility, we are offering some guidance. We do this because of our gospel call to offer welcome to the least and most vulnerable among us.
 
First of all, our corporate responsibility as a mission centre is to always, at a minimum, follow local Covid guidelines for safe gatherings. Individual camp directors may decide that additional restrictions are necessary to keep campers safe, including things such as no in-out privileges during camp. At a minimum, directors will be responsible for ensuring camps follow all local guidelines for communicable illness, and to stay updated as those change.
 
Second, each of us has a personal responsibility to consider what we can do to protect one another. Personal responsibility can look like:
​

• Updating your Covid-19 vaccination by receiving any boosters that are available.
• Considering getting vaccinated if you have not yet done so, as it is the best way we know of to curb the spread of Covid-19.
• If you aren’t vaccinated, getting tested for Covid-19 no more than two days prior to arriving at camp.
• Not coming to camp if you are feeling even a little bit ill.
• Isolating for 5 days prior to coming to camp, regardless of your vaccination status, to ensure you are not unduly exposing yourself and others to illness.
• Wearing a mask while indoors to avoid spreading illness.
• Ensuring good hygiene through:
  • regular hand washing
  • coughing or sneezing into an elbow or sleeve

Our guiding question for you is: How will you protect the precious neighbour that sits beside you at camp?
 
We also encourage everyone to respect one another’s choices in how they have responded to Covid. Regardless of our individual views on vaccinations or public health mandates, we come together as one community who find unity in diversity. Some people will feel more comfortable wearing a mask and keeping their distance, others will be ready to embrace everyone. Please respect the speed and space of each person’s engagement at camp.
 
We can’t wait to raise our voices to sing “We’re all together again, we’re here, we’re here” in the sacred spaces we find ourselves gathering in this summer, and to also sing the words together “We are one in the Spirit”.

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

Hills of Peace needs a certified lifeguard for the youth camps being held in August! Dates for this year are: August 13 - 18 and August 20 - 24.

We offer meals and accommodations during the camps. Wage will be current with local area standards with a travel allowance. 

​Please email Eileen Johnstone psych3492@gmail.com for further details.

Come join us for a monthly “get together” for casual discussion of books from a wide range of genres. Open to all book lovers (some books may not be suitable for younger readers).

When: Third Monday of every other month at 7pm (BC), 8pm (AB/SK), 9pm (MB). Our next meetup is on August 15!

Our book for this session is: 
​"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.”
​
At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.

Call Out for Hosts!!!!

Do you love to read, and discuss the books you’ve read with others?  Kelly Duff is stepping down from leading our Creating Connection bi-monthly book club and we need to fill her spot.
If you’re interested in leading this group every other month, (you get to choose the books) contact Debra Donohue debra@communityofchrist.ca

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

​Annual General Meeting at Hills of Peace Campgrounds
Sunday, August 7 at 2 PM Mountain Time

What do you see in the future of Hills of Peace? Please consider your involvement in the Hills of Peace and join the board! Let Noela Inions know if you would like to put your name forward or have further questions. All are welcome to join! Please contact Noela Inions for additional information.

You are invited to join us for Hills of Peace Family Camp "Living Jesus, Living Peace" from Saturday, August 6, 2022 (3pm) to Thursday, August 11, 2022 (11am).
 
Our guest minister will be John Hamer, who serves as pastor of the Toronto Congregation and the Beyond the Walls global ministry. John serves as a Seventy and is passionate about inclusive, outreach ministry — developing new paths to invite people to Christ.
 
The registration deadline has been extended to Saturday, July 30. If you would like to attend but the registration fee creates a financial hardship or barrier for your attendance, there is financial support available.
 
Registration fees
Adult (16 and older): $60/night ($300 full camp)
Youth (12-15): $44/night ($220 full camp)
Child (3-11): $22/night ($110 full camp)
Under 2: No Charge

For more information or to register go to www.cwm.events
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lisa Neudorf, Director lisaneudorf@sasktel.net