 Join us once more for Haven: a chance to unwind, a chance to reflect. Haven is a weekly online meditative spiritual practice experience that invites you to breathe and rest in spirit.
Tune in on Wednesday evenings at 7:40 pm PT/ 8:40 pm MT/ 9:40 pm CT. The room will open 10 min early and stay open 5 min after. You can just come and leave your camera and mic off – rest for a while at the end of the day. Is this your first time joining? Email sandra@communityofchrist.ca for an invitation and we will add you to the list. Blessings, Kat Goheen Mission Centre Co-President Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  Rolling Reunion continued…The Plano Stone Church The bus tour stopped at 2 of our Community of Christ congregations. Our first congregation was in Plano, Illinois. The Plano Stone Church was constructed in 1862 and served as the church headquarters till 1881 when the headquarters moved with Joseph Smith to Lamoni Iowa. Plano Stone Church was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It was dark as the bus rolled up to the block that the church and fellowship hall occupied. We were the guests of the Mission and Plano congregations for dinner in the separate Roger’s Hall. We were able to visit with the congregation. They had a meal ready for us (we were late!). Then we went across the pathway lit by phone flashlights to the church. My pictures do not do the building justice. A true piece of our History! What a beautiful building! The pews and pulpit were made from native lumber by church members and are still in use today. We had a wonderful worship service in the Plano Stone church and when we left the building, we again used phone flashlights to light the way to the bus. On Sunday October 8, we travelled in the bus to the Community of Christ church in Johnson City, New York. Denyse, our bus driver, did an amazing job of getting us to the church on the narrow city streets. We were met on the sidewalk by 2 church members. One of the church members was dressed in a suffragette costume (part of which her grandmother wore to a protest march). The Community of Christ church is a wonderful building. It is 2 stories with the chapel above the activity and classroom floor. The chapel has a beautiful high ceiling with amazing wooden beams. The service theme was “Stories to Tell, Stories to Hear”. We were told the story of the building of this church. Done by the hands of the church members including the women. The box on the pulpit was the story I most enjoyed. That box is a PIE box, it holds 4 pies. The women baked and sold pies to finance the building of the church. We were welcomed and had a wonderful worship service with them. After we went downstairs to tables with flowers set for a meal. We shared the meal and visited but soon had to leave as we were on our way to the Hale Home and Farm (owned and maintained by the LSD church). We got back on the bus and had a class on the drive. The class was “Emma’s Years in Harmony (and the Hale Family). Rolling Reunion continues...  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca  You likely know that our Executive Director, Kristin Douglas, will soon be off to bring a new life into the world. Kristin will be off on maternity leave once her baby arrives later in October. We wish Kristin and her family the very best of health, happiness and joy during this time. In her usual generous style she has offered to continue to stay connected during this time of transition and has reminded us that she is never far away. We have other wonderful news to share. We are pleased to welcome Florestan Fillon as World Accord’s interim Executive Director. Florestan (Flo) has already started in this role and will spend several days learning alongside Kristin prior to her maternity leave. This will ensure a smooth transition, and we are grateful Flo was available to make this happen. Flo has lived in more than 20 countries throughout five continents and has substantial experience in international and community development. He has worked with organisations in policy development, communications, climate resilience, gender equity, donor recruitment, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, and a host of other areas. His formal education includes a Masters in Community Development (International Development focus) from UVic, a bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Management from NEOMA Business School in Reims, France. Born in France, Flo makes his home in Ottawa. He is passionate to learn and come alongside World Accord staff, partners, donors, and the Board as we all strive to make a difference through partnership and collaboration. Flo is excited to be part of the excellent work World Accord’s staff and partners have pursued for over 40 years. Flo loves to spend time in nature, and above all, he loves people and getting to know their unique perspectives. A lover of all the arts, including writing poetry, singing and playing multiple instruments (guitar, piano and mandolin), Flo is equally comfortable on a soccer pitch, having coached the sport for over 10 years. At this time of transition, we thank our staff, partners, donors, supporters, advocates and friends for your ongoing support. The Board also wishes to thank Kristin for her tremendous efforts and successes so far in her tenure as Executive Director, and we look forward to her return. In the meantime, we know World Accord will continue to be in good hands with our current staff, Isabelle Hachette and Ann Meinzinger, and with the addition of Flo serving as our interim Executive Director. With appreciation,
