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Black Lives Matter Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter This is the 8th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1 Today, “We Share… Basic Beliefs.” Basic Beliefs are “comprehensive, rational explanations of what the church holds to be true, arranged in categories that are part of the broader Christian tradition. In contrast, “Enduring Principles” (covered last week) “are the underlying truths and affirmations that shape the personality of the church.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 26) “The good news of Jesus Christ is at the center of the faith and beliefs of Community of Christ.” (Sharing …, p. 33) This is of primary importance. We hold firmly to our belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. These are the most basic beliefs that connect us to the two millenia of history of the Christian church. Statements of other basic beliefs draw on these foundations and the complementary foundations of scripture. Each member’s experience of these beliefs will be different. Our beliefs are an “open invitation to all to embark on the adventure of discipleship,” to “seek God’s continuing guidance,” and to “encourage all people to study the scriptures and think about their experiences as they engage in the life of the church.” (Sharing …, p. 33) Statements of our Basic Beliefs are made under the following headings:
It may seem like a long list. Without a statement in each area there would be a lack of comprehensiveness in the total description of our beliefs. Each statement can be seen to build on others which creates a basic “systematic theology.” Members will find that they will give more importance to some statements than to others. What will be particularly meaningful to one person’s faith may be less important in another’s faith. Thus, we have a church with diversity of opinion, thought, and belief that is fully acceptable within the overall unity of the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.
Full statements of each belief may be found on the Community of Christ website and in the book Sharing in Community of Christ, pp. 33-38. In future weeks we will write specifically about our beliefs in Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, and Scripture. (Next week: “Stewardship”) If you would like me to address any other Basic Belief in detail, please send me an email and I will be happy to respond. For more information about our Basic Beliefs, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President steve@communityofchrist.ca  3 Day Online Discovery Event: October 14, 21 and 28.
Here's what it includes:
-Summary pages of the class presentations -Pre-class videos to watch. Short clips totaling perhaps 15 mins per class to show ritual, etc. -All sessions recorded and available for a week afterwards to fit your schedule. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Have a question? Email Brian Carwana at brian@worldreligions.ca Religions Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter This is the 7th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1 Today, “We Share… Enduring Principles.” These are not the same as “Basic Beliefs” of the church – which we will discuss next week. Basic Beliefs might be seen as more “rational” statements about what Community of Christ believes which establish our place as a denomination within the greater Christian Church. “Enduring Principles” may appeal to our more emotional side. They “define the essence, heart, or soul of church identity, mission, and message. They describe the personality of the church as expressed through its participants, congregations, and affiliate organizations throughout the world.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 27) There are nine principles:
Descriptions of each principle can be found in Sharing in Community of Christ, beginning on page 28, or on the Community of Christ website. Each principle is described in a few sentences. The last sentence or two in each description begins with “We…” to indicate our sense of calling to live up to the principle and to describe the response that we believe is required to fulfill its ideal. A short essay such as this one could easily be dedicated to each Enduring Principle! The principles are not numbered. There is no intended “hierarchy” of importance of the principles. People may express one or more as their “favourite” or “most meaningful.” Mostly, however, people will refer to each principle when it is appropriate for application to a current and pressing spiritual, moral, ethical, or social question or situation. The foundation of every principle can be traced to “God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and continuing presence through the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed by scripture.” (Sharing, p. 27) As we more frequently and consistently apply the Enduring Principles to our lives, and as we use them to help inform our efforts to improve our neighbourhoods, communities, and nations, we can gradually move the world closer to the ideals of Zionic community and help bring the Kingdom of God closer to reality on earth. For more information about our Enduring Principles, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President steve@communityofchrist.ca Join us online! Saturday, October 24 8:30 AM-8:30 PM Pacific Time. Click on the buttons below to register and view schedule.  See below some tips for creating a Worship Centre or Altar at home.     Join us this Wednesday for the screening of There's Something In The Water, followed by a panel discussion with producer Dr. Ingrid Waldren, Dr. David Suzuki, and frontline activists. Panelists:
When: Wednesday, October 21, 3 p.m. PST / 6 p.m. EST What: Screening of There's Something In The Water followed by panel discussion  As a result of the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, long overdue conversations about environmental racism and the intersection of racism and environmental justice are actively taking place across Canada. This documentary film offers an opportunity to bring this important conversation to our community and amplify the voices of the activists on the ground in parts of Canada facing various threats against their rights and the environment. Based on Ingrid Waldron's incendiary study, the film follows Ellen Page as she travels to rural areas of the province that are plagued by toxic fallout from industrial development. As did Waldron, the filmmakers discover that these catastrophes have been precisely placed, all in remote, low income — and very often Indigenous or Black — communities. As the filmmakers observe, your postal code determines your health.
