To the Canada West Mission –
 
I want to let you know of an exciting opportunity just around the corner to participate in the 2020 European Peace Colloquy Webinar Series. This event takes place over several months from July 8 – October 11, 2020. Each presentation occurs at the same time (11 a.m. PDT/12 p.m. MDT/1 p.m. CDT) to accommodate a broad range of time zones.
​
Registration is free but required to distribute the Zoom meeting details. Register using this form. When a person registers, they will receive the Zoom link, meeting ID, and password for the presentation(s) they have registered for.

The colloquy has a wonderful line-up of presenters. You are encouraged to follow the link above, browse the offerings, and register for what interests you. View the poster here.
 
In grace and peace,
 
Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

​
​Sundays

BC Community of Christ Online Gathering
Hosted by the Vancouver Congregation
Sunday mornings
9:30am Pacific Time - Visiting and gathering 
10am Pacific Time - Service
Contact Chris Phelps at cphelps@shaw.ca for Zoom links. 
​
Inclusive Church
Hosted by the Toronto Congregation and Beyond the Walls Community
​Sundays at  12pm (EDT), 11am (CDT), 10am (MDT), 9am (PDT). For more information please visit their website,  Facebook page and YouTube channel to watch the service.

​Tuesdays

Virtual Visiting Fellowship
Tuesday mornings at 11am Central Time (Manitoba), 10am Mountain Time (Alberta and Saskatchewan), 9am Pacific Time (BC). Please send an email to steve@communityofchrist.ca to participate. For more details click here.

Wednesdays

Creating Connection presents: An Afternoon of Nurturing Spirit
Wednesdays from 3pm to 4:30pm Pacific Time. To join please visit the Creating Connection Meetup group.
 
Thursdays
​
Creating Connection presents: Coffee and Conversation
Thursdays from 10:30am to noon Pacific Time. To join please visit the Creating Connection Meetup group.
 
Virtual Visiting Fellowship
Thursday evenings at 9pm Central Time, 8pm Mountain Time, 7pm Pacific Time. Please send an email to steve@communityofchrist.ca to participate. For more details click here.

For a list of Online Ministries please click here.

May 29  Nurturing Friends & Family Virtual Campfire-Online
June 13-14 Spiritual Retreat with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith-Online
July 7-28 Junior High Camp (Tuesday Nights)-Online
​July 8-29 Junior Camp (Wednesday Nights)-Online
July 9-30 Senior High Camp (Thursday Nights)-Online
September 12-13  Canada West Mission e-Conference-Alternative arrangements pending
September 25-27  Women's (Prairies) Drumheller (TBC)
October  Women's Retreat (BC)-Postponed to 2021
October 9-11 Climate Change Colloquy-Online
​(Full, in-person event will be October 29-31, 2021)
October 25-27  Nurturing Silence Retreat Samish Island (TBC)
​
​​Dates are subject to change. 
Please register early to avoid cancellation of your event on Reggie.
www.cwm.events ​

Enrollment Information for eLearning Classes
 
The following credit classes will open for a limited enrollment June 29 - August 1: 
​ 

• Ministry of the Priest (MP304): 8 weeks

       August 1 - September 25

• Ministry of the Elder (MP305): 8 weeks

       August 1 - September 25 

• Introduction to Priesthood Ministry: 8 weeks

       August 1 - September 25
 
Class cost is $7.50  and should be paid before class via e-transfer to: ​Sam Smalldon sam@communityofchrist.ca 
 
To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canadian Registration Form" when registration opens. If you have any questions please contact David Lloyd. 

President Steve Veazey has released a video statement on racism and the response to it that is required by all members of the church. He shares some of his own experience in awakening to and confronting racial injustice. His challenge focuses on how racism denies the Worth of All Persons, one of the church’s Enduring Principles. Racism operates in opposition to the reign of God on Earth. And if we are FOR the Worth of All Persons and the reign of God on Earth—as Jesus calls us to be—then we must speak and act AGAINST racism in all its subtle and not-so-subtle forms. Please take a few minutes to watch this video and consider your personal response.

​Greetings –
 
Earlier this month church leaders in Canada were made aware of a unique opportunity to partner with the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) in a timely joint statement recognizing and marking the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) in the Canadian context. As the world continues to reel from George Floyd’s murder in the United States, it is imperative that we look inward at our own racial biases here in Canada to support positive change in our own communities.
 
