Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
Happy New Year to you! I hope that everyone has had a good experience over the Christmas and New Year’s period. Along with you, I look forward to 2021 with expectations of a better year.

For today’s message I will highlight the variety of programs and events that are already on our Canada West Mission Centre calendar for the first couple of months. There are MANY of them. Truly, there is a plethora, some would even say a cornucopia, of choices! Full information about all of these programs appears elsewhere in this week’s Weekly Wire. Here is the summary of what is upcoming – click on the links where you can find more details.

First, a cancellation announcement followed by a replacement announcement: The Canada West Mission Centre e-Conference (i.e., online conference) scheduled for Saturday, February 6, has been cancelled because of a lack of enough business to conduct that would justify the meeting. Check with me or with your Pastor for more details.
 
In its place an Online Ordination Service is being planned. It will be on the same date, February 6, and will begin at 10 a.m. Pacific Time/ 11 a.m. Mountain Time/ 12 p.m. Central Time. Two persons will be ordained: Brenda Senga (Saskatoon), to the office of Evangelist; and Doug Hayden (Calgary), to the office of High Priest. Both calls were approved at the 2019 Mission Conference in Edmonton. We will be using the principles and guidelines for offering the sacraments through online means provided by the First Presidency last fall. Watch for more details about this service in the coming weeks.
 
Here are three multi-session events that are highly recommended:

• Community of Christ Adult Lessons Online: Beginning Sunday evening, January 10. If you have been missing the in-person banter of Sunday morning discussions, here is your chance to regain a taste of it. Everyone is encouraged to participate in these classes if possible. There is no fee. Registration is required.

 

• Exploring a Post-Pandemic Church: Discern, Plan, and Act in Hope: This session will provide a focused opportunity to learn about, discuss, and begin discerning what church will look like once we emerge from the constraints of the pandemic. This workshop takes place over two Saturdays, 2 weeks apart (January 16 and 30). All congregational members and leaders are urged to participate in this workshop.

 

• Nurturing Spirit Retreat: This long-standing retreat was popular in its in-person format and retained most of its participation last year as one of our first on-line options early in the pandemic. It has a varied program with many excellent facilitators. It is scheduled for the last weekend of February (26th to the 28th); plan now to attend.

 
All of the following events also are scheduled in the next few weeks. Without providing any details here, follow the links to these events:

• Starting this week: selection of priesthood and other classes from Developmetrics. (Check for the possibility of joining late if you are seeing this after the start dates.)
• A series of several Creating Connection/Nurturing Spirit events including:
  • Afternoon of Nurturing Spirit
  • Coffee and Meaningful Conversation
  • Book Club
  • Satsang: Singing into Silence
• January 10: Climate Change Colloquy Series (note participation of President Veazey)

 
There is obviously LOTS of activities from which to choose. I invite you to register now in the events of interest to you.
 
As always, I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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

Our "Blue Session" of classes will open for Canadian enrollment December 7-January 8.

The following credit classes are:

• Ministry of the Deacon (MP302): 6 weeks, January 9-February 12
• Introduction to Priesthood (MP300): 8 weeks, January 9-February 26
• Ministry of the High Priest (MP307): 8 weeks, January 9-February 26 (Instructor: David Anderson, Pres. Quorum of High Priests)
• Introduction to Pastor Ministry: 6 weeks, January 9-February 26 
• NEW: Generational Overview (mini-class): 3 weeks, January 9-29​

Class cost is $7.50 and should be paid before class via eTransfer to: ​Sam Smalldon cwm_mcfo@communityofchrist.ca
 
To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canadian Registration Form" when registration opens on December 7. 

​Should you have any questions, please contact David Lloyd. 

In the December 2020 financial update the Presiding Bishopric shared details about the church’s current economic situation and other information from the December 5 meeting of the World Church Finance Board. The next financial board report will be in June 2021.

Learn more about the church's financial condition.  

• Financial Update – December 2020
• Video Update
• Approved Worldwide Mission Budget (2021)

Each year at Kirtland Temple, the Christmas story is shared through scripture and carols. Although the community cannot gather in-person, the Spirit of the season was expanded and streamed around the world. This was an evening to remember!