If you cannot attend, please consider donating instead. In these challenging times, your support is more vital than ever. Thank you for helping to protect nature. Stay healthy. Stay Well. The David Suzuki Foundation Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter Today, “We Share… a Mission.” Christ’s Mission is Our Mission! We take that cue from Jesus’ reading from the book of Isaiah as quoted in Luke 4:18-19 (NRSV): The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Many years ago, Community of Christ adopted a mission statement that many church members still know from memory and that points the way to Jesus and his mission: We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace. The church has been “growing into” that mission statement ever since. Five “mission initiatives” have been prescribed for the church that help us focus our efforts on what matters most for us to be about in our communities. More information can be found for each one by following the links:
It is critical to understand that each of us as individuals must be Christ’s hands and feet to contribute to carrying out his mission. The short phrase that started the first paragraph above really is more accurately stated as: “Christ’s Mission, Our Mission, YOUR Mission.” In recent years, many individuals have made it a part of their personal spiritual practice or prayer life to regularly pray the “Mission Prayer” and directly invite God’s guidance into their lives: God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen. I invite you to make Christ’s mission your mission. Community of Christ seeks to share that mission and to make it as real as possible wherever church members live and work and serve in their community. How will you respond? For more information about our mission, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs. Extra Information: Be sure to let your voice be heard in an early stage of consultation about the future of Community of Christ in Canada. Check out Apostle Art Smith’s sermon from September 27 (fast-forward to minute 35:29), plus his related conversation with Seventy John Hamer of Toronto, Ontario, and respond to this questionnaire. Thank you for your interest. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President steve@communityofchrist.ca  Enrollment Information for eLearning Classes
The following credit classes will open for a limited enrollment September 21-October 17:
Class cost is $7.50 and should be paid before class via e-Transfer to: cwm_mcfo@communityofchrist.ca To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canadian Registration Form". Also, for a limited number of students, we'll be offering the MEADS class on "Community of Christ History" taught live by John Hamer on Monday, November 9 through Friday November 13 from 7:30-10:00 PM (EST). The price is $35 and you can enroll here and click on the "Canadian Registration Form".  The Canada West Mission Centre wishes to extend a very large “THANK YOU” to everyone who supported our recent conference in any way. It was a complex event that could not be successful without contributions and assistance from a large number of people. We recognize in the following list those who contributed in the ways mentioned. Thank you so much for your efforts!