World Accord Board of Directors Please read the important statement below from the First Presidency for an update on President Veazey and the Discernment Process.  Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  Community of Christ Historic Bus Tour Rolling Reunion - this is the name that Dennis Carr gave the group on the bus. This began back in November 2022. I got a note from Brenda Senga about a tour being offered by the Community of Christ Historical Society. The title intrigued me; “A Story to Tell: Women in Community of Christ History”. A Historic sites bus tour Oct 2-12, 2023. Tour Highlights: Church Historic Sites and Stories, Women’s History in the USA, Glorious Fall Foliage and more! Thanks to Brenda, Linda Phelps and I joined other members of Community of Christ on the rollin’ reunion bus! Our hosts were Barbara Walden and Peter Smith with our Windstar bus driver Denise! We drove approximately 3,249 MILES on that bus! Our rollin’ home had screens for movies, seat belts, AC, an overhead storage bin space, footrests and you could plug in your device and charge it. Yes, there was a toilet too!. We held devotions and classes on the bus and every morning you move three seats ahead/behind so you got a different view and talked with new people. The bus started in Independence, Missouri and we went into Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Indiana and Massachusetts. We had people from all over North America; British Columbia, Saskatchewan, California, Kansas, Florida, Missouri, Maryland, Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Washington. When I was in my mid-teens, our family made a trip cross Canada and into the states. My dad’s sister Florence lived in Missouri. On the way to visiting family, we stopped in Kirtland Ohio to visit the temple. This was over 50 years ago. Kirtland Temple is a very special place to me. My dad got to sit where his priesthood call allowed him to. When I stepped into the lower sanctuary, it all came back to me and I felt my dad there with me. Next week the sharing will continue…on the rollin’ reunion bus!  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  I’m writing this during a peaceful moment on Thanksgiving Day. In this moment I’m feeling grateful for Shannon, Gwyn, and Becky – to be on this great team. I’m feeling grateful for our pastors and financial officers who give us the stability to grow and dream. I’m loving our staff, Sandra and Debra, and our advisory council and prayer partners. I’m so glad to learn about the possibilities for using social media in our organization from Parker. I’m full of thanks that Lisa stepped in to manage our online registrations this past year. I’m so appreciative of Steve and Bob for stepping into our Historian and Recorder roles. I love the energy that our Seventies are bringing to their role. I’m appreciating our leadership from the World Church level through Art, and through our bishop, Dar. It’s people--relationships--that make this church so amazing, along with our message of inclusion and transformation through Jesus Christ. I heard tell of an informal question arising from Mission Conference asking what the Mission Centre actually does to benefit us. As a congregational leader I have asked this question myself, usually at budget time! As I shared with the saints in Calgary in our Friday night conference gathering, the Mission Centre isn’t a specific space with an office and copier anymore. It reminds me more of Jesus in his time – a merry band of followers who wander (at least on zoom!) and serve. Maybe we’re more like Paul: less wandering and more supporting ourselves by our labours! What do we get from our Mission Centre? Hopefully you are receiving leadership that relieves burdens on local leaders. Communication that connects us to the broader church. Support for congregations in transition. Continual examination of issues that concern our church in Canada overall. The day-to-day administration making sure our important events are marked and priesthood calls processed. Sustained support for the enhancement of our camping program. One thing that I am truly grateful for is that I no longer ask the question of what the Mission Centre is doing for me or my local folks, because I’m busy doing it. The Mission Centre is just people, the way the church is, and you and I are so fortunate to be among them! Please trust that your leadership wants to create meaningful experiences for you and has a mandate of streamlining our budget to the benefit of local groups. Please also trust that you have a voice, and that your hands and feet and hearts are most welcome in the mission of Jesus Christ in western Canada. We are better together. Thanksgiving blessings of grace!  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca Written by Shannon McAdam Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  2023 Mission Centre Conference Recap Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for this year’s mission centre conference either online or from one of our in-person sites! All four of us on the Mission Centre President team were warmly hosted by the congregations we were in: Becky in Edmonton, Kat in Calgary, Gwyn in Chilliwack, and myself, Shannon, in Regina. It was so good to see many of you “in the flesh” and to share meals and conversation. Our business meeting went very smoothly and quickly! Many thanks to all those who attended our pre-legislative sessions on Sunday and Wednesday before conference to ask your great questions. Also thanks to Dar for the financial update and Q&A session provided Saturday morning. We did have some discussion as to whether we should move our mission centre conference to another time of year so we have more financial information for our decision-making. A highlight of the morning was a call-to-action video from Caitlin about our camping programs. Thank you to those who have already raised their hand to say they wish to support this important ministry with their time and talents. In the afternoon we heard from a few folks who had attended Community of Christ World Conference about their experiences, and also heard an update from Art Smith about the Canada Church. The highlights of our business meeting included:
We passed our 2024 budget with no amendments. You can view all the details by downloading the program in our Conference Hub website here. I highly recommend you take some time to review the full program as you will find not only our business meeting and financial information, but also reports from congregations, from our Mission Centre staff, and about the programs like the Seventies Project that your donations are supporting. And of course we had wonderful experiences of worship and fun. Each morning an Evangelist led us in spiritual practices before starting our day. Kat hosted a rousing virtual campfire with song leaders from all over the mission centre. Chilliwack hosted our Sunday morning communion service where our Apostle Art Smith offered a stirring message. We look forward to doing it all again next year!  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, Becky and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca becky@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca  A celebration of life service will be held for Wallace B. Smith, president emeritus of Community of Christ on Sunday, October 8th at 2:00 p.m. CST (find your time zone).
