 A moment with your Mission Centre President. By Becky Middleton.
It was lovely to be together for Mission Conference at September's end, and what a wonderful conference we had! Both of our guest ministers, Vonda and Leandro, were very impressed with how we "took care of business" in an amiable, non-confrontational manner. There was also lots of great visiting, delicious food, good fun, interesting storytelling, a game or two, and a fantastic concert by Edith Wallace for those of us fortunate enough to be there in person! The two main items of business that require more contemplation from ALL of us are:
In November, there will be an online poll to gauge your status of support (or lack thereof) for the priesthood policy proposal. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Art Smith or one of the Mission Centre President team. In January, Apostle Art Smith plans to formulate a committee to implement the moving forward as one Canada Mission Centre. If you are interested in serving on that committee, please contact Shannon McAdam or one of the Mission Centre President team. Change calls for discernment, contemplation, and service. Exciting times!
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 A postcard from the Canada West Mission Centre President Team.
What we loved about conference: Becky: Being together! Great fellowship, food and fun! FABULOUS!! Kat: Wearing George Allen’s name tag! Gwyn: Renewed relationships and new relationships. “Make new friends, but keep the old…” Shannon: Seeing so many familiar faces in person, and walking the ravine with old and new friends.  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.  A Moment with your Mission Centre President By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission co-president. A few days ago Stassi Cramm outlined some possible changes to World church leadership if her call to Prophet/President is approved at the next World Conference, in 2025. While these changes are positive and exciting, change in general is often hard to process. It seems we just get familiar with how things are and a change happens again. As the adage states: “the only constant in life is change.” Change is all around us, changing seasons, changing weather patterns, changing time ( well for some of us anyway), changing health, lifestyle - you get the picture! There are some changes coming with our approach to the One Canada mission too. As with Stassi's announcement, the changes will have many positive outcomes that may seem unfamiliar at first. We envision a future of positives–working together as one Canada with one mission–continuing to share our vision of Christ at work in our communities resulting in positive change!   By: Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
“Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” This hymn lyric is our theme for Mission Conference 2024. We have learned that to have true hope we must face our realities; that’s why “strength” goes hand in hand with hope! One way to experience strength is to know our truth and to share authentically with others and we want to learn that together. Leandro Palacios will lead us in a session on Friday night on how to share our stories in different ways. Edith Wallace will show, and tell, us how she expresses herself on Saturday night. We look forward to Vonda DenBoer’s message Sunday morning. When we tell our truth, we witness to others how creative and redemptive God is in our lives, just as we are. We show our values. We connect with others in a deeper way. We open ourselves to transformational change. I’m excited to be in Edmonton for this next stage of the journey at the end of this month and pray that you are too!  By: Shannon McAdam Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Our MCP Team can't wait to see you in person in Edmonton for our conference! Here are a few reasons why we are excited: Gwyn: Fall is settling in and it’s time to sit down together and have a nice hot beverage and a great conversation about the BRIGHT HOPE that I see in our future! I’ll save a seat for you in Edmonton. Kat: I’m looking forward to time spent together at Mission Conference, especially sharing a hymnal during singing and visiting in the lunch line. We’ve been so creative with our online experiences, but now it’s time to embrace one another! Becky: I’m looking forward to connecting at our fall conference in Edmonton. It’s good to get together on zoom, it’s fantastic if you can make it in person. Hope to see you there! Shannon: I cannot wait to look out into the congregation in Edmonton and see your beautiful faces that radiate the love and care you have for our community. And there's nothing like sharing a meal together and chatting about things we'd probably never talk about on Zoom! So join us in Edmonton September 27-29!  By: Becky Middleton - Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