General Planning/Preparation: Steve Thompson Sandra Rodriguez Debra Donohue Lisa Neudorf Parker Johnson Sam Smalldon Specific Components: Program Brochure-Sandra Rodríguez Website, Promotion, Publicity-Parker Johnson and Sandra Rodriguez Coffee and Conversation Session-Debra Donohue “Metamorphosis” Session-Steve Thompson “Unprecedented Musical Event!”-Joey Williams Afternoon of Nurturing Spirit/Singing into the Silence-Debra Donohue, Joey Williams, Vickie and Doug MacArthur Business Meeting: Planning/Chair-Steve Thompson Chair Support-Jeremy Thompson Documents-Sandra Rodriguez Secretary-Lisa Neudorf Parliamentarian-Mike Mitchell Greetings-Art Smith, Dar Shepherdson and John Glaser Prayers-Shirley Smith and Kat Goheen “We Remember” video-Sandra Rodriguez “We Celebrate” slideshow-Sandra Rodriguez “Virtual Camp" video-Jahnelle Geddes Reports: Steve Thompson-MCP Sandra Rodriguez-Administrative Assistant Sam Smalldon-MCFO Debra Donohue-Creating Connection Director Parker Johnson-Church Mission & Young Adults Specialist Lisa Neudorf-Camping and Retreat Specialist Chris Phelps-Online Reunion Linda Klughart-Recorder Rod Downing-Canadian Peace & Justice Comm. Anita Bates-Historian Jim Fish-Samish Campground Jesse Levitt-HOP Campground All Delegates Worship Service: Planner-Lisa Neudorf Presider/Host-Steve Thompson Pianist-Brenda Senga The “Vancouver Ensemble”: Kat and Jon Goheen, Savannah Goheen, Charlotte Goheen, Amelia Phelps and Katelyn Phelps CWM Singers: Emelia Goheen Jeanny Jacobsen Marilyn Smith Marian Thompson Steve Thompson Isabelle Williams Nicola Wood Doug MacArthur Scripture and Response: Lanette Vawter Mike Bock Message: Joey Williams Communion Elements: Vickie MacArthur Stan Freer Denise Esch DGR: Dar Shepherdson Prayer for Peace/Sending Forth: Art Smith “Beyond the Walls” Support: John Hamer Leandro Palacios Michael Karpowicz Parker Johnson Mary Jean Belrose Christian Vago With any list of this length we run the risk of missing someone. If you are aware of others who should be added to the list, please contact sandra@communityofchrist.ca Community Spirit CAN'T be cancelled! Thanks for being part of Canada West Mission Conference Online 2020.       Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter Lives of People of Colour Matter Today, “We Share… a Sacred Story.” “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth…” -Genesis 1:1 NRSV “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way…” -Matthew 1:18 “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…” -I Nephi 1:1 “Hearken, O ye people of my church…” -Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 1:1a Our sacred story begins in four places at four different times in four different records of scripture. The first verse of Genesis begins the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) which ultimately tells the story of God’s people of the covenant over many centuries. The first chapter of Matthew begins the New Testament and the story of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ followed by the records of the persons who first shared his teachings with the ancient world. The first verse of the Book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon becomes our entrance into a multi-faceted story of people following God’s direction through times of change, challenge, war, peace, and ultimately the ministry of Jesus in a land far removed from Jerusalem. And, finally, the opening verse of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants begins the nearly 200-year-old (and counting) prophetic journey of Community of Christ from its humble beginnings in upper New York state to a world-wide denomination present in over 60 countries. “The sacred story is the all-encompassing saga of God’s redeeming action in the world. … The story of Community of Christ is part of a much larger sacred story that is rooted in Christian history, including the Hebrew tradition from which Christianity emerged.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 17) In this sense “We Share” this long sacred history of religious faith with the rest of the larger Christian church. Further, “the story of the church is one of unusual faith, vision, and creativity in response to God’s call.” (p. 18) In this sense, we share a unique sacred story with people to show God’s continuing revelatory, and prophetic leadership in our movement. “Do not fail to listen attentively to the telling of the sacred story, for the story of scripture and faith empowers and illuminates.” -Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 161:5 For more information about our story, please contact me or contact a congregation near you. Extra Information: Be sure to let your voice be heard in an early stage of consultation about the future of Community of Christ in Canada. Check out Apostle Art Smith’s sermon from September 27 (fast-forward to 35:29), plus his related conversation with Seventy John Hamer of Toronto, Ontario, and respond to this questionnaire. Thank you for your interest. I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times. Steve Thompson Canada West Mission Centre President steve@communityofchrist.ca |
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