 By Shannon McAdam, Field Apostle, CWM Co-President.
As I sit alone in my home office once again, having traveled back from Community of Christ World Conference, I realize I am not really alone. I feel deeply connected to the many people I had the joy of connecting with over the past two weeks. I have many treasured memories already, but today I want to highlight our Wednesday night gathering of Canadians. For me, Wednesday was a busy evening of visiting many different receptions, so it was lovely to walk in to see so many familiar faces. An added joy was being alongside my new partners in ministry: fellow Apostle Lachlan Mackay, and Presidents of Seventy Joelle Wight and Karin Peter. As you said goodbye to Art and hello to our new team, I was touched by the sense of a torch being passed. I am excited to see what awaits us next - together in Canada!
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 Hello from World Conference! Your MCP team (and MCP ‘emeritus’ Gwyn!) have had the joy of seeing one another every day, as well as many of our Canada West delegates. The theme this week is Hope is Here and we are focusing on the story of Pentecost so the Temple complex has been beautifully decorated with the fiery coloured fabric you see behind us in this photo! We have already witnessed the ordination of our first woman President, and are excited for what’s next!  Hello from Independence Missouri!
I’m here preparing for World Conference and also setting up my office in the Temple! Delegates from around the world are arriving and I am so excited to see our Canadian delegates as you arrive here. See you soon! Shannon  By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Recently, I was privileged to attend a five-day dance competition in Saskatoon with my daughter-in-law and granddaughters. They were all competing to some degree and, regardless of outcome, agreed that the skill level of the performers was inspiring and rewarding. What really encouraged me was the genuine camaraderie and joy they felt for each dancer’s placement in the competition, along with the encouragement they shared among their peers. I was also able to visit our dear brother Charles Lester in the hospital. We reminisced about joy-filled times together in the past, as well as upcoming activities such as World Conference. He shared some of the wonderful experiences he and Sylvia had at World Conferences and family camps. Our time together was a blessing to us both. The following Sunday, I had the opportunity to be with the congregation in Regina. It is always a joy for me to connect with people and spend time together in fellowship and worship. The hospitality shown to me was delightful! A big part of dance is connecting with the music and telling a story. A big part of the enjoyment of being together is building connections—relationships—with each other and weaving our stories together. We are continuing to look forward to more opportunities to create connections!  By Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President As we get closer to World Conference, our Canada West Mission Centre President team is hearing stories from people around the world who are excited to attend! Becky shares about her friend Eva: While Doug and I were in Honduras in February, one of our Community of Christ sisters made a trip into Tegucigalpa—the capital city—for a meeting to secure a visa for going to World Conference in the USA. She was successful in obtaining her visa and is very excitedly looking forward to going! It will be her first time at Conference and her first trip to the US! We are so excited for her and look forward to being with her at Conference! From Kat and Shannon’s friend Elray in the Western Europe Mission Centre: I am very excited about World Conference. I always look forward to the first two joyful days of Conference, because I get to reconnect with friends from all over the world. Then this year, we might just also adopt a nonviolence statement for Community of Christ, which is something I have cared deeply about. Stassi Cramm, and so many others, are being ordained! I also look forward to my own ordination as high priest at the European gathering, which will make this world event even more memorable for me. And from Art: Kamala Rao is a newly ordained Seventy in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. She just received her visa last week for Côte d’Ivoire, where there is a remote site. She’s never been able to get a visa to attend World Conference in the USA. This will be her first-ever trip out of India. She’s very excited to share with the ten other delegates from India and Nepal headed to that remote site, as well as with others from all over Africa—and remotely, with all the delegates from the World Conference. Each of our team members are looking forward to our own pilgrimages as well, and we are looking forward to seeing many of you there.  Elray Henriksen, Shannon McAdam, and Kat Goheen  By Gwyn Beer