Yes, in case you were wondering, even at Christmas:
Black Lives still Matter
Indigenous Lives still Matter
Lives of People of Colour still Matter
 
This afternoon, Marian and I served a 4-hour shift at the Edmonton Community of Christ to help distribute food hampers to clients of the Edmonton Food Bank. The church has served as a weekly depot for the Food Bank for many years. It is a good community service for the congregation. Today we received 32 hampers to serve 15 families. A “family” could be a single person receiving one hamper, or a family of 5 or 6 persons receiving up to four hampers. Today, all recipients were receiving with their hampers a frozen turkey or ham for their Christmas dinner. The people receiving hampers are all good people who have found themselves, usually temporarily, in need of the Food Bank services.
 
I had not been in the church building for at least two, maybe three, months. I was struck by how good it was to see and greet the three people we were relieving who had been at the church since mid-morning. Not just greet them, but greet them in person! (Yes, physical distancing happened. No hugs.)
 
There were some nice (artificial) poinsettias which had been placed in the foyer to add some Christmas colour to welcome our food bank guests. There was very pleasant instrumental Christmas music playing on the sound system. Still, it is sad to know that tomorrow evening, Christmas Eve, there will be no service here. No collective sharing of the Christmas story. No energetic community singing of favourite songs. Along with all of you, I miss the people. I miss the sound of visiting. I miss the laughter. I miss the sharing of the week’s stories. I miss the worship. I miss the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our worship services – especially at Christmas.
 
Let me end on a positive note. In our “Virtual Visiting Fellowship Meeting” this week I shared a video clip from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in which Linus shares with his friends the “true meaning of Christmas” by reciting the story of the appearance of the angels to the shepherds and their message to them. Follow that link to see the clip yourself. (Watch for Linus symbolically dropping his security blanket just as he begins to quote the angels, “Fear not…”) Or, better yet, re-read the Christmas stories yourself: Luke 2:1-20 (the one with the shepherds) and Matthew 1:18 to 2:12 (the one with the wise men). Besides reminding you of the reason we celebrate Christmas, these stories can bring hope and encouragement in a year that has been lacking in positive community emotions.
 
Marian and I felt good about our minor role in helping ensure a few Food Bank clients had a happier Christmas. We look forward to our “virtual” gatherings with family over the next few days. We also look forward to returning to in-person congregational gatherings sometime in the new year.
 
I wish for each of you the best of the Christmas season. May you feel the blessings and promise of the birth of the baby Jesus. May you remember in your celebrations all of the blessings that may be a part of your life. May you also take time to remember those who need an interest in your prayers of support for the challenges they may be facing. And then, may we all look forward to a good and happy new year!
 
As always, I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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

Apostle Carlos Mejia in Honduras reports that Hurricane Eta damaged the northern part of the country on November 4, followed on November 17 by Hurricane Iota that destroyed many roads and bridges throughout the country. Communication since has been unreliable, Mejia says.

The Presiding Bishopric indicates $40,000 in Community of Christ Oblation Aid has been sent to assist in response to the storm damage. Oblation aid is part of the Worldwide Mission budget.

"We had not yet woken up from Hurricane Eta when the other Hurricane Iota arrived. This was an experience never lived for some generations," Mejia said.  

"Several of our members and many families in general lost everything. Reaching some neighborhood communities is like reaching a war zone, everything is destroyed. At this moment there are many places that the water is still flooding the houses and it is impossible to reach these people with help."

"Thank you to the entire church for your support in these difficult times," he concluded in a recent message to International Headquarters.  

Supporting Worldwide Mission Tithes helps meet needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, storms, and fires around the world. 

May we remember and pray for all those affected by these tragedies.

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
This coming Sunday (December 20) will be the last of the four Sundays of Advent. Advent is the first season of the liturgical year as supported by the “Revised Common Lectionary.” Some of you may be asking, “Steve – what does that sentence even mean?” Let me deal with those key terms in reverse order and ultimately concentrate on Advent.
 
The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of weekly themes and related scriptures that cover the major stories of the Bible. It is around these themes and scriptures that the weekly Worship Resources are based, as published each year by Herald House. The Revised Common Lectionary has a history that I cannot summarize here but that is well documented in the introductory pages of the print version of our Worship Resources each year. The Revised Common Lectionary was adopted by the church in 1995 as a basis for our worship planning. Relevant scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants and/or the Book of Mormon are added on most Sundays to ensure representation of our “additional witnesses of Jesus Christ” in our worship planning.
 
