Canada West Mission Centre Statement #4 On Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)

​March 25, 2020
Canada West Mission Centre Statement #4
On Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)
 
I hope that all of you are staying safe and being well. It is amazing to me how quickly any variation on that greeting has become so common to us. Yet it is an expression of that which is most important to us as we find our way through this COVID-19 environment.
 
The most important update since last Wednesday is that our Community of Christ leadership sent word late last week to extend the suspension of services and other church activities through to Friday, May 1. This means we are really settling into an unfamiliar routine of NOT going to church on Sunday. It also means that we have had some mission centre activities affected for the first time, specifically with the postponement of the Nurturing Justice Retreat at Samish Campground, the Creating Connection Facilitators Retreat in Chilliwack, Samish Island work week, and the intended meeting of the Hills of Peace Campground Board of Directors converted from an in-person meeting to a Zoom video meeting.
 
I hope you are finding alternate ways to connect with each other in place of our weekly services and activities. I have heard from different people how they have felt good about making phone calls to people they were missing from church, and I have also heard from others how much they have appreciated receiving such phone calls. This is not a difficult thing to do! Please feel free to pick up a phone and make a call – or two or three. I know that the number of viewers for Edmonton congregation’s worship service was way up last Sunday. I also understand that Vancouver experimented with an online Bible Study followed by a worship experience. At least one other congregation has told me they are investigating an online option for Sunday mornings to include their members and keep them connected.
 
This week was the first attempt at what we have called the Canada West Mission Centre “Virtual Visiting Fellowship.” Our first session went very well and included people from BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. You will see a notice about this elsewhere. If you are interested in being involved in this, see the notice and then email me to be included: steve@communityofchrist.ca
 
Here are two good links for you to explore. First is a video of President Steve Veazey and a "Spiritual Check-In". Second is a resource that he refers to, a "A Spiritual Check-In for You and for Your Community". Check them both out.
 
I have gotten away from the pattern I set in the first couple of these updates to reinforce things that were happening at our government levels that were affecting us. I believe that most of you are keeping up on those things without me telling you. If you really need an update, email me or call me and we can talk.
 
My continuing prayer is that you are doing your best to stay safe and be well. May I also suggest that we look after each other to the extent we possibly can.
 
Steve Thompson
Mission Centre President