Hope

“Hope is the thing with feathers” says poet Emily Dickinson, to which poet Caitlin Seida replies “Hope Is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat” , to which I reply  “Caitlin, have you met seagulls?” 

Hope, I’ve learned, has a sense of humour.
 
In October I attended an online retreat for contemplatives where the theme was Hope. We talked about both of the poems above, as well as where the idea of where hope comes from, and what different traditions teach about hope. Advent, we often say, is a season of hope. Hope for what is to come, a sense of anticipation for what is about to happen, the promise of a pregnancy, looking towards the unknown with some optimism.
 
The most interesting thing I find myself returning to from that retreat is the idea that hope, while a verb, isn’t necessarily something that we have to do or strive for. Instead, hope finds us. Like that bird or sewer rat or sky rat (aka seagull), hope shows up when we least expect it, it appears out of nowhere, and hope’s resilience leaves an impression on our souls. Hope, it turns out, (or Elpis as she was known to the Greeks) was hidden in an unbreakable home just under the rim of Pandora’s jar. (Did you know Pandora opened a jar, not a box?! I only learned this recently, so fascinating!) In Pandora’s story all that was left after the bad things escaped was hope, stuck under the rim, unbreakable, tucked away at the threshold.

Hope, it turns out, will find you when you have come to your limit. Hope will find you when you live on the brink (Monika testifies of this beautifully in a recent Herald article here). Hope will find you when you are inside of a threshold, when you are in a transition.

Hope requires nothing of us except to be open to her when she appears. Hope rarely shows up in the way we want or expect it to. The Hope of the World certainly did not come to Mary, a young, unmarried, woman in an expected way.
 
So I invite you to be alert and awake to hope this season, for it may catch you unaware. You don’t need to go seeking out hope, you don’t need to clench your jaw and grit your teeth to be hopeful. Instead, trust that hope is there, waiting in the alleyway or inside the brim of that burnt pot of mashed potatoes. Hope will surprise and delight you, just like a baby king did over 2000 years ago.

​​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon
[email protected]
​[email protected]
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Enrollment Information for Online Classes
  
We are pleased to announce that the next classes through the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) through Graceland University and the Community of Christ Seminary. Along with the Ministry and Priesthood classes, we will be offering our first “Christian Ministry Certificate” course in the same vein as past “MEADS” courses. We will offer 5 of these classes each year and will provide the certificate after completing 10 classes.  
 
Upcoming classes (opening for enrollment in early November) 
 
Spring A Session: 

• Introduction to Pastor Ministry:  8-weeks, January 9 – March 4 - $25 
• Ministry of the Disciple:  8-weeks, January 9 – March 4 - $25 
• Christian Ministry Certificate Course: 
  • Introduction to Christian Theology: Dr. David N. Anderson, DMin – Jan. 9 – March 4 – mix of online and one live session per week - $100 

 
CIMM offers non-credit bearing continuing education units (CEU’s) that focus on priesthood development, leadership development, and theological education. These CEU’s do not lead to a degree. To enroll or view the schedule of upcoming classes, go to our website. 
 
Blessings,
​
I. David Lloyd
Director, Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM)

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon
[email protected]
​[email protected]
[email protected]

​This summer I went to a beaded spider workshop with a Storyteller from the Okanagan Nation. She outlined the story of Spider as she passed around a series of spider bodies that she had assembled - beads of all different colours and sizes. I quickly found the one that spoke to me, so excited to match it with the smaller beads for the legs! Once we had selected our bodies she stopped suddenly and said, "Now think of the person you will give this to. In our Nation we always consider how to share what is precious to us." I was floored! I was already attached to this potential spider. So I detangled myself from this dismay and wondered who it was actually for...the answer became clear! Of course it was for a new friend that I was working with that week. With deep humility I selected tiny beads and threaded them onto the long legs over that next hour, thinking of her the whole time. It was such a pleasure to give her this precious creation, knowing that I had made as if it were for myself. This is a photo of it on her dresser, where it continues to connect us in the memory of that week together.
 
Our generosity cycle is coming to the close for this year, but let me offer that there is always room for a deeper learning about giving. When we offer what is most precious to us to someone else, it becomes sacramental. There is always room in our hearts for more love, room in the world to share more beauty. We really can let go of some of our attachments and touch into the reality of loving our neighbour as ourselves. The truth is: that beautiful beaded spider could not have given me more joy if I had kept her, and I will keep this memory close to my heart. Let us be guided by love.

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon
[email protected]
​[email protected]
[email protected]

As we move into November, it is the time of remembrance. 
 
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed by Canadians and other members of the Commonwealth since the end of the First World War in order to remember all those who have fought and died in the line of duty to keep us free.
 
We are reminded of the generosity of all who served the country and the world in trying to bring about peace. As we move forward, we see a world in conflict.  Many places in the world are at war or have internal conflict.  Many of you have given generous financial assistance to countries like Ukraine.  Others have offered household items and assistance to refugees.  Acts of generosity from people who want to Pursue Peace on Earth and Abolish Poverty and End Needless Suffering.
 
This last Sunday, I was reminded that we need to pause and remember those who have recently passed on from this earth.  More importantly, I was reminded that those who have suffered those losses need to be remembered too!  I have fallen down on caring for my local community.  Caring for our community means just that.  I thought I had a generous heart but my actions do not follow through.  I need to stop and listen and think about others in my community who I need to contact to sometimes just say Hi!
​
I want my generosity to include support for those in need who  sometimes don’t show that there is a need.

​Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon
[email protected]
​[email protected]
[email protected]

The Hills of Peace Campground Association is seeking a Campground Caretaker. This position will be of interest to someone who:

• Has an interest in maintaining the grounds at their most attractive level possible
• Can interact easily with people including: camp users, trades people and contractors, and the Board of Directors
• Ideally is familiar with the campground from attending events in past years

This is a paid position. Contract terms will be negotiated with the successful candidate. A more detailed position description is available here. ​Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

Expressions of interest should be directed to: 
​Noela Inions, President, Board of Directors
at [email protected]

I was generous to myself for the weekend.  I really needed and enjoyed the time spent at the retreat. 

Creating Connection is one of the programs from Community of Christ.  All programs cost to implement and the fees applied to the retreats and camps need to cover the cost of putting them on.  All are welcome to join the programs and should not be denied the opportunity to attend.  Through the generosity of others with financial assistance, subsidy programs are available. 

Youth camps and family reunions have a fee attached and all are asked to register.  The fees cover the cost of food, accommodations, class materials and craft supplies.  Hills of Peace and Samish Island have year round expenses that need to be covered as well.  The maintenance of these properties is something all of us can help with through financial generosity and through physical efforts at work parties.

Our pilgrimage to next year’s camps and retreats begins now. Consider how you can mindfully set aside resources - time, talents, and treasure - so you can be prepared to take part in this meaningful ministry. At these gatherings we come together as a mission centre to experience unity in diversity, learn and grow.

​We love our campgrounds! Consider making a donation to sustain your campground. E-transfer funds & write a cheque.