The “liturgical year” is the calendar of significant events in Christianity around which the Revised Common Lectionary is built. It includes the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost and then “Ordinary Time” for the months between Pentecost and Advent. Other than Christmas and Easter, I associated those terms with other “main-line” Christian denominations – Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc. – from the time I first became aware of them (probably in high school) until well into young-adult-hood (early to mid-1980’s). Then we started to hold “Maundy Thursday” services just before Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Then Advent became part of our worship planning in the early 1990’s or so. And the other seasons became known to us as we became more familiar with the worship planning cycle.
 
“Advent” has two meanings in Christianity. It refers to “a time of preparation and penitence before Jesus’ birth” (Worship Resources). “Advent also refers to the second coming of Christ and the final judgment that accompanies the coming of the kingdom of God.” Also, “historically, Advent is a time of fasting and repentance, yet it has strong overtones of joy as the Christmas season approaches.” (Dictionary of Bible and Religion, Gentz) That “fasting and repentance” part has somehow escaped me for all these years. I generally look to the prevailing themes of hope, joy, peace, and love as precursors to the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas. The “overtones of joy” have definitely taken precedence for me.
 
My hope is that you are enjoying the hope, joy, peace and love aspects of this Advent season. It has not been an easy year for us. Despite the restrictions on household gatherings in most areas, I hope you are being able to plan events that will enable you to be in contact – even if by phone or video conferencing tools – with your loved ones. This will undoubtedly be a Christmas that we will all remember for a long time – but for reasons that none of us anticipated last Christmas.
 
May you truly be able to celebrate this last Sunday of Advent with its emphasis on love. It is important that we remember and celebrate both the human love we have for one another and the divine love that is shared between God and each and every one of us.
 
As always, I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.
​
​Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
COVID-19 Update

Just before getting to our “We Share” topic, there have been some substantial changes in provincial strategies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the four provinces in which congregations operate in the Canada West Mission Centre have implemented significantly revised procedures, some of which affect congregational worship and other church gatherings. These changes are very briefly summarized in this Updated Summary of Provincial Requirements. Links to more details on provincial websites are provided. Please at least review the summary for your awareness.
 
We Share…Scripture in Community of Christ
 
This is the 12th and final in a series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
In the book, Sharing in Community of Christ, upon which this series of columns is based, the section dealing with “Scripture in Community of Christ” can be found on pages 63 to 67. The section consists of a “Preamble” statement followed by nine “Affirmation” paragraphs. Each of the Affirmation paragraphs are very tightly worded and do not lend themselves well to summarization or abbreviation. Rather than trying to do so, I will pick a few key concepts from the Affirmations to share as examples.
 
From Affirmation 1: “We declare that Jesus Christ…is the Living Word of God. It is to Christ that scripture points.”
 
From Affirmation 3: “Scripture is a library of books that speaks in many voices. These books were written in diverse times and places, and reflect the languages, cultures, and conditions under which they were written. God’s revelation through scripture does not come to us apart from the humanity of the writers, but in and through that humanity.”
 
Affirmation 5 (quoted in its entirety): “Scripture is vital and essential to the church, but not because it is inerrant (in the sense that every detail is historically or scientifically correct). Scripture makes no such claim for itself. Rather, generations of Christians have found scripture simply to be trustworthy in keeping them anchored in revelation, in promoting faith in Christ, and in nurturing the life of discipleship. For these purposes, scripture is unfailingly reliable (2 Timothy 3:16-17).”
 
Affirmation 9 (also quoted in its entirety): “With other Christians, we affirm the Bible as the foundational scripture for the church. In addition, Community of Christ uses the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. We do not use these sacred writings to replace the witness of the Bible or improve upon it, but because they confirm its message that Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God (Preface of the Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants 76:3g). We have heard Christ speak in all three books of scripture, and bear witness that he is “alive forever and ever” (Revelation 1:18).”
 
Scripture varies in age and nature from the ancient accounts of God’s mighty acts among ancient peoples (Book of Genesis and much of the Hebrew Bible – or Old Testament) to modern prophetic revelation that is current and relevant to the challenges of the world today (the latest sections of the Doctrine and Covenants originating in the last two to sixty years). All of scripture is worthy of our study and efforts at discerning its message for us in our own lives. The revelatory experiences with God, recorded by humans with the best words and language available to them to express the unexpressable, are available to us today to study, to interpret, and from which to learn and gain wisdom. It is a lifelong opportunity and challenge available to anyone.
 