With this opportunity to stand up for racial justice in mind, we distributed a survey to you via our mission centre mailing lists as well as our social media channels. You responded with swift and overwhelming support. We received over 100 responses from all across the country, and the results are in:

• 94% of respondents would be interested in local efforts to establish anti-Black racism as a priority in their congregations.
• 88% of respondents are supportive of Community of Christ in Canada joining this declaration.

 
We hear you, and I have asked Kerry Richards, our designated representative with CCC, to proceed in formally adding Community of Christ’s support to the joint statement.
 
Jonathan Schmidt, Intercultural Chair of the Canadian Council of Churches, had this to say about our process to survey membership:
 
“I really like the engagement you are doing across Canada--making this more than simply signing on as a leader, but also engaging your communities in conversation.”
 
We see value in- and are proud of- our culture of theocratic democracy. Thank you for helping us to bring this unique aspect of our tradition to the CCC.
 
While signing a document in and of itself is not enough, it is the beginning of a larger ecumenical conversation and actionable steps. By joining this declaration, we are making strides toward fulfilling our call to “…work tirelessly to tear down walls of separation and to build bridges of understanding.” (Doctrine and Covenants 162:6b) We seek reconciliation within our own denomination and through our communities across Canada, and we look forward to hearing from you about the unique ways in which you prioritize to combat anti-Black racism in your congregations.

With gratitude,
 
Art Smith
Field Apostle for Canada

​REGISTRATION CLOSED

I have had requests for additional information about the activities and schedule for CWM online camp along with feedback that many of our youth are tired of online meetings.
 
Our goal is to create a camp experience where the campers are interacting and participating in experience, not simply facing a screen. The activity packages being sent to each camper will contain activities which will be completed online with the other campers. In addition, there will be some activities which will be completed in the week between the virtual gatherings.

The activity packages will be sent out by June 29. You will receive an e-mail providing instructions for your pick-up point (or confirming delivery to your home).
 
Camp Schedule

Note: July 2 orientation has been cancelled and will take place at beginning of each Week 1 virtual gathering.
 
Junior Camp – Wednesday nights (7:30 to 8:30 mountain time)
Week 1 (July 8):  Cooking activity *gathering will be from 7:30 to 9:00 for orientation
Week 2 (July 15): Nature activity
Week 3 (July 22): Art activity
Week 4 (July 29): Handyman activity
 
Junior High Camp – Tuesday nights (7:30 to 9:00/9:30 mountain time)
Week 1 (July 7):  Paint Night
Week 2 (July 14): Nature activity
Week 3 (July 21): Nailed It (baking activity)
Week 4 (July 28): Give Back project
 
Senior High Camp – Thursday nights (7:30 to 9:30 mountain time)
Week 1 (July 9):  Paint Night
Week 2 (July 16): Nature activity
Week 3 (July 23): Nailed It (baking activity)
Week 4 (July 30): Give Back project

To answer some questions you might have:

• The online camps have been planned for all youth from BC to Manitoba.
• We have planned three separate online camps (Junior, Junior High and Senior High) for youth who have finished grade two through grade twelve.
• The online camps are an opportunity for youth who may not normally be able to attend camp to connect with other youth in Canada West.
• The online camps  are not simply online gatherings . Each camp will have online and offline activities.
• Registered campers will receive an activity package which will contain the instructions and supplies needed for the weekly camp activities.

​
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Lisa Neudorf
Camping and Retreat Specialist
lisa@communityofchrist.ca

Everyone,
 
As it is almost halfway through this fiscal year it is important to provide you with a brief update on the status of our 2020 budget and our budget management decisions to be effective July 1, 2020.
 
For quick reference, we started 2020 with an approved budget from the September 2019 Mission Conference. This was a balanced budget for $544K in expected revenues and associated expenditures.
 
Our revenue budget for 2020 was comprised of a stretch target of $150K from Congregational Support which was 50% more than in 2019. Our current forecast suggests this target will not be met and only $100K is expected for this fiscal year.
 
Donations of $64K as Contributions from Individuals does seem to be keeping pace with our 2020 revenue budget and so our forecast is for this revenue target to be met. We have also budgeted $10K from Investments as returns and we remain hopeful this target will be met by end of this fiscal year.
 