As our Family Camp and Youth Camp at Hills of Peace have drawn to a close we are very encouraged by the joy and excitement shown by those in attendance. The participants are slowly building in numbers again and we are very hopeful that this will continue to be the case. The enthusiasm shown by young families and the youth/young adults is wonderful! Family camp was a real joy to be at with meaningful worship, classes, crafts, games and visiting too. The youth camp inspired us all with their highly successful fundraiser and the polar plunge challenge. Both camps were enriched by the ministry of Matt and Margo Frizzell. A good time was had by all! We know registration costs are significant as is the cost to run camping activities and the campgrounds. We are very appreciative of any donations to the mission center in support of camping and the ability to offer subsidies to those who require help. THANK YOU! The Men's Retreat at HOP is coming Sept. 13-15 and we encourage men of all ages to attend it will be a wonderful time I'm sure! Also our mission center conference in Edmonton is coming Sept. 27-29. We encourage all who can come in person to do so and it will be shared via zoom as well. It is so good to be able to be together to share in worship, fun and fellowship!  A moment with your Mission Centre President, by Shannon McAdam - Canada West Mission Centre Co-President I hope you are all finding some sabbath rest during these summer months. As we turn towards fall it is time to start looking at some of the topics that will come before us at Mission Centre Conference and beyond. If you attended one of our information sessions at Samish Reunion or Hills of Peace Family Camp you have already heard about the draft policy that is being proposed to address questions around Priesthood members and marriage-like relationships. We’ve already been on a long journey with this topic in Canada, so for some people this conversation will be one you are familiar with, for others, it may be brand new. For background, at World Conference 2023 the Council of 12 Apostles proposed legislation (WCR 1327), to rescind a previous resolution on marriage from 1984 (WCR 1182) and give Apostles responsibility for creating new culturally specific policies around marriage. The guideposts for ethical relationships that WCR 1327 is based on come from Doctrine and Covenants 164. Our Apostle for Canada, Art Smith, connected with leaders across Canada starting last year to draft a potential policy. Art is committed to a process of common consent as we move forward together. With the help of Joan Thompson, Canadian leaders have come up with a draft policy. Our next step is to share the draft and hear your feedback, which has already begun at camps and reunions across Canada. This fall, after both mission centres have had time for discussion, we will have a period of online polling where all members in Canada will have the opportunity to show their level of support on a scale, not as a yes/no vote. If there is 80% or higher support, Art will move our policy to the next step by taking it to the Council of Twelve, and then if it is approved there, to the First Presidency for review. If all approve, then it will become our new policy for Canada. Our draft is a non-prescriptive policy that does not try to cover every type of relationship question. One of my thoughts is that this type of policy doesn’t make things easier, but it does allow for more sensitivity to individual situations. It will require us to have open dialogue and mutual discernment around what kinds of situations do and don’t impact a person’s ability to provide priesthood ministry. There are a lot of background documents that have led to the creation of our draft, including those I’ve referenced above. We will link the draft policy and other documents here. It’s not our intention to overwhelm you with information, but to provide you with background to help your own discernment and aid in discussions you may have. Please share your questions and thoughts with us via email, including what kinds of conversations you’d like to have – large groups? Small groups? We want you to feel included in this process and appreciate all feedback you have to offer. 
 This week Gwyn and Becky are at Hills of Peace Family Camp. The guest minister is Matt Frizzell.
Some young friends created this nature mandala and then released back to nature. It's wonderful to be having camp at Hills of Peace in spite of the damage that was caused by a recent hail storm.  Kat, Gwyn, and Shannon spent last week at Samish Island for our combined Canada West and Inland West Reunion. Nearly 200 attended, much fun was had, and we heard inspiring challenges from our guest ministers Ron Harmon and Robin Linkhart.
 Last week Kat, and her daughter Savannah, spent the week in Naramata, BC. They were there to offer music ministry at a United Church of Canada family camp. They had a great time and shared many songs and stories.
 Mission Conference 2024 is coming up soon from September 27-29, and we’re excited to hear from you. We’re gathering congregation reports for 2023/24, and we want to celebrate all the milestones that made this year special – milestone birthdays and anniversaries, graduations, and any other big moments.
If you or your congregation have any new business motions, we’d love to hear those too. Submit your stories and proposals by the deadlines below. Let’s celebrate our achievements and plan for the future together! Deadlines:
 As early as Wednesday July 10th six Canada West youth and Gwyn Beer, from your mission centre president team, began their journey to Iowa for SPECTACULAR. They are a part of a delegation with others from the northwest USA. They led the Prayer for Peace at our Community of Christ Temple on Friday. We will certainly have more stories to tell afterwards!
