 By Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
“Welcome to Haven, a place of spiritual refreshment, light in a time of darkness.” This is part of the introduction every Wednesday night for our online Haven meditation, now in its fifth year. The structure is simple: music, a poem, subtle hospitality, and meditation. Cameras and microphones off, each person can be themselves and slow down for thirty minutes before bed. Five years ago, I was co-pastor in Vancouver, spending all my pastoral resources navigating lockdowns and hybrid worship requirements. I was dismayed to realize deep into the fall of 2020 that our congregational life had shrunk to Sunday mornings, with our vibrant “Listening for the Soul” groups having been put on extended hold, and other monthly potlucks and holiday gatherings suspended. But what more could I do? How could I ask for extra leadership from others, also weary from endless pivoting? The still, small voice showed me that I could offer an evening online gathering after my weekly Wednesday rehearsal. I could make it sustainable with a simple structure. I could offer what fed me in my spiritual direction training: beauty through poetry, music, and silence. Heart over head. I realized that when nights were longest was when I needed this ministry myself, so I offered Haven first to Vancouver congregation, then also to the Mission Centre, then also to Creating Connections. Now, as then, we meet from the end of Daylight Saving Time in November until Lent, with a break over Christmas holidays. Every week, my experience of seeing screens enter the room is one of joy and subtle hospitality. I hold space and feel deep gratitude in my heart for each one who enters, not seeing their faces and probably never meeting most in person. Even more than Sunday worship, I release the experience of each person, not knowing how any element will land and trusting Spirit to do the work of healing and holding through this virtual yet intentional experience. What brings them here? That’s not my business! Join us for Haven on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. MT / 9:30 p.m. CT / 10:30 p.m. ET, and feel free to invite others. Send me a message at [email protected] and I’ll send this year’s link to you. Blessings to you in this season of the year!  Take 20 minutes each week to breathe, listen, and be still. Haven returns November 5 and continues through February 11, meeting Wednesdays at 7:40 p.m. PT / 8:40 p.m. MT / 9:40 p.m. CT / 10:40 p.m. ET (except December 24 and 31).
A contemplative experience for the dark season, Haven invites you to turn off your camera and enjoy a moment of music, poetry, and meditation. Please contact Kat at [email protected] for the Zoom link. We’d love to feature your poetry during Haven. If you have a short, inspirational poem (up to 20 lines), please email it to Kat and mention if you would like to read it live when you send your poem.  Photo courtesy of Stephen Thompson. By Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Our 2025 Canada West Mission Conference is complete! There are so many highlights to share — from friends joining both online and in person from all four of our provinces, to inspiring music, and the wise words shared in our business deliberations and worship experiences. We shared sacraments together around the world through the faithfulness of the Beyond the Walls ministry, welcoming two new outreach ministers serving as Seventy. On a personal note, it was a joy to be together with our whole Mission President Team: Shannon, Becky, Gwyn, and myself, and remember the highlights of our service together. A spirit of joy accompanied our fellowship, and even the budget conversation was titled “Fun with Numbers”! Our friends in the Chilliwack congregation were generous hosts, offering excellent food and thoughtful care for everyone who attended. Truly, we experienced “Love in Action” just as our theme proclaimed. We passed the budget presented by Sam and engaged in prophetic imagination together. We are grateful for everyone’s prayerful support as we voted to combine with Canada East Mission Centre in the coming year. Let us continue to uphold the church in Canada in our prayers as we take our next loving and hopeful steps into the future.  The Canada West Mission Centre Conference is this weekend! From September 12–14, we gather around the theme Love in Action in Chilliwack, BC, and online. If you’re joining us online, here are all the sessions available to you with Pacific and Mountain times. Friday, Sept 12
Saturday, Sept 13
Sunday, Sept 14
Join on Zoom Conference Zoom link (for all online sessions except Beyond the Walls): Documents (programs, agenda, reports) Find everything in one place — Full Program (with reports), Express Program, Business Agenda, Financial Report, Audit Report, January minutes, and more: Registration (encouraged for both in-person and Zoom) is here:  Get ready to test your knowledge and relive the 80s while supporting World Accord! Join us for World Accord’s 45th Anniversary 80s Trivia Night on Friday, September 12, from 6:40–8:00 p.m. during the Canada West Mission Conference. Come dressed in your best 80s costume (optional but encouraged!) and enjoy an evening of fun, prizes for the top three teams and best costume, and plenty of laughter—all while supporting World Accord’s mission of cultivating communities that thrive. The event will be available both in person and on Zoom.  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:
 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.  Mission Conference 2025 is happening in Chilliwack, BC, from September 12–14, and we want to see you there! If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to register and book your accommodations.