Many of you have been on a Lenten journey—a period of fasting, prayer, and giving. This began March 5 (Ash Wednesday) and will end April 17 (Holy Thursday). I was privileged to Zoom into Kirtland Temple on April 13 for Palm Sunday. It was wonderful to see and “be” in the Kirtland Temple via technology. A bittersweet moment for me in a few different ways. We had visited the Kirtland Temple many years ago as a family, and I was privileged to return with my friend Linda Phelps on the Women in World Church History Tour. The Historical Society were the ones who made Palm Sunday happen. Stassi Cramm preached, others gave scripture, and others served communion. I watched from BC and felt transported back to Kirtland. My home congregation in Chilliwack is having a Good Friday service on April 18, led by Janine McCully. We will also enjoy an Easter Sunday worship experience as Brothers and Sisters in Community of Christ. The traditions of welcoming spring through Easter will mean extra treats—from coloured eggs, chocolate bunnies, and marshmallow peeps for the young and young at heart! When the sun rises on April 20, may you feel the wonder and grace that we have received when Jesus rose from the dead to take away our sins. God sent his son to save us all. Be glad and rejoice on Easter Sunday morning! On behalf of the Canada West Mission Centre President Team, Shannon, Kat, and Becky wish you all a wonderful Easter filled with the Holy Spirit, with family, and with friends.  By Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
On a cold and very rainy Sunday morning in March, I walked from my home to Lions Park in Port Coquitlam to lead a mindful walk along the Coquitlam River. I arrived very wet and wondering if anyone would join me as I waited under the picnic shelter. I was delighted that two people from Meetup—one who had never been to a Creating Connection event before, and another who had—chose to brave the rain and join me! I had never met either of them before. We shared in a moment of quiet meditation and then read aloud together a poem by Joy Harjo called “Praise the Rain.” We then took a mindful walk in the rain along the river, sharing what we noticed in nature and engaging in meaningful conversation. For me, it was a day of living the Mission Prayer: God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen. I had never hosted a meetup like this by myself—only ever with others from Community of Christ. No one from Community of Christ was able to attend, so I was a bit apprehensive. The incessant rain could have been an easy excuse to cancel. But I mustered the courage to risk doing something new, and I am so glad that I did! The participants were grateful for an opportunity to have meaningful connection, and so was I. One of the things we talked about on our walk is how our culture often isolates people instead of bringing people together. We talked about how simple acts of kindness and connection are actually counter-cultural and are so important in our world today. We all risked something new by venturing out in the rain to connect with others, and I was reminded again of how the Spirit works to bring people together when we are open to its leadings. All three of us were seeking community and connection and were able to find it together in nature. If you’ve ever thought about what it might be like to invite others into community, I’d encourage you to think of something that brings you joy—and then think about how it could be shared with others. I love walking along the river by my home, and I love poetry, so this was something easy for me to share with others. Having it posted on Meetup was an easy way for people looking for connection to find the event. Creating meaningful connection doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes a little courage to show up. Where will God’s Spirit lead you today? How will you courageously respond?  By Gwyn Beer
We have talked about generosity before. Your financial contributions help move everything forward. The cost of living isn’t getting any lower, and your contributions—whether to your local congregation, a favorite campground, helping send others to camp, or the World Church Mission Initiatives—are part of your generous support. Another way to be generous is with your time! Could you take a week out of your busy schedule to serve as a counselor, camp nurse, or lifeguard? So many of you have already given time to camps and reunions in so many different ways. We are looking for your valuable support with camps, retreats, and reunions, and I am also looking for someone to join me at SPEC. It is a commitment of time—one that will come back to you in joy. Your generous use of talents has benefited others through music, food, fellowship, and just plain fun! I have come to value acts of generosity that may seem simple or easy to do. How great is it to receive a Thinking of You card in the mail? What a joy to answer a phone call from a church member miles away who just wanted to chat! Take a moment to send that email you’ve been meaning to write. I am trying these new forms of generosity! Some of you have been practicing this type of generosity for years, and I thank you for that. Let me know the many ways you and others have shared generosity—I know I will be inspired by what I hear!  By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President We are in the last week of our time in Honduras for this year. The projects are completed, and everyone is very happy with the results. We’ve also had some fun adventures, including zip-lining, visiting natural hot pools, experiencing cultural events, and sharing coffee and conversation in people’s homes. A special joy for us has been joining with our brothers and sisters at La Buena Fe Congregation of Community of Christ. We may not understand all that is said in the worship service, but the fellowship, heartfelt music, and presence of the Holy Spirit transcend our language barriers. It truly is a testament to our awareness that we are all one family in the community of Christ! Hope is here!  This week I am in Independence for my first World Church Leadership Council meetings as an apostle designate. The Council of 12 Apostles, Presiding Bishopric, President of the High Priests Quorum. President of 70, and First Presidency all gather for these meetings.