If you have an interest in pursuing questions or further discussion about scripture in the Community of Christ, please contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.
 
This is the last in our “We Share” series. I commend the book referenced above for your reading pleasure and study. It is the best current statement of what defines Community of Christ as a Christian denomination. If you are someone newly interested in Community of Christ, get to know us a bit better through this book. If you are a member of Community of Christ, get to know your church a little better and be more prepared for sharing the church with your friends and associates.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.
​
​Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca

In his most recent video, President Steve Veazey shares some important updates and words of encouragement with the church. As you prepare to hear his message, consider these additional resources:
​

• View the principles and guidelines for offering the sacraments through online means during the pandemic that President Veazey references in his message. 
• Listen to the Project Zion Podcast "Sharing Sacraments During COVID" where Linda Booth sits down with Scott Murphy to discuss these guidelines and what they mean for the church.

President Veazey's video has subtitles in French and Spanish.  

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
This is the 11th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
“We Proclaim… Jesus Christ.” The Community of Christ’s belief in Jesus Christ has been emphasized in the explanations of many of the “We Share” columns:

• Our “vision for creation” (We Share #2) is centered on the symbol of the empty Christian cross and the revelation of Jesus Christ in his life, death, and resurrection.
• Our name, Community of Christ, (We Share #3) is a statement of our primary identity and purpose “to proclaim Jesus Christ.”
• “We share the Peace of Jesus Christ” was the focus of We Share #4.
• Further, “Christ’s Mission is Our Mission!” as drawn from Luke 4:18-19 (We Share #6).
• The primary elements in our Basic Beliefs are God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (We Share #8).
• Finally, almost all of the sacraments (We Share #10) are based on the instructions or the example of the ministry of Jesus.

 
After all of those affirmations of faith and belief in Jesus Christ, why is it necessary to have a statement explicitly aimed at our proclamation of Jesus? It is to further emphasize and confirm the primacy of that faith and belief, and to make a clear statement of our place in historic Christianity. Much to the surprise of some persons who may be detractors of Community of Christ, we ARE a CHRISTIAN denomination! From the time of our establishment in 1830, through our “reorganization” in 1860, and our name change in 2001, our focus and reason for being has been to witness of the life, death, resurrection, and continuing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!
 
In the book, Sharing in Community of Christ, upon which this series of columns is based, the section of “We Proclaim Jesus Christ” can be found on pages 58 to 60. There are nine statements affirming our proclamation of Jesus. They will not be repeated in their entirety here, but even the first phrases of each one is affirmative, explanatory, and worth listing:

1. As members of Community of Christ, we are bound together with Christians in every place and in every time by our confession of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, author of our salvation, and head of the church.
2. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, both fully human and fully divine…
3. By the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus, born of Mary, came into the world to live and dwell among us to reveal God’s nature and will…
4. Jesus was betrayed by his own friends…and sentenced… to die on a cross…
5. On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead…
6. Christ is our peace…
7. The church, the body of Christ, is called to proclaim the gospel until Christ comes again…
8. The promises of God in Jesus Christ are sure…
9. …Putting our trust in the Risen Christ, present among us by the Holy Spirit, we press on together…

 
There is much to explore about a faith and life based on the ministry and example of Jesus Christ. Entire lifetimes of ministry have been dedicated to the task. Uncountable books, from authors both in Community of Christ and in other faith traditions, have been written about it. All such efforts, ultimately, find their basis in the scriptural record of Jesus Christ. I certainly commend that record to your reading and study.
 
If you have an interest in pursuing questions or further discussion about the place of Jesus Christ in the Community of Christ, please contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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

In accordance with Harmony's mission to provide advocacy, education, and resources for Queer voices in Community of Christ, we offer this four-part series with Sexologist Dr. Jill McDevitt. 

​The purpose of this series is to provide our members and the public with meaningful and science-based information concerning human sexuality and gender identity as well as insight into common areas of struggle for the Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ Community such as shame, intimacy, power and agency, pleasure, and more. This series is meant to provide individuals with accurate and thought-provoking information that has the power to improve lives.

Utilizing the Experiential Learning Model of sexual health education, this workshop facilitates self-reflection and provides participants with a framework for understanding sexuality as a broad and interconnected topic that impacts nearly every aspect of being human. Through the collaborative development of the 7 Circles of Sexuality Wall, a bevy of topic ideas for future events will also be generated.

