 From Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Greetings! It is delightful to tour around Atlantic Canada while proclaiming Community of Christ values through my T shirts! I hope you can find creative ways to share joy, hope, love, and peace wherever your summer finds you.
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 This year we have a historic opportunity to shape the future of Community of Christ in Canada together. Apostle Shannon McAdam has submitted the resolution proposing the creation of a unified Canadian Mission Centre, bringing congregations together from coast to coast.
The resolution reads: Canada Mission Centre creation Resolved, that Canada West Mission Centre desires to join with Canada East Mission Centre as one Canada Mission Centre effective January 1, 2026, upon approval by the appropriate governing bodies under Community of Christ bylaws; and be it further Resolved, that the Canada West Mission Centre budget be subsumed into the Canada Mission Centre budget, which shall be approved at a Canada Mission Centre conference to be held before February 28, 2026; and be it further Resolved, that Canada Mission Centre leadership shall be sustained at a Canada Mission Centre conference to be held before February 28, 2026. Submitted by Field Apostle Shannon McAdam We invite you to be part of this important moment. Please register today to participate either in person in Chilliwack, BC (September 12-14) or online via Zoom. Conference highlights include:
 By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President From all accounts, Youth Camp at Hills of Peace was a great week filled with fun, fellowship, and bonding together. All were welcomed and included as part of the whole. Campers enjoyed a variety of interest classes, including drama, home electrical basics, outdoor cooking, and tie-dye crafting, as well as in-depth discussions on a range of topics. Friendly camp cup competitions added to the spirit of fun and connection. There were many incredible highlights along with spiritually enriching moments. A special highlight was the baptism and confirmation of Jada Middleton on Tuesday morning—a sacred and simple service at the lake, followed by confirmation in the large chapel. The week included both new campers and those who return every year to this sacred, beloved space. This was equally reflected in the talented and dedicated staff. The camp theme was Lead. We are witnessing the growth of capable young leaders—not only for the future, but for right now. To reiterate the themes of our summer camps: CHOOSE HOPE in ACTION and LEAD!  By Marian Thompson, Family Camp Director Family Camp at Hills of Peace was held August 2–7, 2025, with 59 campers in attendance for the long weekend. After the weekend there were some people leaving and some joining, so we averaged 45–50 for the remainder of the week. This is an increase from the last three years. We were privileged to have Apostle Shannon McAdam as guest minister along with Vonda DenBoer and Kristin Parmera from World Accord. An impromptu silent auction raised $4,328 for World Accord. The main thing I would like to highlight this year came from trying something new. After the COVID years, Hills of Peace had trouble getting enough children to run a Junior Camp, even though we had staff in place. We decided to choose hope by running a camp within a camp. We were able to lower the age by one year because at night the children returned to their parents to sleep. This had the added benefits of not needing counsellors and drawing the parents of the children to stay for the week along with their children. The parents had long stretches of the day to participate in the Family Camp program. Junior Camp director Gwyn Beer, along with a variety of helpers, provided a special program for all the junior campers. There were nine children between ages 7 and 11, with two only able to stay for the weekend and two joining at the end of the weekend. The campers joined with the Family Camp until after breakfast, morning camp chores, and part of an intergenerational morning activity. They then had their own activities until joining the Family Camp for swimming time in the afternoon. Part of the Junior Camp program involved learning how to be campfire leaders. The children built the campfires (some were very creative due to rain), helped lead the adults in songs, and participated in skits. Junior Camp was a big success as part of Family Camp! Much positive feedback was given by all for this new model. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to get together with old friends and make some new ones. We felt blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit as we built community through worship, work, and play.  This year’s Canada West Mission Centre Conference is not just another gathering. We will have the historic opportunity to vote on the future of Community of Christ in Canada — a decision that will shape our shared mission for years to come. Your voice matters, whether you join us in person at the Chilliwack congregation or online via Zoom — but in either case, you must register to take part.
Registration is more than a formality — it’s how we plan for meals, meeting space, and smooth conference logistics. Our cooks, hosts, and tech teams can only prepare if they know who’s coming. Please help us by registering today. Weekend highlights Friday, Sep 12: 80’s trivia and dress-up night hosted by World Accord, followed by a young adult/older youth activity Saturday, Sep 13: Dinner with The Maybelles and photo fun Sunday, Sep 14: Beyond the Walls will stream live from Chilliwack with John and Leandro. The highlight of the service will be the ordination of Gwyn Beer to the office of Seventy by President of Seventy Karin Peter. See the full schedule and register today on the Conference Hub.  From Shannon McAdam
Becky and Shannon both got to spend a lovely week with our CWM family at Hills of Peace in Alberta. There were many memorable classes, worships, and campfires. Even the chipmunks enjoyed hanging out at the chapel! We hope you are finding time this summer to connect with those dear to you and choose hope!  A postcard from Kat Goheen
Greetings from Naramata! The sun, the water, and the wind have blessed this community this week. How wonderful to share music with yet another community of good will. Blessings to all of you enjoying Family Camp and Kimtah/Atsaken!  The world feels heavy right now, doesn’t it? Every headline screams at us. Social media tells us how to feel about everything—who to love, who to hate, what side to pick. It’s loud. It’s exhausting. And honestly, sometimes it feels like everything is broken.
So what do we do with that? How do we hold on to what matters when the ground keeps shifting? That’s what this weekend is about. Here and Now. It’s about stepping away from the noise for a couple of days and asking real questions together: • Do my values line up with my actions? • Am I living in a way that feels true and authentic? • How do we show up for each other in ways that actually help? You don’t need to have answers. You don’t need to have your life together. You just need to show up and be willing to connect with others asking the same types of questions. We’ll share meals, conversations, and space to breathe. We’ll laugh. Maybe cry a little. Our guest minister, Rev. Dr. Linda Stanbridge from Michigan, will join us with stories and wisdom for these messy, beautiful, uncertain times. If you’ve been longing for something real—connection that doesn’t require perfection - this is for you. Come. Just as you are. This year’s theme: Here and Now Ages: 18 - 45 Contact: Andy MacArthur [email protected] |
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