 By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Mission
The wars in the Middle East have had dramatic effects here in Canada. In his presentation at the Greater Toronto Area Peace Forum, Brian Carwana of the Encounter World Religions Centre proposes to help us step away from the noise of social media in order to better understand the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He will explain the stories of this land and these peoples and explain how key events in the past have led us to this place of conflict. Listeners will learn:
The presentation aims for balance by sharing facts as well as explaining both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian perspectives to help listeners understand different stances and interpretations. Dr. Carwana has given this presentation in many settings including workplaces, community groups, the general public, with both Jews and Muslims present, and the response has been consistently positive. The Greater Toronto Area Peace Forum will include many other presentations, workshops, and intergenerational activities! This is a great opportunity to connect with church members and to invite young people in our network who are more interested in activism than Sunday services.
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 ur book club returns this fall with the theme Reimagining Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World. Join us as we read and explore Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? by Brian D. McLaren together. In this work, American author, public theologian, speaker, and activist Brian D. McLaren explores how Christians can hold a strong and meaningful faith identity while relating to people of other religions with humility, respect, and generosity.
Over eight weeks, we’ll begin each session with prayer before exploring and discussing a set of chapters together. This isn’t intended to be an academic study, but a safe space for reading, reflection, and conversation. Facilitated by Beyond the Walls community members Vickie Thatcher and Don Wiley, sessions will take place Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET. The book is available for purchase online, but we encourage you to check your local bookstore or library first. Sep 10 — Week 1: The Crisis of Identity and the “Third Option” — Chapters 1–5 Sep 17 — Week 2: The Historical Challenge — Unmasking the Imperial Virus — Chapters 6–11 Sep 24 — Week 3: Doctrinal Healing — Creation, Sin, and Election — Chapters 12–14 Oct 1 — Week 4: Reimagining the Divine — Trinity, Christ, and Spirit — Chapters 15–18 Oct 8 — Week 5: The Liturgical Challenge — Rethinking the Christian Year — Chapters 19–21 Oct 15 — Week 6: The Table and the Altar — Eucharist and Interpretation — Chapters 22–23 Oct 22 — Week 7: Subversive Friendship and “With-ness” — Chapters 24–26 Oct 29 — Week 8: The Missional Challenge — Organizing for the Common Good — Chapters 27–29 Hosts: Vickie Thatcher and Don Wiley Dates: Thursdays, Sep 10–Oct 29 Time: 5:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET  Sr High campers, get ready for Thanksgiving weekend at Ziontario Campgrounds! Spend time with friends old and new while enjoying fall festivities, a Thanksgiving feast, movie night, trivia, comfort meals, a harvest festival, and even something spooky. 👻🎃 Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, come enjoy a weekend of laughter, games, good food, and time together at camp. Tell your family and friends — we don't want you to miss out! When: Oct 9 - 12 Where: Ziontario - 344516 North Line Priceville, ON Camper grades: 9 - first year university Directors: Jillian and Joycelyn Dailey Inquiries: [email protected] Registration Fee: $175 Never been to Ziontario? Discover a place where generations of campers have gathered to enjoy camps, retreats, friendship, and fun surrounded by the beauty of nature near Priceville, Ontario. Visit ziontario.ca  As a program of Community of Christ in Canada, Beyond the Walls seeks to highlight the unique expressions of ministry taking place across Canada. In the past year alone, 39 individuals who hold priesthood in the Canada Mission Centre have provided ministry in a Beyond the Walls service. In recent years, the Chilliwack congregation in British Columbia, the Woodfield and Kitchener congregations in Ontario, and the Ziontario campground have hosted Beyond the Walls services, allowing local voices to be heard far beyond their usual audiences while creating opportunities for people in the area to gather for worship and fellowship.