Revenue from Programs and Activities was budgeted for $201K in 2020. Our forecast is this will definitely not be achieved, however the counterbalance to this shortfall is there have also not been any significant expenditures for Programs and Activities so far for various reasons; and although this means we will miss on the revenue target this will likely be offset by a reduction (or savings) in the expenditure budget.
 
In 2020 we were planning to have $119K transferred from reserves to support the operating budget but based on the final accounting for 2019 we had greater use of our reserves available than was expected, so this reserve transfer is not recommended at this time.
 
In total, we forecast shortfalls in 2020 revenues and reserve transfers of $169K plus other expenditure savings of $51K for a total $220K in budget and amendments. This will reset our annual budget to $324K ($544K-$220K=$324K). Our objective with a balanced budget is to apply budget management so we remain sustainable for the remainder of 2020. This means we have made reductions to our operating costs by $220K in order to balance our budget at $324K for 2020.
 
To take us quickly back to what we knew in September 2019 when we set this 2020 budget, we realized we had a sustainability problem is 2021. We realized 2020 was not sustainable or feasible without using investment reserves. We forecasted 2021 would only be feasible if Donations, Contributions and Congregational Support maintained the 2020 budget levels. We realized we may need to take from Investment reserves in 2020 and again in 2021.
 
When we approved this 2020 budget we expected we had approximately $330K in Investment reserves and this would leave approximately $130K in reserve at the end of 2021, but only if this plan was successful. This plan has not been successful and our fiscal problem moved from the fourth quarter at December 31, 2020 to the second quarter at June 30, 2020 as a result of unmet budget revenue targets and spending more by the end of 2019 than expected. Our beginning Investments at the start of 2020 were $230K not $330K based on overspending in 2019.
 
In financial terms, the problem with deferring is avoiding the inevitable. The decisions we must contemplate now would be the same ones required at the end of fourth quarter December 31, 2020 anyway, based on our forecasts. Not following through on decisions now will mean using our Investment reserves as resources to postpone for no identifiable benefit. Our budget management guidelines and our accountabilities should not buy more time if nothing will change. In simple terms, we need to use resources to move us forward, not just maintain or avoid the inevitable.
   
In fiscal terms at June 30, 2020 we need to move to a sustainable and balanced budget in order to achieve our sustainable operations and programs at the end of 2020 and carry forward into 2021.
 
Therefore, effective July 1, 2020 our Mission Leadership Team have taken steps to reduce commitments for the remainder of the 2020 operating budget to half of $324K and resetting the budget for third and fourth quarters of 2020 (6 months) to a sustainable $162K as follows;

Our identifiable sustainable costs are:
Program Management                 $32K
Revitalization                                 $23K
Canadian Strategies                     $12K
Administration                               $10K
Programs (cost recovery)            $85K
Maximum Commitment                $162K

Our forecasted sustainable revenues are:
Programs (registrations)              $85K
Congregation Support                  $50K
Donations /Contributions             $27K
Maximum Opportunity                  $162K

These budget management changes will make a sustainable budget adjustment now in 2020 at June 30, 2020 and will enable a 2021 budget with the same elements to continue forward as a new base for sustainability. Further, this would protect our $230K in reserves for investments as much as possible for 2021 and the future.               
 
Certainly, if there are any questions, please contact me.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Sam Smalldon
Mission Centre Financial Officer
sam@communityofchrist.ca​

Finding God when the Signposts Fail: Yearning as path.

Our June Spiritual retreat was to take place at the Hills of Peace Campground.  Due to present circumstances the venue had to change. Welcome to the “Zoom” stage. It happened! Participants from Canada West, Canada East and the USA ‘gathered’.

To say the intent and purpose of the retreat was timely is an understatement. We were invited into an exploration of our deeper Spiritual longings, into that lingering hunger (past, present  & future).

How does one navigate this journey of life when things don’t make sense? Where our practises or answers are ineffective? “O God we call. From deep inside we yearn. For You.”

Charmaine and Tony Chvala-Smith lead us down several paths of ‘adventure’:

1. When signposts fail; Describing the inner terrain (learning to lament; Praying the Psalms).
2. Meandering through the wilderness; Recognizing God; (Lecto Divina-The road to Emmaus). Where have yearnings for God/ Christ/ Spirit been surfacing?
3. The darkness of Faith; Light and dark as partners.
4. Oasis in the desert: Planning pauses on the path.