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Coast Chilliwack Hotel, but the hotel will reduce our block on July 14 if we haven’t reached 60% booked. Don’t wait—secure your spot today! And while you’re at it—why not use a little of what you saved on accommodations to bring some socks or a warm toque for someone in need? As part of our commitment to the Chilliwack community, we’re collecting new socks and pom-pom-free toques for our conference service project, Socktember. Please bring your donations to conference or connect with your congregation to send items along. Let’s make a difference together!  We’re kicking off Canada West Mission Conference 2025 with an 80s Trivia Night Fundraiser! Join us on Friday, September 12, from 6:40 to 8:00 p.m. at Chilliwack Community of Christ, and online, for a fun evening of snacks and friendly competition, all in celebration of World Accord's 45th anniversary.
Costumes are very welcome, and prizes will be given to the top three teams! Proceeds support World Accord and their ongoing work empowering communities.  We’re excited to invite you to the 2025 Canada West Mission Conference, happening September 12-14 in Chilliwack, BC! Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning to reconnect, it’s sure to be a weekend full of community, worship, and celebration.
Visit our Conference page to register and find updates about guest ministry, special entertainment, and our hotel booking options in Chilliwack—including a special link to register at the Coast Hotel with our group rate.  Canada West Mission Conference will take place September 12–14 in Chilliwack, BC, with the theme "Love in Action."
A special highlight of the weekend will be the ordination of Gwyn Beer to the office of Seventy by Karin Peter, Senior President of Seventy. Watch for registration and billeting details coming soon!  Join us online for Canada West Mission Centre’s one-day conference on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Starting at 9:00 AM (BC), 10:00 AM (AB), and 11:00 AM (SK and MB), this is a wonderful opportunity to connect as a community, find encouragement in the heart of winter, and elect delegates for World Conference (May 30–June 6, 2025).
Interested in being a delegate? We’d love to hear from you! Email Shannon McAdam at [email protected] by January 10, 2025, to join the list—spots are still open, and your voice matters. We’ll also take time to consider at least two priesthood calls, making this an important and meaningful gathering. Let’s come together to reflect, connect, and look forward to what’s ahead!  Join us for a special one day conference Sat, January 25, 2025 at 9am in BC, 10am in AB, and 11am in SK and MB. We will meet online to elect delegates for World Conference and connect with one another, sharing warmth and light in the dark of winter.
Those who would like to be delegates for World Conference (which will be held May 30-Jun 6, 2025) should email Shannon ([email protected]) by January 10, 2025. She will be creating the delegate list in the order that names are received. Once she’s received 32 names, subsequent names will be added to a list of alternates.  A moment with your Mission Centre President, by Shannon McAdam.
As our Mission Centre Conference approaches, we know you might have some last-minute questions! Here’s a Q&A from your Mission Centre President Team to make sure you’re ready, whether you’re attending in person or online: Is it too late to come to Edmonton? Not too late! You can still REGISTER HERE. Where can I find the documents for the business meeting? You can find those in our CONFERENCE HUB. How do I get the link to join on Zoom? You’ll find the links to participate live in selected events in our CONFERENCE HUB. Will every event be on Zoom? No, some events will only be available in-person in Edmonton. You’ll know if a session is online if it has the “JOIN ONLINE SESSION” link in the Conference Hub. Do I have to be a delegate to vote? No, anyone who is a member in Canada West can have voice and vote in our conference business meeting. I have another question that isn’t answered here, who should I ask? You can email any member of our Mission Centre President team, or our conference coordinator, Debra.  The Express Program for our 2024 Mission Centre Conference is now available on our Conference Hub. On this page, you’ll find all the relevant information about the event. Please take a moment to review the schedule and important documents ahead of time, including the business meeting agenda and financial report.