A moment with your Mission Centre President by Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  In just 74 days we will begin our week of activities leading up to Mission Centre Conference! Where does the time go? In case you haven’t marked it on your calendar yet, here are some key days to note down:
As I look both backward and forward in my preparations, I am inspired and compelled by our theme Bright Hope. What does hope mean to you? I recall a quote from Krista Tippett: “Hope is a muscle” and just like any muscle, we have to exercise it to keep it healthy. “The hope that I see to be transformative and modeled in very wise people who have shifted something in their world,” says Tippett, “it's not wishful thinking. It's not assuming that things will turn out all right. It's an insistence, looking at the world straight on as it is and rejecting the idea that it has to be that way, and then throwing your light and your pragmatism as much as your spirit at it.” (Read the full article at: https://www.gq.com/story/krista-tippett-on-being-interview) How can we “throw our light” at our world and make it a better place? And by the way I think our world begins in our families, congregations, neighbourhoods, cities. Our mission centre spans many different lives and experiences, urban, rural, and everything in between. How can we equip and support one another to be light bearers in the world in our unique contexts? This is the work of our mission centre as I see it. So I ask that you consider how you can support this project of equipping one another to be light bearers:
I hope I get to see you in 74 days! Canada West Mission Centre Conference
Theme: Bright Hope September 27-29 Join us in person at Edmonton congregation or via Zoom Please find this week's article in our main blog page
 A moment with your Mission Centre President by Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President It is with sadness we acknowledge the cancellation of Kid's Camp for yet another year. The camping program has been, and may continue to be, the connection our young people have to each other and the Community of Christ. My grandchildren have all loved going to family camp and subsequently Junior (Kid's) and youth camp. Relationships made at camp between the youth have continued through social media connections, Spectacular, Mission Conference etc. Relationships made with God and learning about the Community of Christ at camp continue for a lifetime.
Yes, there is work involved too, but most importantly camp is FUN! It starts with Family Camp. PLEASE consider bringing, sending, paying for your children, grandchildren, adoptive family etc. and come to camp! We need you to step up. Now, more than ever, we need to support our Hills of Peace campground and the camping program!  By: Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Another learning from my Camino: I planned my last 100 kilometers of walking so that I could arrive in Santiago de Compostela on April 22, doubling up on earlier days to leave only 20 kilometers to walk on the last day. My goal was to arrive in time for Pilgrim’s Mass in the Cathedral without being overly exhausted. That last night my friends told me, over paella, that the big mass of the day was at noon, which I didn’t know! I left well before dawn so that I could arrive in Santiago in time to stow my pack at the post office and get a seat at mass. It was incredibly rushed, but worked out, along with meeting my dear Welsh friend! After mass, we queued up and got our Compostela certificates and ate a late lunch…and then, the rush settled. I had arrived. Nowhere left to walk – my next trip was a bus to Portugal, and a plane home. My friends, who were devout Catholics, felt an extra glow about passing these landmarks. But for me, it was overshadowed with grief. While my feet were more than ready to come home, I had enjoyed the journey and was sad to see it end! My new Spanish friend gushed to me, “Kat, the Camino is life!” I replied, “Yes, but the Camino is over, and life continues…” With a direct look he spoke to my heart: “Your Camino is only beginning.” I don’t know who needs to hear this. Maybe a job contract is ending, an illness is closing in, a church building is being sold, a camp is being cancelled. What kind of ending is this? What kind of beginning? The love we hold is not lost, and it can be a training ground for deeper relationships and wisdom to emerge. Let us learn from our experiences and claim the depth of soul they bring!   By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President It has been my joy and privilege to share in a few happenings over the last few days that have reinforced the idea that We Are One. I took a van load of friends/neighbour ladies to a choir concert put on by the Provost Lutheran Choir. The choir however was made up of people from several different denominations from the communities of Provost, AB, and Macklin, SK. It was held in St. Norbert's Catholic Church - Rosenheim. The church is now an historic site hosting only a couple of special events throughout the year and the district of Rosenheim is just out in the lovely countryside between towns. Sunday- the Senlac Community of Christ congregation met with the Macklin/Provost United Church congregations at the United church in Macklin where I provided the service for that day. This has happened several times now and all of us are enjoying our worship together and getting to know each other better. Sandwiched in between these events, we were able to take in the wonderful celebration of life service for Linda Klughart, our beloved Seventy from SK, who passed away in January. This was accomplished through the wonderful collaboration of technology and ministry from across Canada and the USA. Thank you to all involved! It certainly reinforced to me the idea that not only are we 'One Canada', but with the inclusion of 'all voices'... we are 'creating connections' as one world in God's desire for us to come together in unity and love.  