This time, Beyond the Walls travels to Calgary, Alberta, on Sep 13 for a special service with the Leadership Team of Community of Christ in Canada and the Calgary congregation. Director of Leadership Development Lanette Vawter will be our speaker. Whether in person or online through our usual YouTube and Facebook livestreams, we hope you will join us on September 13. Date: Sunday, Sep 13 Time: Doors open at 9:00 a.m. local time. The service begins at 9:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 11:00 a.m. CT / 12:00 p.m. ET. Location: Calgary Community of Christ 422 11 Ave. SE #112 Calgary, AB  Join us at Erie Beach Campground for a relaxing weekend with family and friends. Enjoy good food, youth activities, outdoor games, free time, a movie, and plenty of opportunities to visit and have fun together.
Bring your favourite cards, board games, crokinole boards, or outdoor games to share. Saturday will also include a silent auction supporting Erie Beach Campground, with campers invited to contribute new or like-new items, baked goods, or canned goods. The weekend wraps up Sunday with the annual Erie Beach Campground Fall Conference and a worship service. When: Fri, Sep 11, 7:00 PM EDT – Sun, Sep 13, 12:00 PM EDT Where: Erie Beach Campground, 830 Towanda Blvd, Blenheim ON How to register: Please contact our registrar Lori Tinline [email protected] Directors: Brian Jackson and Michelle Hannah Inquiries: [email protected] Registration Fees: $80 per individual, $140 per couple and $160 per Family Pre-Registration Deadline: Sep 7 If you are requesting a dorm, please let us know so we can reserve one for you. Registration will also be available at the campground on Friday, Sept 11.  This fall, learn something new about the church each week with the free live Zoom sessions from the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). This season’s presenters include members of the First Presidency, current and former apostles, members of the Spiritual Formation Team, historians, theologians, and others doing important work across the church. Topics range from the Israel/Palestine conflict, Community of Christ history, “God and Sex,” and liberation theology to sacraments, priesthood, and bylaws. Sessions begin September 2.
These free online sessions are held Wednesdays at 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT / 6 pm MT / 5 pm PT and are open to everyone. Upcoming Sessions
Register now to attend any or all of these free sessions.  By Vickie MacArthur, Lethbridge, AB As summer continues to heat up, as wildfires rage here in Canada and around the world, it seems almost insensitive to offer a retreat with the theme of Sacred Fire. Yet perhaps it's actually counterintuitive wisdom reminding us to stay present and see the world with clear minds and eyes wide open. Buddhists remind us to "practice like our hair is on fire," only now it's the world that's on fire. I believe it's more important than ever to retreat, to renew ourselves, connect to our inner wisdom, gather together in sacred community for healing and holding each other, for courage, and to chart new directions for ourselves and our world. As I watch the terrible ferocity of the fires on the news, it's tempting to turn my eyes away, to distract myself, to ignore the sense of fear and grief in my own heart. Yet as I watch the thousands of acres burn and listen to people's stories of homes and pets, and hope lost, I feel a tender thread of connection in my heart. I am reminded that we are all interwoven together in whatever the future holds for us. We need people and communities that have the courage to face the unprecedented times we are facing and not turn away. The Sacred Fire Retreat is about awakening the spark of love and courage in our hearts that saints and mystics from all traditions and throughout history have inspired through their lives and teachings. Saints and mystics like Teresa of Avila, Hildegard von Bingen, Rabia of Basra, Jalal al-Din Rumi, and many more sensed the deeper meaning and truths of life beyond the surface. They were rebels against the violence and injustice of their times. While they operated within the frameworks of their religious traditions, they spoke of the unity and connection of all. They often broke the rules of their own religions, opening the way for new truths to emerge. They taught others how to have their own experience of the sacred states and visions they described. They had a deep connection to the earth and all beings. They have much to teach us today. In her book Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground, Mirabai Starr reminds us that we all have the capacity to be everyday mystics. Our everyday life can be an encounter with the sacred if we know how to pay attention. While inspired by the saints and mystics throughout history, she helps us let go of the belief that spiritual life and wisdom belong only to a few chosen priests, teachers, or people in authority. "Embracing mysticism in our everyday lives is a way of being more alive in the world, an awakening to the interconnectedness between all things." — Mirabai Starr Join us for a weekend retreat as we experience the subversive wisdom and fierce love of the mystics across cultural boundaries and spiritual traditions. Discover your own inner mystic as you open to the stories of both ancient and modern-day mystics. Explore the essence of their teachings and practice:
When: Fri, Sep 18, 4:00 PM PDT – Sun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM PDT Where: Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre, 44005 Watt Rd, Lindell Beach, BC Guest Facilitators: Teresa Hanlon and Vickie MacArthur Director: Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Program Director Inquiries: [email protected] Fee: $300 Registration Deadline: Sep 4 Learn more about the Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre and their programming on their website. Want to know more about the Nurturing Spirit Retreats? Here’s what Debra Donohue, Creating Connection Program Director, shared with us about the 2026 spring retreat.  Explore upcoming online learning opportunities through the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). This fall's sessions offer courses in priesthood ministry, leadership development, discernment, and scripture, presented in partnership with Community of Christ and Graceland University.
