 Food systems shape far more than what’s on our plates—they also play a significant role in climate change. The April climate webinar, hosted by the North American Climate Justice Team, invites participants to explore how what we eat, how food is produced, and how we shop all affect both our health and the environment. Presenter Sally Eales, an educator in human and environmental sciences with a background in home economics, will share insights into food systems and their connection to greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on personal experience and practical approaches to stewardship, she will explore ways to reduce food waste, make informed choices about food sources, and consider how everyday decisions can contribute to a more sustainable future. Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026 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.)
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 A new podcast featuring Apostle Shannon McAdam has launched as part of the Brewed Awakenings series on the Faith Unfiltered podcast (formerly Project Zion Podcast). Second Cup, co-hosted with Jack Hindle, invites listeners into thoughtful and honest conversations about faith, doubt, and some of life’s big questions. Drawing on their different backgrounds, they explore what it means to be religious, Christ-like, or simply human in a complex world.
With curiosity, humour, and openness, each episode creates space to “walk around” big questions rather than rush to easy answers. Listeners are invited into deeper reflection on faith, discipleship, and meaning-making. Stay tuned for future episodes of Second Cup.  Several new opportunities are currently available at Samish Island Campground, offering ways to get involved through employment, volunteering, and summer experience.
There is currently an opening for a Grounds and Facilities Manager. Those interested in this role are invited to request a job description and application details. A summer internship in campground management is also available for two individuals age 18 and older. This 8–10 week opportunity offers practical experience supporting the life and operations of a church campground. From April 26 to May 3, Samish will host its annual Volunteer Week, with projects including cabin renovations, landscaping, cleaning, carpentry, and power washing. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and food and accommodations will be provided. The campground is also seeking a head cook to support its programming and community life. For more information about these opportunities, or to express interest, please contact Brad Martell at [email protected] To learn more, including full job postings and upcoming events, click here We look forward to seeing you at upcoming Samish Island events. For more information about upcoming events, please see the calendar.  Photo courtesy of the Community of Christ Library-Archives
The Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation invites you to explore church history on a 14-day tour of Australia from September 5–18, 2026. Led by Barb Walden, Peter Smith, and Dennis Carr, this immersive experience will trace the footsteps of early missionaries while sharing the stories of the church’s beginnings in Australia. Participants will also have opportunities for worship and fellowship with local congregations along the way. This tour blends meaningful historical experiences with some of Australia’s most iconic destinations. Highlights include visits to the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, Blue Mountains National Park, and the village of Kuranda. Guests will also spend time at the Tiona reunion grounds, including the Green Cathedral and Tiona Chapel, and visit the gravesite of early RLDS missionary Charles Wandell. Optional extensions are available for those wishing to expand their journey, including a pre-tour to the sacred site of Uluru and a post-tour exploring New Zealand. These additional experiences offer further opportunities to connect with the land, culture, and community in meaningful ways. Learn more and register:  At the recent Nurturing Spirit Retreat at Samish Island (Feb 27–March 1), we welcomed our special guest artist Kathy Nutt, a talented multimedia artist who works across a wide range of forms including ink drawing, acrylics, coloured pencils, printmaking, and photography. Kathy generously donated a beautiful mixed-media artwork for auction to help support the retreat titled Finding the Calm Through the Storm. Congratulations to Jeri Mortimore for placing the winning bid! Throughout the weekend, Kathy guided us—even those of us who don’t think of ourselves as artists—through several creative practices designed to reduce stress, reconnect us with our spirits, and help us release thoughts and worries that may be holding us back. One of these practices was The Magic of Sigils, where we learned how to create meaningful symbols that focus intention and invite the subconscious to work its magic—blending creativity with mindful purpose. We’ve attached an example of a sigil Kathy created, with the intention written beneath it. Although the process—from beginning with a word or phrase to transforming it into a symbolic design—seemed a bit daunting at first, Kathy made it approachable and engaging. Even those of us who usually limit our artistic skills to stick figures and quarter suns in the corner of a picture found ourselves able to participate and create something meaningful! And yes, I am referring to myself, Debra! Kathy McAdam from Chilliwack reflected, “It was a weekend of creative freedom that allowed us to search our souls and discover new creative outcomes, insights, and responses we didn’t know were waiting within us.” As many of you know, recent circumstances have made cross-border travel more challenging for Canadians wishing to attend Samish Island Retreat Centre in Washington. As a result, this year’s Nurturing Spirit Retreat was a smaller gathering of just 15 participants. Yet the richness of the program—and the spirit, creativity, and openness of those who attended—made the experience truly extraordinary. With the incredible support of the staff at Samish, our weekend was nothing short of amazing. For more information about upcoming retreats, opportunities to volunteer, or to share your ideas for future retreats and activities with Creating Connection Canada, please reach out to [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.  This spring, take the next step in your ministry journey with the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). In partnership with Community of Christ and Graceland University, CIMM offers two upcoming sessions of online courses beginning March 2 and May 4, designed to support priesthood formation, leadership development, 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. Spring Session: March 2 – April 26, 2026
Early Summer Session: May 4 – June 28, 2026
 Plastic surrounds us—packaging, clothing, electronics, and countless everyday products. Yet plastic waste continues to pollute oceans, landfills, and even the food and water we rely on. The March climate webinar invites participants to explore how we can reduce single-use plastics and rethink our dependence on fossil fuel-based materials. Filmmaker and Greenpeace Speaker Liz Thomson will share insights into plastics in our ecosystems, the growing concern about microplastics, and practical alternatives for daily life. Together, we’ll consider both individual choices and broader systems that shape our use of plastic—and imagine steps toward more sustainable, responsible use. Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 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.)  This Sunday, March 1, Apostle Shannon McAdam and the Canadian Leadership Team will gather in Kitchener, ON, for a special communion service, livestreamed on Beyond the Walls.
Joining Shannon will be members of the Canadian leadership team, each serving in key areas of national ministry:
The service will also include ministry from Joshua Bennet of Chennai, India, Leadership Development Coordinator for Community of Christ in India and Nepal. A High Priest with experience in global leadership formation and congregational support, he brings a perspective shaped by ministry in diverse local and international contexts. This gathering offers an opportunity to worship together and connect with leaders serving the church in Canada and beyond. The service begins at 9 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. MT / 11 a.m. CT / 12 p.m. ET. Those in the Kitchener area are invited to attend in person at Kitchener Community of Christ, 414 Fisher Hallman Road. A Q&A session with the apostle and leadership team will begin at 10:30 a.m. (not livestreamed). The service will be available live on YouTube and Facebook.  The Ottawa congregation invites members across Canada to participate online or in person in “Introduction to Priesthood,” a hybrid Temple School course beginning March 14, 2026.
The course will be led by Lew Shepherdson, a member of the Ottawa pastorate team, and a self-sustaining Bishop. Sessions will take place on Saturdays, March 14, 21, and 28, with no class on Easter weekend, and will resume April 11 and 18. Classes will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET at the Ottawa congregation, with Zoom access provided for online participants. To register: contact Nancy Baer at [email protected] Registration Deadline: March 12, 2026. Accommodations can be arranged for participants who wish to travel to Ottawa for the sessions. |
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