Dates/Times​​

• ​Saturday, December 5 @ 10 AM BC /11 AM AB/ 12 PM SK-MB

​Meeting details will be emailed to registrants.

Pricing

• Member rate: FREE for current 2020 members of Harmony
• Non-member rate: $10 per person
• SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE (see details on registration form)​

Join us on December 6 for a free online Advent worship service with special music, including participation from many locations. 

The event will open with Christmas carols from Mexico, the Asia field, and Zambia. The three members of the First Presidency will welcome viewers. After scripture from the Gospel of Luke, Ron Harmon Jr. will offer a Prayer of Invitation and Anticipation. Apostle Mareva Arnaud Tchong from French Polynesia will deliver the homily.

While most of the event will be played from a recording, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be live. The invitation will be presented simultaneously in English (First Presidency), Spanish (Apostle Carlos Enrique Mejia), and French (Apostle Bunda Chibwe). Members will answer "Where do you see (Joy/Hope/Love/Peace) Being Born Today?," with an opportunity for social media responses from viewers.

The Disciples' Generous Response will come from Andrew Fox, field bishop of Eurasia Mission Field. Prayers for Peace come next, followed by an international children's choir performing CCS #420, "Star-Child."

Grammy-nominated Organist-in-Residence Jan Kraybill will perform:

• Congregational hymn:  "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" (CCS #400) on organ
• Sacrament of the Lord's Supper: "Wachet auf," an Advent hymn, by J.S. Bach
• Reading: "Canticle of the Turning" (CCS #404), improvised piano music under reading
• Postlude: Improvised organ postlude incorporating "Silent Night" and "Joseph, Kind Joseph"

This message of the holiday season will air at 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. CST on Facebook and YouTube.

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
I will return to the “We Share” series next week.
 
This column, “A Moment with the Mission Centre President,” got started back in March for the purpose of addressing the rapidly changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the members and congregations of Canada West Mission Centre. The current situation with the pandemic of the last couple of weeks makes addressing it from a church context relevant again.
 
The ”second wave” of the pandemic was predicted almost from the very beginning of the “first wave” in the early part of this year. Further, it was predicted to be worse than the first wave. That is exactly the situation in which we find ourselves across Western Canada at this time: more diagnosed infections than in the spring; more people in hospital and in Intensive Care Units; front-line workers who are even more exhausted than in the spring; and, sadly, more deaths in all jurisdictions.
 
You, and your circle of friends, acquaintances, and associates, will all have experienced the last 8 months quite differently. You may or may not know people who have been infected – with or without symptoms, with or without hospitalization. You may or may not know anyone who’s death was attributed to COVID-19. You, or someone you know, may be confined to a continuing care facility where COVID-related restrictions have affected everyone, whether infected or not. Perhaps you or someone you know have had scheduled surgeries or treatments delayed due to the priority assigned to dealing with the pandemic.
 
The church gave initial direction on closure of congregations around the world in mid-March. This was followed by several updates up to, and including, the release of guidelines for cautious re-opening of congregations in late May. Over the summer, church leadership released guidelines for the conduct of sacraments (other than baptism) in situations where officiating priesthood members and receiving members could not be in close proximity to each other. On the more “business” side, guidelines were also released to help local jurisdictions hold meetings to conduct needed business using video-conferencing tools.
 
Pastors and leaders in all congregations in the Canada West Mission Centre have been doing what they can to maintain communication with members. Those efforts have included online meeting opportunities and/or regular messages or newsletters sent to members. I am also aware of some very intentional telephone ministry that has occurred to ensure contact is maintained, comfort is provided, and spiritual connection and support is reinforced. Over the summer some congregations were able to enjoy some outdoor activities that at least brought people together in a physically-distanced manner. Beginning in September some congregations initiated in-person weekly worship services while abiding by World Church and local health authority directives and guidelines. Most have discontinued in-person services again in the face of the “up-tick” in cases in their surrounding areas.
 
Our camps and retreats were cancelled in their usual in-person formats. Many were “re-incarnated” in online formats that appear to have been mostly well-received.
 
All of us are looking forward to getting back to some semblance of “normal” whenever circumstances allow. It is very likely that the new “normal” will be different from the old “normal” that we left behind in March. I expect that congregations will continue to offer online ministry for members and friends in some form. Camps and retreats may also very well continue some form of online components. Personal attendance and participation habits in all church activities have been interrupted by the pandemic and may or may not return to their habitual and traditional forms.
 