It is so inspiring to be in the Temple and Auditorium, hearing wisdom of leaders from around the world, and sharing my Canadian voice. Looking forward to seeing many of you here again during world conference! And the table will be wide. And the welcome will be wide. And the arms will open wide to gather us in. And our hearts will open wide to receive. ~Jan Richardson  By Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
World Conference has so many great memories for me: seeing friends from far and wide, sharing in meaningful worship, and participating in the business of the church. It was in the Auditorium main chamber that I realized my affinity for the business of the church, even when sessions were filled with amendments and clarifications. It’s a powerful thing to know that you can request the floor and share your opinion or experience as part of international debate—common consent in action. It’s not as fun to sit through legislative sessions when you’re not well-informed. Three years ago, I was asked to be one of the facilitators for the pre-legislative online sessions held before World Conference. It was wonderful to lead different groups of between 20 and 30 people who came together to seek understanding and to ask better questions. Each group practiced deep listening and revealed the roots that discernment practice is growing in our community. I’m happy to be serving in this capacity again this year. I encourage each of you, whether you will be in Independence on May 30 or not, to register and log in to at least one session. It’s always lovely to see familiar Canada West faces! See what’s moving in the church and how the debate is unfolding. Be in the know! I hope to see you there.  By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Doug and I are currently in Honduras along with Jim Wigood, with Mike Tettenborn and David Levitt soon to join us. We are here to implement a Prince Albert congregation-sponsored project to replace a badly damaged school roof and repair the floor in another. At the same time, Ribstone congregation continues its ongoing initiative, providing school scribblers and pens/pencils for students in need. These supplies are purchased locally—supporting the economy—and distributed by some of our local volunteers. There was literally a truckload of school supplies. There are many generous people who contribute to both of these projects. All volunteers who come do so at their own expense, covering both travel and living costs while here. The people here are no longer strangers but friends who help us help others. Incidentally, we have been reading lately about some well-known celebrities who live simply and donate most of their money to charity. This amounts to millions of dollars in aid and a diverse variety of recipients. Despite what we see on the news, there are many good people in the world who desire to help others have a better life. HOPE IS HERE!  by Shannon McAdam, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
If you haven’t already had a chance to read the recent Pastoral Letter from January 29th, I encourage you to take a look to learn about the new calls that are being shared in anticipation of World Conference. It still feels a bit odd to say that I have been called to serve as an Apostle, especially when just last weekend my call to High Priest was presented at our special mission centre conference! But God works in mysterious ways, and I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life as a minister as I say Yes to this call. I will be leaving my full-time job in technology to begin working for the church. What the letter doesn’t mention is that I will continue to live in Port Coquitlam and work from home, traveling as needed to where I am called to serve. I will also continue to be part of the Mission Centre President team for Canada West. We have some big changes in front of us as we go about the work of our new Canada Mission Centre design, and I am in many ways happy to be able to give that work more of my attention. I’ve recorded an interview with the Project Zion Podcast that shares some background to my life, and we’ll be sure to share when that is available. In that interview I shared that I’ve found the hymn “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” to be quite moving in the past year, especially as I considered this call, and I definitely feel like “I have abandoned my small boat; now with you, I will seek other seas.” I look forward to connecting with many of you in new ways as this next phase unfolds.  By Gwyn Beer
Are you staying up to date on everything happening with World Conference 2025? The theme, Hope is Here, invites us to gather in faith and celebration. A video series with Jenn Killpack and Susan Naylor has resumed on Facebook and YouTube to help you stay informed about all things World Conference. The first video, released on Monday, January 13, shared important details like the conference dates—beginning the afternoon of Friday, May 30, and concluding on Friday, June 6. Pentecost Sunday, June 8, marks the start of a new season of hope and renewal. You can watch the “In the Know” video series (and future episodes) by visiting the Community of Christ website. Scroll down to the NEWS banner and click “Learn More.” Look for the blue World Conference box to find the videos, including the most recent episode marked “REPOST: In the Know.” This is also your opportunity to put your name forward as a delegate for World Conference. Delegates will be voted on at the Canada West Mission (CWM) Special Conference on Saturday, January 25. I’ve been to World Conference three times as a delegate—first as a 20-year-old Graceland student and again in 2019 and 2023. Every experience has been amazing. If you have the chance, consider going to Independence, MO, whether to participate as a delegate or simply to experience it for yourself. For me, the Spirit is present in my home congregation and at the church campgrounds I’ve been privileged to visit. But the Spirit I felt in the Auditorium and the Temple in Independence, MO, was unmatched. Even when the buildings were quiet and empty, the sacred presence was undeniable.  