These eight-week online classes are open to everyone and are structured for flexible participation. Each course includes weekly readings, discussion forums, and facilitator feedback, with assignments due Sundays by 2:00 p.m. CT. Fall A: August 24–October 18, 2026
Fall B: October 19–December 13, 2026
 Here is your opportunity to get away and spend some time at Hills of Peace for a weekend. There will be lots to eat (that includes pie), a chance to hang out with about 20 other men, and a communion worship service on Sunday morning. Lew Shepherdson—a member of the Ottawa congregation Pastorate Team—will lead a few sessions on the theme “Faith or Fear” over the weekend. We'll also work together to put the camp to bed for the winter. Don't be scared. Have some faith. Join us at the Hills of Peace Men's Retreat. You could hear about it, but why not experience it? When: Fri, Sep 18, 7:00 PM MDT – Sun, Sep 20, 12:00 PM MDT Where: Hills of Peace Campground, North West 2-38-6-West 4, Cadogan, AB, Canada Guest Minister: Lew Shephardson Director: Dan Esch Inquiries: [email protected] Fee: $195 Registration Deadline: Sep 14 Never been to Hills of Peace? Explore our facilities and our beautiful grounds at hillsofpeace.ca and discover a sacred and peaceful corner of creation that feels like home. Want to know more about the Men’s Retreat? Here’s how Becky Middleton, former member of the Canada West Mission Centre Presidency Team, described what happened at the 2025 session.  Quite a few years ago, an ambitious senior in Northern Ontario decided it was time for older adults in the church to have their own retreat. First called the Seniors' Retreat, then the Retirees Retreat, it has since become Young at Heart—a week of laughter, learning, friendship, and leisure at beautiful Camp Noronto on the shores of Lake Nipissing. This year's retreat takes place September 21–25 and features guest ministry by Becky Middleton, former member of the Canada West Mission Centre Presidency Team, who will lead sessions on the theme “The Power of Listening.” Throughout the week, participants will have opportunities to worship, learn, and spend time together. Alongside the daily program, participants can enjoy delicious meals prepared by Bonnie Bolger of the North Bay congregation, including a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Each evening, a crowd gathers to play "Pass the Ace," and if you choose not to play, you can simply sit back and listen to the roars of laughter. Several new events and activities have been added to this year's schedule. Come and enjoy renewing friendships and creating new ones. When: Mon, Sep 21 - Fri, Sep 25 Where: Camp Noronto, 59 Noronto Road, Monetville, ON Guest Minister: Becky Middleton Directors: Deb Whitworth and Darlene Kent Registrar: Doug Bolger Sr Registration Inquiries: [email protected] General Inquiries: [email protected] Registration Deposit: $50 Registration and Deposit Deadline: Aug 31 Never been to Noronto? Discover why this beautiful, pristine location on Lake Nipissing in Northern Ontario is a favourite spot for families and youth to share in the beauty of nature and the stillness of God. Visit noronto.ca Want to know more about the Young at Heart Retreat? Here’s what happened at the 2025 session. |
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