Our collective and individual experience of church and of our life of faith may be quite different in the months following the pandemic. The world and life, generally, certainly will be quite different as well. Speculation about all of that will need to wait for another time.
 
Let me close this review and summary with the affirmation that God, directly and through the Holy Spirit, continues to be with us and to bless us in all of our lives. A scripture shared in a “Virtual Visiting Fellowship” meeting this week seems appropriate to close with here:

Do not be discouraged. You have not been promised an easy path, but you have been assured that the Spirit that calls you will also accompany you. …
Do not be defined by the things that separate you but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ.
(Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 162:3a,5a)
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
This is the 10th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
Today, “We Share…Sacraments.”
 
The sacraments of the church are shared or celebrated at times of the intersection of our human experience with God’s concern for our well-being. “Sacraments bring God’s grace, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the example of the life of Jesus Christ together with one’s personal commitment of faith. Through the sacraments, we discover the presence of God everywhere and realize that all life is sacred.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 44)
 
Community of Christ has eight sacraments which touch people at different times in their lives.
 
Baptism is celebrated when a person makes a decision to recognize the initiative of God in the person’s life. It is the culmination of a person’s choice to “follow Jesus Christ with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. … In baptism, we are immersed in water to symbolize death to sin and raised from the water to begin a new life.” (Sharing …, p. 44)
 
Confirmation is a prayer of blessing that, first, “affirms the Holy Spirit’s continued blessing for each disciple,” and, also, “’confirms’ membership in Community of Christ.” (Sharing …, p. 45) Two elders of the church lay their hands on the head of the person being confirmed and one of them offers the prayer. Confirmation usually follows shortly after a person’s baptism. However, if a person has been baptized in another Christian faith tradition (other than as an infant) that baptism can be recognized, and the person can be confirmed as a member of Community of Christ.
 
The Lord’s Supper (Communion) recalls the example set by Jesus in sharing in partaking in bread and wine for his disciples to remember him. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus told his disciples (Luke 22:19 NRSV). Communion is normally celebrated by congregations in their worship service on the first Sunday of each month. It is also often shared at other special occasions of gatherings of church members. Partaking of the “emblems” (bread and non-alcoholic grape juice) is open to all persons attending the service who have made a commitment to Jesus, even if in a different denomination.
 
Ordination “recognizes the divine initiative to call certain disciples to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.” (Sharing …, p. 47) Ordination is normally conducted in a public worship service by two current priesthood members who lay their hands on the head of the person being ordained. One of the priesthood members offers the prayer of ordination to the priesthood “office” to which the person has been called.

Blessing of Children is offered in commemoration of two events in Jesus’ life. First, when Mary and Joseph took him, as a young child, to the Temple “to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:21-35) and when during his ministry parents brought their children to him to be blessed (Mark. 10:14). Today parents may choose to bring their infant children, or children up to the age of 7, to be blessed in a public worship service. Typically, one minister holds the child and the other offers the prayer of blessing. For a child older than an infant, the child will sit in a chair and the ministers will lay their hands on the child’s head and one will offer the prayer.
 
Laying on of Hands for the Sick involves two significant symbols of God’s presence: consecrated olive oil and the laying on of hands. When a person has a specific need – usually a physical illness or injury, or sometimes a challenge of a spiritual or mental health nature – the person may call the elders for a “prayer of administration” as it is often called. One minister will anoint the person’s head with a drop of consecrated olive oil, a physical representation of the Holy Spirit, and then both ministers lay their hands on the person’s head as one offers the prayer. This sacrament is normally conducted in private – sometimes in the Pastor’s Study of a church, or in a person’s home, or in a hospital room.
 
Marriage. “Christian marriage is a sacred covenant between two people for lifelong, healthy, loving companionship. Marriage is also a legal agreement. The sacrament of marriage highlights God’s desire to strengthen and enrich the marriage.” (Sharing …, p. 49) “Community of Christ priests and elders may perform this sacrament, regardless of the couple’s membership in Community of Christ, as long as local laws governing marriage are followed.” (Sharing …, p. 50)
 
Evangelist Blessing is a sacramental prayer that “expresses the universal love of God for the recipient(s) and brings assurance, clarifies choices, and provides light for a lifetime of faithful discipleship in response to God.” (Sharing …, p. 50) This sacrament is typically requested by an individual, but might also be requested by a couple, a family, or even an entire congregation. The Evangelist who will offer the prayer will spend some significant time in preparation with the individual (or group) to ensure there is a good understanding of the needs to be addressed by the prayer. It is possible for a person to have more than one Evangelist Blessing as a person’s life circumstances and needs change and evolve.
 