A Moment with your Mission Centre President by Becky Middleton Canada West Mission Centre Co-President What a great weekend and rewarding experience to be at HOP work camp this past weekend- May 31-June 2! The weekend started on Friday May 31 for some by attending Lauren Levitt's (Senlac Congregation) graduation exercises from Lakeland College in Lloydminster. Others went straight to the Hills of Peace to get started. Saturday was a lovely day weatherwise and the three page list of jobs as well as some not listed were able to be completed by late afternoon. There is no picture of the workers because- well, we were all working! It was the largest turn out for numbers (20 plus) we've had in a while and many willing workers got things done so efficiently. In addition to work though, we had great food, even greater fellowship, and generally a good time! You should have been there! LOL You can be there this summer, by coming to Family Camp August 3-8, or volunteering or registering for Kid's camp June 30- July 5, or Youth camp Aug. 10 - 15, or the Men's retreat Sept 13-15. The possibilities before us offer great potential for MORE FUN, FELLOWSHIP, FOOD ETC. Come be a part of it!! You will love it and we will love to have you there.  By Gwyn Beer, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Shirley Smith was invited to come visit Bob and Bev Riley. Originally planned as a weekend visit, Shirley saw the opportunity to reach out to church members in other areas.
In Chilliwack, Shirley stayed for a longer visit with Bob & Bev Riley, Rick & Pat James, Shonnet & Lawrence Allen, and Janine McCully. Shirley shared her desire for the Chilliwack congregation, a higher level of outreach mission. Shirley had a desire to meet with members of the Vancouver congregation to discuss mission. However, Vancouver is currently going through a discernment process, and only a few visits happened. A ferry ride got me and Shirley to the Victoria church. It has been sold and possession is June 1st, and the congregation has been dissolved. Shirley and I met with Carl and Shirley Bolger, and they told us of all the work that has happened to get the Victoria church ready for the new owners. The congregation was delighted to sell the property to a business that is closely oriented to our mission initiatives. The building will be used by Lifetime Network! We joined the Victoria congregation in worship, on Sunday May 12, for their last communion service in the building. Shirley gave an inspiring message to those in attendance about the future of the church, with dedicated saints and their stories. Fellowship over a lunch happened and Shirley went to visit family for the afternoon and evening. The congregation held a final service of remembering and sharing on May 26. We were given beds, and so much hospitality, with the Nepomuceno-Donohue family. Dana, John, Georgia, Sydney, Frankie and James were asked by Debra to house all 3 of us for 2 nights. Add Fiona the French bulldog, and 2 leopard cats, and the house was a full, warm, loving place. Shirley, Debra and I were treated royally, and much fun and fellowship happened. Shirley and I travelled up island and met with Sally Glaiser, who orchestrated an outside visit with Charlotte and Carmen Dobbs. Our time together was very special for me, as Charlotte (nee Harper) and I had grown up together through church family affiliations. Shirley talked with Sally about mission and was filled in on the congregation's plans to stay connected through a series of gatherings. The first will be a gathering at Sally’s home in late June. The Victoria group, while no longer a formal congregation, will allow an organic flow to future gatherings. Shirley reconnected with Don and Evelyn Jenkins, and I made connections with my Alberta relatives we had in common. Shirley spent the night with Ed and Audrey Salahub, who are now in Nanaimo after a move from Meadow Ridge. We travelled next to Campbell River to meet with Darlene Zimmerman. The connection to Darlene came when she responded to the Seventy letter that Shirley and Linda had created and we mailed out. We spent time with Darlene admiring her artwork. I thanked her for her support of World Accord for years by donating paintings that were auctioned off. I am a proud owner of one painting from a World Accord auction at Samish. We left Darlene, and returned to Nanaimo to a motel for the night as we had an early ferry ride out of Dukes Point. Shirley and I joined a CWM advisory meeting at 6 pm. I gave my report and left Shirley online. I went and met my school friend Janet Miller, for a long overdue visit. Shirley and I got up early to make a ferry ride to the mainland. From the ferry terminal, we went to the Abbotsford Airport where I left Shirley for her flight home. Thank you, Shirley, for a trip that reached out to many of our members on Vancouver Island. |
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