Through meaningful script, visuals and practise our time together flew by and yet never seemed hurried. It was indeed a thought provoking, hope enhancing, and yes, a thirst for more journey. An air of openness seemed to allow us to explore our longing for the One who knows us and longs to be known. Poetry, song and sharing also played a part in the experience, exploration and ongoing discovery.  “Let this mind be in us. That is also in Jesus.”

In our final time together Sunday morning with the theme of ‘You are your own path’ we were encouraged and challenged onward. A beautiful scripture; Philippians 1: 3-8 verse by verse…. I know there were moments of ‘filled to overflowing’. A message of Love and belonging. That there are ways/paths for us ahead with reminders of God’s grace for us, for others, for all. We were blessed by the wonderful ministry of presence from Tony and Charmaine. A big thank you to Lisa Neudorf for piloting the electronics, to Gloria Stanton and Clarissa McLean for their gift of prayer and to everyone for their participation.  I search for, yes, I search; I search for ‘Home’, always for Home, unaware, of course, that I am already there.
​
Denise Esch and Brenda Senga

This occasional feature is intended to ensure that people across the mission centre are aware of the passing of persons in other congregations in a timely manner.
 
Information provided here is restricted to the name of the deceased person, the city where they lived (or congregation they attended), and the date of death (if it is provided). If an online version of a detailed obituary is available, the name of the person will be underlined indicating that it is a link to that source of information.

Please support in thought and prayer the family and friends of the following persons who passed away recently:

Phyllis Goodall, Lloydminster, AB (Ribstone Congregation) - June 26, 2020.

For a list of persons who have passed away earlier this year, please click here.

Learn about the fascinating World of Religions! 

Against the backdrop of the events and protests of the past few weeks, the recent lectionary theme of “Welcome the Stranger” challenges us—as disciples and as a church—to examine our assumptions and attitudes about those who are different from us, and to take concrete steps to educate ourselves about the diversity in our communities.

The upcoming Encounter World Religions Online Discovery Week (July 5-10) is a great opportunity to learn about the religious diversity of our neighbours, colleagues, and classmates. Register now or learn more about the week at the Encounter World Religions website.

Although we are still self-isolating, this is an opportunity to learn together, and congregations are encouraged to consider using their Education or Leadership Development budgets to sponsor members to attend. Contact Brian Carwana at encounter@worldreligions.ca for information about discounts for groups of attendees from the same congregation. This event is open to the public as well. All are welcome!

If you have ever wanted to take Encounter's Discovery Week but it was beyond your budget or clashed with summer camps, this new online format will bring the 2020 Discovery Week to you at the most affordable price ever. Click on the button "learn more" to take a look at the poster and share this information with friends who might be interested.

We hope you will consider joining us for this amazing virtual experience. Thank you for your consideration!

Stay tuned for online sessions with Jan Kraybill. To watch An Organ Concert for COVID-defined times by Jan Kraybill click here.

Purely by the accident of birth I am blessed to call Canada “my home and native land!”
 
I use the term “blessed” enthusiastically and yet with a sense of humility. I know that there are many other countries in the world whose residents experience a high standard of living and benefit from basically the same rights and freedoms I enjoy. I know there are many other countries which, for any number of reasons, are not in that same situation. I am humbled because I know that some residents of Canada do not have the same advantages and positive life experiences that I have known and loved. Constraints such as poverty, hunger, racism, discrimination and prejudice based on many factors, chronic disease and pain, physical and mental disabilities, unequal access to education and social assistance tools, and many other conditions prevent many of my fellow Canadians from enjoying all the benefits that this land has to offer.

The emphasis of my remarks over the last few weeks have been driven by this banner:

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter

To take these issues to heart will go a long way towards resolving some (certainly not all) of the other issues noted.
 
Despite these issues, there is so much to celebrate about our country on Canada Day. Our freedoms. Our democracy. (I know some may complain and nitpick on both of those things.) Our Indigenous, and French and English founding cultures (despite the conflicts that occasionally – regularly? – flair up). Our social diversity and generally celebrated multicultural ethic. Our “coast-to-coast-to-coast” geographic diversity: ocean coasts, old growth forests, mountains and glaciers, prairies, Canadian Shield, tundra, the arctic, boreal forests, great rivers and Great Lakes, farmland, small towns and villages, vibrant cities. Our strong government and social programs. Our equally strong private sector and wealth-producing businesses – large and small, corporate and “mom and pop.” Ten provinces and three territories across which all of us are free to live, to travel, to visit, to enjoy, and from which to experience life-enriching experiences and inspiration.
 