The service will be hosted at the Community of Christ Temple, 201 South River Blvd., Independence, Missouri, USA, and streamed live on YouTube. Doors at the temple open at 1:00 p.m. CST.  Greetings from Becky (Rebecca) Middleton!
As the newest member of your Mission Centre Presidency team, I would like to introduce myself. For any of you who don't know me, I am a Beer from BC on my mother's side, a Levitt from Alberta on my father's side, and a Middleton from Saskatchewan on the married side! I have been the pastor of the Senlac congregation for more years than I remember and I am familiar with many of the congregations across the mission centre. I have been involved with the Bridge of Hope campaign in the past as well as with World Accord and the projects in Honduras, working alongside my husband Doug. I have currently been on the advisory team for family camp at Hills of Peace as well as being involved in all aspects of staffing at HOP in the past. I am humbled to be asked to join the Mission Centre Presidency Team and I hope to be an asset for the team and lend my support in any way I can. We look to move forward with succession planning so that each one involved with mission centre administration may be mentored and introduced to the needs of the mission centre in a way that is not overwhelming, but instead is an enjoyable experience. Thank you to the team for asking me to be involved and thanks to you all who have entrusted me with this position. Please feel free to reach out to me as one of the Mission Centre Presidency team with any thoughts or concerns you have. I will try my best not to disappoint you! Faithfully yours, Becky Middleton  Reunion time has come and gone but t-shirt designs are here! This summer, we collected the top 3 t-shirt designs from every reunion to compete in the World Accord t-shirt design contest. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 14 designs across the country.
Now, we need you to cast your vote! Help us determine the winner of our contest. The winner will receive a $100 gift to a place of their choosing or a place that World Accord recommends, as well as have their design featured on our new shirts at next years reunions. We will also feature the winning shirt and winner on our social media (if you are willing). To vote, please click on the button below. Please cast your vote no later than Wednesday, October 4th at 6pm. The winner will be announced by Monday, October 9th. Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  Please welcome Rebecca (Becky) Middleton to the Canada West Mission Centre presidency! Some may wonder why we are adding a fourth person to the team. Succession Planning is why. When I agreed to be part of the volunteer mission centre team I was asked to commit to 2 years. Well, 2 years is over and I am just starting to understand the needs of all of you! I am not going anywhere this year but retirement is calling me. With succession planning, I can leave and in a few years might step back into the team. Becky will be adding her thoughts and ideas on what our mission centre needs. She will be learning alongside us. As we continue the journey, Becky will learn some of the pieces that we have learned. I am sure she will discover things we haven’t! Becky and I are first cousins. Becky’s mom Mable and my dad Alfred were sister and brother. Even knowing her all my life, I am sure to find out so much more about her and how capable she is. Succession planning has begun in the mission centre. From the beginning of the new volunteer team, we have been mentored by Steve Thompson, Art Smith and Dar Shepherdson in the ways and means to navigate within the church. Lisa Neudorf mentored showing me how to work with REGGIE. Andy McArthur and Briana McKenna worked with Jean Cravy to help with succession in the camp director field for Canada West. More plans are coming to assist the Mission Centre to meet the needs of the members. As we approach Mission Conference, consider whether you can extend mentorship in some areas or whether you would like to be mentored in some of the areas of the church that you are interested in volunteering for.  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca  The Hills of Peace Campground Association will hold its annual “All Members Meeting” (or “Annual General Meeting”) on Monday, September 25. The meeting will be held via Zoom and will begin at 7pm MDT. When the time comes, join Zoom Meeting by clicking HERE Zoom information is: Meeting ID: 848 1271 5433 Passcode: 175184 If you require non-smart-phone telephone access, please contact Steve Thompson (steve@communityofchrist.ca or 780-904-4389) for phone numbers and instructions. To download all the documents for the meeting, please click on the button below. The agenda will include a review of the past year’s highlight activities, election of three new board members, and a presentation of 2022 financial statements and a current financial update. Please note the need for three board members. We would love to have 1 or 2 members from Saskatchewan. We really need someone with good communications and social media skills. All members should come with a familiarity with, and commitment to, the Hills of Peace. We serve to ensure the campground is successful. Please note: Members of congregations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and non-resident members in both provinces, will be most interested in this meeting as they are the defined “members” of the association. However, any interested person resident in the Canada West Mission Centre is welcome to attend. If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact any member of the Hills of Peace Executive Committee:
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
 Mission Conference is coming next weekend. Whether you’re at a host site or in your living room, I hope you’re able to join our gathering. This year we are going to share in a campfire as our Saturday night activity. Campfires are so wonderful; I remember spreading blankets out on the ground that all overlap each other, seeing sparks fly up into the canopy of stars, laughing so hard, then singing beautiful harmonies together. We can’t capture all of this magic inside and online, but I imagine that we can all find a friend or two, tune in online and create our own ‘campfires’ with a collection of candles and by lowering the lights. I’m excited to hear new campfire songs and familiar songs with different verses or motions. I look forward to settling into a contemplative space at the end of the night as we listen to some of our Wise Ones. We’ll have a good time resting in the Spirit together. So if you’re excited to lead a song or skit from wherever-you-will-be on September 23, please contact me at kat@communityofchrist.ca. You can plan ahead, you can be spontaneous, just come and make some memories!  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca  Liberty Hall invites everyone to gather online for their annual Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture and to celebrate Community of Christ Heritage Day.
Joseph Smith III, termed a "pragmatic prophet" by biographer Roger D. Launius, led the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 64 years, promoting "moderate Mormonism." While adopting a balanced approach on most issues, his unwavering stance denying his father's initiation of polygamy deviated from this pragmatism. Despite ample evidence from various sources, Joseph III chose to protect his father's reputation over addressing the concerns of the Latter Day Saint community. This lecture explores Joseph III's tenure, his missions to Utah, and the ongoing ramifications of his stance on polygamy for Community of Christ. Follow the lecture on YouTube or click the button below to join the Zoom meeting.
 The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) through the Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary has opened the following classes for enrollment:
Fall A Session (Aug. 28 - Oct. 22):
Note: The Christian Ministry Certificate class planned for this session has been postponed to give a session break to our students. We will continue these classes in the Fall B session. To enroll or for more information on these classes and the certificate programs, please visit www.graceland.edu/CIMM or click on the button below.  When our hearts are true but our way is unclear, courage is what sustains us! Join us at our Mission Centre Conference, September 22-24, as we share courage to act and build. We welcome you to join online or to gather at satellite sites of Chilliwack, Calgary, Edmonton, and Regina. For the first time, you can vote based on membership, not on being elected as a delegate. So come, share in the life of our church in Western Canada so that we may build our vision of God’s peace among us and build our courage to act as we build toward that vision.  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca  Share your good news, we want to celebrate with you!
Details and pictures will be included in our annual We Celebrate video for Mission Conference 2023. If you or anyone in your congregation celebrated an anniversary (60+ years), birthday (90+ years) or graduation (high school or college/university) since last mission conference, please send us the details and 1 or 2 pictures maximum. Make sure you include full names and dates. We have requested this information from all congregation pastors. Please check with your pastor to be sure you are not duplicating what is planned to be sent to us. Please send the requested information to Sandra Rodriguez (sandra@communityofchrist.ca) by no later than Monday, August 28.  This week we bring you a few highlights from Youth Camp at Samish Island. Lots of fun was had!  Yours in Christ,
Gwyn, Kat, and Shannon gwyn@communityofchrist.ca kat@communityofchrist.ca smcadam@communityofchrist.ca Please read the letter below from President Cramm and President Murphy for updates on President Veazey.  Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President  Here is another episode in my sharing of discernment facilitator training. This one is called, “Are we there yet?” and it traces the later stages of group discernment, from identifying the next right step to take, to establishing common consent, to seeking confirmation of the action, to getting from process to practice. I hope this fifteen minute video provides some inspiration! Previous videos in this series:
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