These descriptions of the sacraments of Community of Christ are very brief due to the constraints of space in this format. Much more could be presented about each one. If you have an interest in any one or more of the sacraments of the church, please contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.

I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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

Jan Kraybill, Community of Christ organist-in-residence, often enjoys hearing and answering her audience’s questions, especially if she’s playing a demonstration concert at the Temple or Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, USA. But because the world is dealing with a pandemic, her next performances are for online audiences.

During free internet premiers at 7:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time on both September 13 at the Temple organ and at the Auditorium organ on September 14, Jan Kraybill took video viewers behind the scenes, inside these massive instruments, to view aspects never seen by live audiences. The videos were recorded in Independence, MO.

Watch the Auditorium Pipe Organ Demonstration and the Temple Pipe Organ Demonstration videos in the Community of Christ YouTube channel. The videos will remain on the church’s YouTube channel for later viewing. 

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
First, let me share this… I am writing late on Wednesday afternoon, the day after the U.S. election. It does not feel right not to mention this significant event. We may not know who has won this election until as late as Friday. It is in no way appropriate to express support for one politician or one party over another in a church ministry context. It is enough to note that there are strong feelings and emotions that have been generated in this election on both sides of the American electoral divide. I know that perspectives from both of those sides are shared and supported among members of Community of Christ in the Canada West Mission Centre. It is important that we pray for civil and peaceful actions in these days and that society avoids the potential for violence. I commend to you this Letter from the U.S.A. Team of Apostles, published last week. It is truly a prayer for this restraint written from the U.S. perspective. It is expressed far better than this concerned Canadian can. Let us pray for the well-being of all of our American brothers and sisters.

Now, back to today’s theme… This is the 9th in a continuing series on the “We Share…” theme. For background, see the first entry in the series here: We Share #1
 
Today, “We Share…Whole-life Stewardship.”
Stewardship is the response of my people to the ministry of my Son and is required alike of all those who seek to build the kingdom. (Book of Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a)
 
And, from the Gospels:
From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:48 NRSV)
 
Stewardship is wisely managing the gifts and blessings of God in our lives and finding ways to give some of them back into God’s service. “Whole-life Stewardship” recognizes that gifts to us and gifts from us are in all areas of our lives, not just in our finances. “We serve through tithing of our time, talent, treasure, and testimony. We describe this as whole-life stewardship. Being good stewards of our lives is our ultimate calling as generous disciples.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 39)
 
Six principles are defined as being a disciple’s generous response:

1. God gifts each person with boundless grace and unending love. God’s gifts for each of us are expressed through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
2. When we faithfully respond to the ministry of Jesus Christ we become accountable to one another, God, and ourselves. Our response to God’s gifts of love and grace is to serve others and let generosity become part of our nature.
3. Managing the money we have, no matter the amount, expresses our desire to love and help God, neighbors, ourselves, and the world. When we focus our giving on God’s purposes, our hearts become more aligned with God’s heart.
4. Tithing is a spiritual practice. It is a gift of thanksgiving to God in response to God’s generous gifts to us. When we share our tithes, the church can spread joy, hope, love, and peace around the world so others can experience God’s generosity, too.
5. Saving is a way to prepare for the future. It gives us the chance to extend our love and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the church’s mission, and the world.
6. Responsible spending is a commitment to live a healthy, happy life together with God and others. The teachings of Jesus challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are often counter-cultural. (Sharing …, pp. 41-42)

 
Practicing good stewardship takes intentionality and discipline. It is easy to use our blessings entirely for our own benefit. As a disciple we are called to resist that temptation and to use our blessings – of time, of talent, of testimony, and of treasure – to help further God’s purposes.
 
“You are invited to a journey of whole-life stewardship in response to God’s amazing generosity in your life as we seek to build communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.” (Sharing …, p. 43)
 
For more information about our Basic Beliefs, contact the writer or a congregation near you. Material for this column is drawn primarily from the book, available online, Sharing in Community of Christ: Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs.
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.

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