I have been fortunate to travel reasonably widely across the world. I have enjoyed all of the places I have visited – and a few where I have lived briefly. However, there is something about getting through that last Customs check and having the Border Services officer greet me with “Welcome home” (even though I may still be thousands of kilometers away from where I live) that brings a sense of pride in my country and those with whom I share it.
 
I hope that you have been able to mark Canada Day in some meaningful way. I hope you are able to give thanks to God for the blessings that you enjoy just because you live here.
 
As always, I pray for you God’s blessings of guidance, understanding, and peace in these challenging times.

​Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

1 June 2020
 
Dear friends in Canada,
 
We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who taught us that love of God and one another sustains us even in the darkest of times.
 
COVID-19 has propelled us into uncharted territory. Every aspect of our daily lives has been disrupted. Our desire to be together in community has led us to online ministry, and we have encountered new and familiar faces with a renewed presence of the Holy Spirit in our gatherings. We are discovering “a variety of ways in which spiritual community forms and flows as expressions of the gospel of peace.” (Words of Counsel to the Church, Stephen M. Veazey, April 13, 2019)
 
God is doing something new in our midst.
 
We are deeply grateful for the spirit of unity that has emerged in Canada as everyone has worked together to implement strategies to deal with the pandemic. As the reopening of churches closed by the COVID-19 emergency is considered, mission center presidents, in consultation with the supervising apostle, will determine when this will occur. The apostle will continue to work closely with mission center leaders to monitor and evaluate conditions and information.
 
Congregation leaders will receive reopening guidelines and reopening checklists and will be asked to participate in online training sessions offered by each mission centre before implementing any reopening plan. In Canada, we currently anticipate that in person gatherings in church sanctuaries will remain suspended until at least the end of August. Congregations should not circumvent these procedures as failure to comply with official guidelines would shift legal liability to the congregation itself in the event of lawsuits arising from someone contracting the virus in a noncompliant congregation. Please continue to carefully monitor communications from your mission center for updates regarding the process of returning to in-person gatherings.
 
We acknowledge that the situation remains fluid and the appropriate time to resume gatherings may vary somewhat across Canada. We affirm the principle of protecting the most vulnerable. We remain committed to doing the best we can to care for one another and make responsible choices and decisions for the welfare of all.
 
In the peace of Jesus Christ,

Art Smith,
Field Apostle for Canada

​Black Lives Matter           
Indigenous Lives Matter            
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
Are you weary of 2020 yet? Would you like to hit the “reset” button and start it all over again? Or do you want to push “fast forward” and just get through it to see if 2021 can be any better?
 
Have you found yourself conflicted over the day’s headlines – whether they have to do with societal response to COVID-19, or societal upheaval over issues of race, or other large social and political questions of the moment? Is it clear to you what your response should be as a Christian or as a member of Community of Christ? Do you see, as I do, people arguing both sides of an issue and each invoking morality and informed opinion as supporting their side?
 
Who are you looking to for guidance and direction? Political leaders? Scientists? Doctors? Lawyers? Your church leaders? Other spiritual leaders? Media or Hollywood or sports personalities? How about a random person on social media who says they have the answer(s)?
 
Have you noticed I have done nothing but ask you questions? Are you annoyed with me yet?
 
If you don’t like my questions, you may not like my statements either. Sometimes God has difficulty in breaking through to us with the spiritual guidance that we desire and expect. The theme scripture from the lectionary for this past Sunday was Matthew 10:24-39. It illustrates this faith conundrum very well. You may know it. These are the verses where Jesus tells his followers to “not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” but rather to “fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (v. 28) Then he challenges our perceptions of him as a person of peace with verse 34: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He goes on to describe that conflict can be expected among close family members and that his followers need to love him more than they love their parents. It is a challenging and frankly frightening few verses. The scarier thing may be that we are living in such a time where there is much to fear and cause conflict between persons who are otherwise respectful and loving of each other.
 
The on-line worship resources for last Sunday conclude by observing that “Jesus does not say to love someone instead of him, but to love no one more than you do him. … [F]ollowing him means we can’t set aside the gospel for another relationship.”
 
So – do you feel better yet? Me neither. This life of faith – of continually seeking understanding – is hard. And Jesus never promised us it would be easy. If it is of any comfort, I am right there with you trying to find my way through the challenges of our day and time.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of guidance, understanding, and peace in these challenging times.
 
Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

​Join us for an online lecture series led by Seminary Director, Zac Harmon-McLaughlin. Every Monday night @ 7pm CDT via ZOOM, starting June 8. Following dates: June 15, 22 and 29. 

As the demographics of Christianity rapidly change, many people are asking the question, “What will the church look like in the future?” In the last 30 years, the fastest growing segment of the population have been a group known by one of the following names, “unaffiliated”, “nones”, or “spiritual but not religious”. 

​In this online lecture series we will explore some of the demographic data, societal implications, Community of Christ Ecclesiology, Ambiguity & Curiosity, Principle based Theology, Modernity & Post-Modernity, and ultimately, what a Transformative Community of Christ Ecclesiology looks like as the world changes. 

This is a free event. We welcome any donations you would like to share. You can donate to the seminary here: www.graceland.edu/giving. When there direct your gift to “other” then write in “Community of Christ Seminary". Your donations will go toward continuing the important mission of Graceland University’s Community of Christ Seminary. 

If you have any questions please contact zmclaugh@graceland.edu 

​Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
I mentioned in last week’s “Moment” that I had attended an anti-Black racism rally in Edmonton. Many banners and signs at that rally contained the acronym “BIPOC” meaning: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. The phrase is a recognition that our society has multiple issues to deal with. The primary focus of the demonstrations of the last few weeks have been on calling out attitudes and actions that demonstrate personal racism and systemic racism embedded in our society against persons of African heritage. Those signs and the comments of some speakers reminded us that we also need to confront racism that is particularly deeply embedded in Canadian culture concerning our persons of Indigenous identity, as well as many others more generally described as Persons of Colour. My friends, there is much work to be done!
 
As other tragic events have unfolded over the past couple of weeks involving the tragic and violent deaths of other Black and Indigenous persons, I have felt discouragement and profound sadness. How will we ever find our way out of this? How can we meaningfully and practically begin removing societal and structural barriers to the full and unfettered participation in our society by all persons regardless of skin colour?
 
Jesus told the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) to illustrate that persons outside the dominant society should be recognized and honoured. Jesus miraculously healed many people in his ministry. One account showed that he would assist even persons aligned with the occupying Roman army (healing of the Centurion’s servant, Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54). Another actually illustrated that Jesus could be confronted by a personal prejudice and respond and correct himself (healing of the daughter of the Syrophoenician [Gentile] woman, Mark 7:24-30). The scriptural record of the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5-12) revealed that the Spirit of God was made available to persons from across the known world including those considered to be barbarians (Parthians) and those from the occupying nation (Romans).
 
In all of these accounts there is no record that the principle people involved were actually “converts” to Jesus’ teachings. But they were all intentionally included and not excluded from the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Surely, by extension, we must know that we are to extend the blessings and privileges of our society to all those who are a part of it. In today’s environment and historic moment, we are being challenged to be inclusive of those peoples upon who’s backs so much of our societal wealth and privilege has been built through the shames of slavery, colonialism, and abuses too numerous and grievous to begin listing here.
 
I pray God’s blessings of guidance, understanding, and peace in these challenging times.
 
Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

Dear friends,
​
In the last couple of years Community of Christ in Canada has been participating as an observer with the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC). While we have not yet been admitted as full members, our engagement has been highly meaningful. We have been building good ecumenical relationships.
 
We now have the opportunity, as an observer at the Council table to add our signature to a joint statement recognizing and marking the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) in the Canadian context. The International Decade for People of African Descent was declared by the United Nations in 2015 to last through 2024.

For more information, we encourage you to review the following resources:

• Background to the UN International Decade for People of African Descent
• Invitation: Canadian Ecumenical Initiative to mark
  The International Decade for People of African Descent
• Joint Statement
• General Information on IDPAD  

​By joining other churches in Canada in this joint statement we would be expressing our desire to join them in asking the CCC to make anti-racism, specifically anti-Black racism, and the goals of the UN IDPAD, a priority.
 
I believe that this is an opportunity for Community of Christ members and congregations in Canada to prophetically respond to these matters with creative engagement as individuals, groups, congregations, and jurisdictions.
 
As Community of Christ Canadian leadership contemplate signing this joint statement, we would be interested in hearing from you. Please complete this survey by Wednesday, June 17, 2020.