Did you know that this Mission Conference marks our 20th Anniversary as a Mission Centre? Watch for special celebration moments throughout the conference weekend! For those attending in person, don’t miss our Ask Me Anything table, featuring a variety of hosts throughout the weekend:
Our Canada West Mission Conference takes place September 27-29. Join us in person at the Edmonton Congregation or online via Zoom. If you haven’t registered yet, please use the link below. We can't wait to see you next weekend! If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Debra Donohue at [email protected].  Do you remember when Mission Conference was held in person? Check out the throwback photo below from Saskatoon in 2015! Well, we’re excited to announce that this year, we’re back in person and hope to see as many of you as possible in Edmonton. While you’re welcome to join us online, nothing beats the energy of gathering together face-to-face. Here are some of the exciting highlights you can look forward to in Edmonton:
For those planning to attend in person from out of town, here are some accommodation suggestions: Four Points By Sheraton (the closest to the church) 7230 Argyll Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4A6 Phone: +1-780-465-7931 ($118 to $133 /night for the conference weekend - plus taxes and fees. Seniors and AAA/CAA discounts available.) Ramada Hotel 5359 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4J9 Phone: +1-780-434-3431 ($97 per night for the conference weekend - plus taxes and fees. Total for 2 nights of $270.) Travelodge by Wyndham Edmonton South 10320 45th Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5K3 Phone: +1-780-436-9770 ($79 to $118 / per night plus taxes and fees for the conference weekend. Totals for 2 nights $218 to $324.) The church’s address is 6919 83 Street NW, Edmonton, T6C 2Y1 (Phone: 780-469-7510) If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me – I’ll be there too! Looking forward to seeing you in Edmonton, Debra [email protected]  2015 CANADA WEST MISSION CONFERENCE, SASKATOON, SK  Edith Wallace will be our special musical guest at Mission Conference in Edmonton Saturday September 28th. The last time Edith performed for us in Edmonton was in 2019.
You can find more about Edith on Facebook, and her YouTube chonnel. Don't forget to visit the Conference Hub to register and find updates about our weekend together. We want everyone to be able to join us for the conference. If the registration fee presents any difficulty, please reach out to Debra Donohue, our Conference Manager, for assistance. [email protected]  Host Congregation: Edmonton, AB
From: Debra Donohue - Conference Manager We know you’ve been missing our annual conference, seeing old friends, making new friends, celebrating our accomplishments, and remembering those we’ve lost. Our guest ministers are Vonda DenBoer and Leandro Palacios from Canada East. We know you’ll love getting to know them or getting to know them better. Mark your calendars, call a friend to arrange billeting, or book your hotel. Registration will be open next week to attend online or in-person. Check out the Conference Hub on our website for updates and news leading up to mission conference. We look forward to seeing you in Edmonton for Canada West Mission Conference 2024! 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 [email protected] for Zoom links.  Inclusive Church Hosted by Beyond the Walls Community and Toronto Congregation Sundays at 9am PT/ 10am MT/ 11am CT/ Noon ET. For more information please visit their website, Facebook page and YouTube channel to watch the service. Mondays  Creating Connection Book Club Third Monday of every other month at 7pm PT/ 8pm MT/ 9pm CT. To join please visit the Creating Connection Meetup group. For details about the next session click here. Tuesdays  Virtual Visiting Fellowship Tuesday mornings at 11am CST/ 10am MST/ 9am PST. To participate please contact Gloria Stanton. 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.  Oasis Meditative Experience (sessions will resume in November) Wednesdays from 6:40 to 7:00pm Pacific Time. Click here to learn more! To receive a weekly Zoom invitation, please send an email to Kat Goheen. Thursdays  Creating Connection presents: Coffee and Conversation Thursdays from 10:30am to noon Pacific Time. To join please visit the Creating Connection Meetup group. For a list of Online Ministries please click here.
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