By Kat Goheen, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Happy New Year! We are looking ahead to the coming of One Canada, where we will share services and leadership across the country. Until that happens, we want to provide clarity about how our current personnel are offering ministry in the Mission Centre. Your Mission Centre President Team is Becky Middleton, Shannon McAdam, and Kat Goheen. Their role is to advise, inform, and advocate for the activities of the Mission Centre and Community of Christ in general. They offer support and encouragement and assist in the workings of the Mission Centre, including campground boards, conferences, and congregations. The Communications Team consists of Leandro Palacios and Jeanny Jakobsen. They share news from International Headquarters and the Mission Centre, along with updates about the good work happening close to home. This team manages social media, emails, the Weekly Wire, and CWM Conference materials. Our Creating Connection coordinator, Debra Donohue, helps congregations in CWM with outreach opportunities and provides retreat resources and ministry. She also assists with CWM Conference experiences. Each of these people is committed to the flourishing of the Holy Spirit in western Canada. We hope you feel supported in your discipleship and ministry.  By Becky Middleton, Canada West Mission Centre Co-President
Happy New Year one and all! I recently caught up on our local newspaper editions. As you know, the postal strike delayed much of the mail lately. As I opened the paper, I found an article about the retirement of our only local optometrist. My first reaction—though I was happy for our optometrist and his receptionist wife—was Oh no! Now where will we go? They’ve been taking care of the optical needs of our town and area for 50 years! My mind raced: Where do we go? How do we find new people? Will we be able to trust someone else and how they do things? As I read on, the article explained that after a few renovations, the clinic would reopen under a new name in early 2025, with a different optometrist who already runs a clinic in a nearby city. We don’t have to worry. This made me think about the changes coming for the Canada Mission Centre. There will be formational changes (renovations) and new people to meet and get to know. Service locations will be expanding, but the leadership of our Mission Centre will be experienced and ready to help care for the needs of a new Canadian Mission Centre. We’ll need to trust the vision and work together to build a new path. Good things are coming!  Greetings friends! We hope you will take 4 minutes out of our day to watch our 2024 Christmas Greeting from your Mission Centre President team: https://youtu.be/N0Fn3-aNO-Y?si=rrk62mmUt7gWXHBX In our video we show you the sights and sounds of our homes at Christmas and share some stories of mission and words of hope. May your Christmas be filled with Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace, and may you share Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace with others.  Each week during Advent we are sharing a postcard from our Mission Centre President team on the weekly theme and some of the activities that bring us closer to God and our communities during this season. Enjoy!
From Kat: Deep in this advent season, I'm taken deep in the woods to the river. Peace like a river, as the favourite campfire song goes. I have the peace to know when to let go and let the river of life carry me, and the peace to know when it's time to reach for a low-hanging branch. May the end of your Advent season be characterized by an ever- deepening appreciation for the beauty of your life and the love you are offered again and again.  Each week during Advent we are sharing a postcard from our Mission Centre President team on the weekly theme and some of the activities that bring us closer to God and our communities during this season. Enjoy!
From Gwyn: Through our Chilliwack congregation’s outreach toque trees, we have HOPE that what we have given will be what that person needs to give them HOPE. 1st Peter 1:13 reads Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your HOPE on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.  Each week during Advent we are sharing a postcard from our Mission Centre President team on the weekly theme and some of the activities that bring us closer to God and our communities during this season. Enjoy!
From Becky: Our advent theme for this week is LOVE. There are many things we love about Christmas- decorations, special foods, concerts, get togethers with family and friends. What I especially love is the genuine feelings of good cheer people express-even strangers- to each other. Whether just a greeting, or generous donations of one form or another they are true expressions of Christ’s love for all. |
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