 By John Hamer, Director of Outreach and Innovative Mission
Immense suffering continues in Gaza and the West Bank even as media attention has shifted. Many of us in Canada want to help but may not know what meaningful action can look like. As part of our commitment to peace and justice, Community of Christ has joined Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical organization that works alongside Palestinian churches, charities, and NGOs seeking to alleviate suffering and support communities in the region. Destiny Magnet, Program Manager for Churches for Middle East Peace, will speak at the Greater Toronto Area Peace Forum, bringing insights from her experience with programs such as And Still We Rise, which creates space for Palestinian women to build community, experience transformation, and take action. Join us to learn more about this work and explore ways in which we can respond. 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. When: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 Where: Reaching Out Centre, 125 Queen Street South, Mississauga ON L5M 1K9
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 What role has NASA played in helping us understand climate change, and what alternatives can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels? The September climate webinar, hosted by the North American Climate Justice Team, welcomes retired NASA scientist and Community of Christ minister Stephen Dunagan to explore both questions. During his NASA career, Dunagan helped design, calibrate, and test instruments used by the Earth Science community to measure and understand climate patterns. On September 20, he will share insights from that work and examine the current state of clean energy alternatives, including solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear, and hydrogen systems. The webinar will consider how reliable, economical, and sustainable these options are as we look toward a future less dependent on fossil fuels. Date: Sunday, September 20 Time: 2:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. MT / 4:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. ET Where: Zoom (If you registered for a past Climate Justice webinar, no new registration is required. You’ll receive the Zoom link automatically.)  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  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 Brian Carwana, Director of Encounter World Religions
In 2024 I traveled to India where I spent days exploring religious sites, and since that time I have been dreaming about how to take you all back with me (Read more here). And now I am delighted to invite you to accompany Encounter on a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the spiritual heart of one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cultures. India is an incredible country, full of history, architecture, music, colour, and celebration where religions overlap and interweave into an extraordinary tapestry, visible in nearly every aspect of daily life. During our visit to India we will:
Registration is now open for our India trip. There are limited spaces and we expect it to sell out. Lots more information is available on our website and in our detailed itinerary.  Registration is now open for two upcoming sessions through the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). In partnership with Community of Christ and Graceland University, CIMM offers online courses that support priesthood formation, leadership development, child and youth worker training, and deeper engagement with scripture.
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. Participants who complete three classes earn certification. Summer Session: June 29–August 23, 2026 CIMM0307 – Ministry of High Priest – Jennifer Killpack ($25) CIMM0308 – Ministry of Evangelist – Mareva Arnaud/Kris Judd ($25) CIMM1150 – Introduction to Hebrew Scriptures – Susan Oxley ($100) Fall Session: August 24–October 18, 2026 CIMM0300 – Introduction to Priesthood Ministry ($25) CIMM0304 – Ministry of Priest – Geri Norman ($25) CIMM0305 – Ministry of Elder – Kat Hnatyshyn ($25) CIMM1250 – Ministries of the Church – Linda Stanbridge ($100)  A new online book club is beginning on May 14. In this first eight-week series of weekly gatherings, we will read and discuss Henri Nouwen’s “Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit” through prayer, reflection, and conversation together.
Over the next eight weeks, the group will explore Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit by Henri Nouwen. Facilitated by Beyond the Walls community members Vickie Thatcher and Don Wiley, sessions will take place Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CT, 6:00 p.m. MT, and 5:00 p.m. PT. Each session will begin with prayer and a Visio Divina or Lectio Divina before moving into presentation and discussion of a chapter. This is not intended to be an academic study, but an opportunity to grow in our understanding of spirituality and deepen our personal spiritual practices together. Each week will also provide time for sharing experiences of spiritual growth. Weekly Reading Schedule May 14 — Introduction to Henri Nouwen and overview of the writings May 21 — Chapter 1: From Opaqueness to Transparency May 28 — Chapter 2: From Illusion to Prayer Jun 4 — Chapter 3: From Sorrow to Joy Jun 11 — Chapter 4: From Resentment to Gratitude Jun 18 — Chapter 5: From Fear to Love Jun 25 — Chapter 6: From Exclusion to Inclusion Jul 2 — Chapter 7: From Denying to Befriending Death  The Ministry of the Priest Temple School course will be offered May 26–28, 2026, with instructor Debi Weaver, hosted by the Brydges Street congregation in London, Ontario.
This course is open to those currently serving in the office of Priest as well as those interested in learning more about this ministry. Participants can attend in person at 1446 Aldersbrook in London or join online via Zoom, with the Zoom link shared prior to the course. Classes will be held: Tuesday, May 26 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Registration deadline: May 22. Participants will need the Ministry of the Priest workbook from Herald House For more information or to register, please contact Nancy Baer at [email protected] Those who are interested in a future Introduction to Elder course—either to refresh requirements or explore a call to this ministry—are also invited to contact Nancy Baer to express interest.  Preparing to officiate a wedding? Brydges Street Congregation in London, ON, invites you to attend a marriage certification course on Saturday, April 11. You can join in person or online. Online participants will receive the Zoom link and course materials after registering.
Instructor Kevin Mercer will lead this course for priesthood members serving as elders or priests who want to learn or review current church and provincial regulations. The session will focus on Ontario marriage requirements. When: Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT Where: Brydges Street Congregation, 1550 Brydges St, London, ON N5W 2C8 Registration deadline: April 9, 2026 To register, contact Nancy Baer at [email protected]  With the birth of a unified Community of Christ in Canada mission centre comes a wonderful opportunity to shape policies and procedures that truly reflect Canadian culture, context, and legal standards. As many of you know, we are moving toward securing Canadian-based insurance coverage, which will increase our ability to be responsive and adhere to Canadian risk management policies.
As we moved through this process, we discovered that our existing Registered Child and Youth Worker certification required updating to align with current Canadian insurance and legal requirements. This realization opened the door to something even better: the development of a made-in-Canada policy framework and certification program designed specifically for our context. Significant care and collaboration have gone into creating a program that equips leaders to serve safely, faithfully, and confidently—while ensuring the highest standards of protection for children, youth, and vulnerable persons. We are thrilled to launch the Program Activity Leader and Assistants (PAL) certification program this spring. This initiative represents an important step forward in strengthening our ministries and deepening our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and accountable environments for all. We will begin by training the trainer in March, followed by training for camping staff from April to June. Training for other leaders, including priesthood, will follow in the fall. |
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