Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre We are in the second week of Lent. As I think about Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying, I feel the need for prayer myself. In this world today, the need for prayer and the desire for peace are so prevalent. How can we make a difference in the situation that is so close through the media and yet so far away? Prayer for peace and understanding can make a difference. Reach out in comfort to anyone you know who needs it. Just listening and offering prayer can help ease someone’s stress about a situation to far away physically. I want to offer the information below for your consideration. The following eLearning classes are open for a limited enrollment:
Temple School Classes cost $7.50 each. To enroll, go to developmetrics.org and click on the "Canadian Registration Form." MEADS class costs $30 and should be paid before class via check to: Canada East Mission Centre, c/o Melissa Freer, 355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 Have you ever taken a course through Developmetrics? The courses are all online. Learning is something that we all do every day when we watch something new to us or read something new or try something new. Why not take an introduction to Scripture to just open up your mind? Maybe take the Children and Youth Workers Core Training even though you may have raised your family and / or taken something like it before? We can always use help with our children and youth and this course will make helping easier to step up and assist. What's the next step on your discipleship path? ![]()
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Written by Arthur Smith Field Apostle for Canada Dear friends,
Let me offer my sincere thanks for your prayerful support. Together we have considered who are called to serve on the new Canada East Mission Centre Presidency Team. I have visited with many people, always aware of your prayerful support. Along my way, I encountered disciples who expressed interest and reflected on their potential role. Some of them had been nudged or encouraged by others to consider being part of the MCP Team. Today, I am pleased to share with you that at our March 26th special mission centre conference we will consider the recommendation of the First Presidency that the following three persons be sustained as the new Mission Centre Presidency Team for Canada East Mission.
I am deeply encouraged because of their giftedness, their willingness to serve, and their individual sense of call. The long list of people who have expressed their desire to help is every bit as encouraging. That long list includes individual disciples, priesthood quorums, pastors, campground boards, and other leadership teams. I am confident that this leadership team is equipped to guide the Canada East Mission Centre as we seek to fulfill God’s calling for us to be a community of Christ in the 21st century. Sincerely, Arthur Smith, Field Apostle for Canada Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre This is the first week of Lent. I had pancakes this morning to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with.” Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday, Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the “Pancake Bell” and is still rung today. Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients. What are you giving up for Lent? As Shannon explained last week, she does not use the snooze button on her alarm clock. She uses that time in meditation. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is March 2, 2022. Ash Wednesday marks the official beginning of this 40-day period of abstinence. Click here to read "Blessing the Dust for Ash Wednesday" by Jan Richardson. Though not every person observes Ash Wednesday in the same way, Ash Wednesday is the time when you may finally decide on what you want to give up for Lent, or perhaps it's an opportunity to spend a quiet moment on some Easter prayers. Maybe it is not GIVING something up but ADDING a new practice. With the world climate issues, pending war in Russia and Ukraine, continuing health concerns and the opportunity to “get back to the old way of life”, you can add something for 40 days. There are two ways that you can join other Community of Christ friends and members on a Lent journey this year:
![]() Written by Shannon McAdam Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre Looking Towards Lent It’s interesting to me the variety of experiences that we have of the season of Lent in Community of Christ. You may have embraced the observance of Lent as a way to deepen your spiritual life. You might think of Lent as an oppressive or restrictive practice that’s almost more like a new year’s resolution. You may have never really thought about what observing Lent could mean for you. I’d never really thought much or known much about Lent when I was growing up in Community of Christ. I began to learn more about it when I was in seminary at Vancouver School of Theology and was amongst classmates of different Christian backgrounds. There I learned the practice of taking on a new spiritual discipline, and perhaps giving something up as a way of making space for that new practice. For example, someone might give up an hour of watching TV at the end of the day and replace it with an hour of bible study or meditation. What I liked about this was that they weren’t just giving something up, but finding something life-giving to replace it with. This appealed to me, and I began my own practice of giving up the snooze button on my wakeup alarm for Lent! I replaced that snooze time with morning meditation. For years this has been my practice. Now you might wonder “why don’t you just permanently give up that snooze button Shannon?” And there have been times where, beyond Lent, I’ve stuck to it. But when I’m “off the wagon” and snoozing again, Lent is often the perfect time to give it back up again. Something beautiful happens as our days lengthen in springtime and getting up gets a bit easier each day. There is something very holy for me in being able to witness that change of the season, and that holiness of morning quiet light helps me renew my commitment to intentional time with the Holy One. This year Lent begins on March 2nd, and yes, I will be giving up the old snooze button again! I’ll also be inviting others to walk the Lenten path with me through reflecting with poetry, chant, and spiritual practices. Stay tuned to the Weekly Wire for more details coming soon about a weekly virtual gathering during Lent! I hope to see you there, and I hope you have a blessed Lenten season, however you choose to observe it. ![]() Written by Kat Goheen Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre Blessings of Community “Community of Christ,” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go. D&C 163:1 This week I participated in my congregation’s planning meeting about growth. We realized early on in our sharing that one barrier to telling our story and inviting others is embarrassment – concern over chapters in our church history and our Christian heritage, and a feeling that we need to criticize ourselves continually. It felt good to bring these feelings into conversation and examine them. My heart swelled to realize that while we have a shadow, it is a much smaller shadow than the hope that is within us. We shine the light of acceptance, of curiosity, of community and the deep knowing of God’s love. Our sharing together as individuals, congregations, and as a Mission Centre make Western Canada a better place, and I am so proud of the impulse to serve our neighbours and God’s creation that shines through our fellowship. We’re always going to have a shadow, and that’s okay, but don’t be afraid to let your light shine! ![]() Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre Snowdrops! I have just seen my first snowdrops of the year! Spring is coming! Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3 The snowdrops come every year, I look for them as my first sign of spring. (I know some places in the rest of Canada will not see green for a while yet.) The Lord God appearing is a sure as the dawn, as sure as the snowdrops. How do we “press on to know the Lord”? What are the signs that the Lord has appeared to us? I want to know the Lord better today than yesterday. I want to feel the spring rains on me. I believe that he will appear sure as the dawn and I hope to be the one to SEE the dawn. How do I prepare for the Lord coming? I need to study and pray, much like preparing the earth in the spring for a garden. I will then care for the garden, clean out the weeds, water the earth and…reap the bounty of the Lord God’s grace and blessings! What a bounty I will receive when I press on and open up to the Lord appearing at the dawn of each day. ![]() Written by Gwyn Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre Canada is suffering with lockdowns that are happening across the country. Covid-19 and the variant Omicron make human contact further down the road. What does this mean to you? Back to ZOOM church, family only gatherings, in some cases you are double masking and you may know someone who has the virus. When will this end? None of us knows. Where do you turn when you are feeling alone? Reach out to someone else. Call a church member, call a friend, chances are they are feeling isolated too! Mail a card, thinking about that person even if all you do is put their address on the envelope and sign your name. If you are computer savvy, you can be virtually in touch. If it helps, yell at God, he will listen! Pray about your situation and those who you wish you could help. We are still in the first month of 2022 and it might help for you to think about what you want to do in the coming year and plan for it. During Advent, we talked about the Hope that comes from the birth of Jesus Christ. There are events being planned and an opportunity to attend virtually. Look at the things coming up in the Weekly Wire. What appeals to you? Is this a time to start a class on line, both through the church or from your local learning centres? Plan to be at reunion this year. No promises from me that we will be able to gather at our camp grounds, but if the opportunity to gather happens, be ready! What can you think of that you might be able to bring to reunion for yourself and maybe for everyone? I have a project that I am gathering the supplies for. As I work on what I want to share, I think of who might be participating with me and I get a smile on my face! The time is now to plan for the future. ![]() The Canada East Mission Centre continues to seek ordained members with a strong personal testimony of Jesus Christ to join the Volunteer MC Presidency Team. The team collaborates with the field apostle, the communications team, and the mission centre financial officer and staff to offer pastoral, spiritual, and administrative leadership to the mission centre. No single team member must do it all. Team members will serve according to their giftedness, calling, and availability.
This recruitment effort is a matter of prayer. Would you join me in prayer through this process? We pray that motivated and inspired leaders will respond to this call, and we pray that they will be blessed with discernment and strength to lead Christ’s mission. In Canada West, the Mission Centre Volunteer Presidency Team began serving officially on November 1st of 2021 and their ministry has already been a great blessing. Find out more about their inspiring work on our website’s blog. Please send your applications and suggestions to [email protected]. For details about the responsibilities, functions, and desired qualifications for this position please read the CEM Volunteer Mission Centre Presidency position description. Thank you for your consideration and for your prayerful support, Apostle Art Smith Written by Kat Goheen Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre In this bright new year, our thoughts naturally turn to the future. Since becoming one of your Mission Centre Presidents, I find my heart is quite tender toward our congregations. I see the effort and devotion offered by our congregational leaders. I yearn for our communities to experience nurturing, hope, and growth! At the same time, a wise friend reminded me yesterday to appreciate what we already experience in fellowship, and the ways we are touched by the gifts of Spirit and community. In this new year, let us remember that all are called. Along with resolutions that focus on physical and economic well-being, please consider examining your discipleship. These questions may help:
Your pastor or Mission Centre Presidents would be more than happy to visit with you about your plan of spiritual response to God’s activity in your life. We can only grow and thrive together – the harvest is ready and all are called! ![]() Written by Gwyneth Beer Co-president, Canada West Mission Centre Happy New Year! 2022 has arrived with a world population that is striving to stay healthy. The world lost a great humanitarian over the Christmas season. Desmond Tutu lived a life of love for all. He promoted his objective as “a democratic and just society without racial divisions.” To Archbishop Tutu, forgiveness and reconciliation were the "only truly viable alternatives to revenge, retribution and reprisal". "Without forgiveness," he said, "there is no future”. Without forgiveness, there is no future. The beginning of the year 2022 is when people make resolutions. This year, forgive yourself and start the New Year with a renewed sense of self. The sacrament of the Lord’s supper is a time of preparation and should include reconciling with others, confessing our faults, and asking for and offering forgiveness. D & C Sec 163: 10a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. Whenever we meet at the Lord’s table to partake in the Lord’s supper, we have the opportunity to begin anew. What a great gift from God! ![]() |
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355 Elmira Road North, Unit 129
Guelph, ON N1K 1S5 Canada Canada West Mission: 877-411-2632 Canada East Mission: 888-411-7537 |
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