Join us for the 16th annual Emma Smith Hymn Festival on Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. This year's hymn festival will be the first online festival celebrating the life and remarkable story of Emma Hale Smith. The hymn festival will be broadcast through YouTube and the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation's Facebook page. Follow the link below to share with us on July 10th, Emma Smith's 216th Birthday. Interested in Joining Your Voice to the Online Choir?
We invite you to join your voice with the Beyond the Walls choir in recording nine hymns for this year's virtual Emma Smith Hymn Festival. Click the blue button below to learn more about how you can submit your voice to the online choir. Deadline for audio file submission is Sunday, July 5. First Sessions Begin Monday, July 6 Reunion Text “Living Jesus…Living Peace” will be presented by David Lloyd at 10:30 a.m.
Opening worship with SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) including Evangelist blessing on our camp by Mary Robb Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Registration Now Open cemcamping.ca In the life of Community of Christ, camps and reunions play a vital role in bringing people together for spiritual growth. This summer, although we are unable to be physically together, we are happy to provide opportunities to gather for events replicating the camping experience. Easy as One, Two, Three! One registration provides access to the entire summer of on-line events via ZOOM.
Build Your Own Experience With over 60+ events currently scheduled, choose one or many places to go as part of your e-camping journey this summer. Oh, the things you'll see! Oh, the things you'll hear. First Session is July 6th You can view the wide variety of happenings offered by visiting cemcamping.ca to help you plan your summer. Certain events are geared to children or youth while others will be of interest to adults. You can expect to see:
Guest Ministry Along with the familiar directors and leaders you already know and love from past reunions and camps, we are also excited for the opportunity to hang out with these friends:
One ZOOM Connection Once you register, you will be provided with the one ZOOM link that will be used for all sessions. Easy peasy, quick and easy! There is no expectation to attend all happenings. Some (but not all) will be recorded in case you are not able to attend the live session. Plan to meet your camp buddies for a spirit lifting summer. Register now and be in the loop. ![]() Message from Your Mission Funding Team Separation seems to be shaping our lives these days. Separation because of the pandemic and because of racial injustice. And yet in Romans 8 we're reminded that nothing "in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God." Perhaps in this uncomfortable space, we're being called to deepen our understanding of God's grace and generosity. By receiving God's unending love, we are able to embrace and reflect that generosity with others. And not just the type of generosity that alleviates suffering for a moment, but the boundary-breaking type of generosity that repairs dignity and gives people the ability to participate in community as equals. "...just as you did it to one of the least of these...you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40). May we be challenged individually and collectively to respond generously, strengthening our connection with God and each other. Onward! Stassi Cramm Dar Shepherdson presiding bishop bishop of Canada We were deeply saddened to hear that Jim Crum passed away earlier this afternoon. He had been in poor health for some time and went into hospice about a week or so ago. Services are pending.
Jim served as the Ontario Region Bishop (Bishop of Canada) in the early to mid 70’s working alongside Alex Kahtava. Let us gather as the church Beyond the Walls to celebrate Pride experiencing the ministry of Harmony. Join hundreds of participants from around the world this Sunday, June 28th, on the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, one of the most important events leading to the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Parker Johnson, the president of Harmony, will offer the message on the theme "Practice Radical Hospitality." Our lectionary scripture comes from MATTHEW 10:40-42. Other ministers will join us live from Belgium, Canada and the USA including Linda Stanbridge, Elray Henriksen, Jerry Dale Jr, Heather Dixon, Peter Smith, Mike Roberts, Eliza Horning, Sean Langdon and Tammie Lay. Apostle Robin Linkhart will offer the communion blessing for anyone who wishes to partake of this sacrament. The Beyond the Walls choir will premiere CCS 342 - "Too Often, God, Your Name Is Used" and CCS 276 - “All Are Welcome” with Michael Karpowicz at the piano. We invite everyone to sing with us. This inclusive online church service is an opportunity to share a sacred moment together regardless of physical location. All are welcome and invited! Harmony (formerly GALA and WCN) is a non-profit organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their allies, family and friends, celebrating our diversity and envisioning full participation for all in the life and ministry of the church. SLIM (Sharing Love in Ministry) - 2 p.m. Theme: Christ's Mission, Our Mission. Anthony Smith will share about CK Pride. Sean Moore will share about the food program he started in CK and our keynote speaker will be David Barth from World Accord to share about their efforts to Abolish Poverty and End Needless Suffering. Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.
Port Elgin Congregation - 10 a.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details. La Salle Road Congregation - 11 a.m. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details. Cambridge Congregation - Zoom Church each Sunday in June. To join, go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. Click the calendar page and scroll down to the date then click on Worship service. Zoom ID number and Password are listed there. Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here. Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact Carman Thompson for details. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with. President Stephen Veazey shares some of his own experience in awakening to and confronting racial injustice. His challenge focuses on how racism denies the Worth of All Persons, one of the church’s Enduring Principles.
![]() Oh The Places You'll Go! Our Community of Christ legacy going back 150 years has been relationally blessed, inspired and grown through a variety of camping ministries. In 2020 COVID-19 has paused this person-to person experience and put a huge damper on a vital program in the life of Community of Christ. But have no fear! In response, devoted camping leaders have been planning alternative experiences for our community for the last two months. We are calling our continuing summer events e-Camping. Starting the week of July 5th, a whole summer of e-Camping programming has been created to highlight experiences at our Family Reunions, Kid’s camp, Jr High camp and Sr High camp. There are all the familiar happenings for you to join such as worship, classes on the reunion text, chats, campfire, etc, Some sessions will be offered just for kids through the leadership of Kid’s Camp, Jr. High or Sr. High Camp while others will be led by leaders from our Reunions. This may be your opportunity to attend a summer camp for the first time or to try out a camp or activity that you have never been to before. You can experiment or sample from a wide variety of gatherings. It’s so easy and sure to be fun as you meet up with your friends throughout Canada East Mission or meet new friends. You’ll receive an email shortly with all the instructions to register (all events are free so be sure to invite your friends to join in). Choose the activities that you would like to participate in. You’ll receive a zoom link and with a click, oh the places you'll go!!! Congratulations! This is your summer. You’re off to Great Places! It won’t be a bummer! With the click of the mouse, You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself Any direction you choose. You’ll look up and down the lists. Look ‘em over with care. About some you will say, “I can’t wait to go there.” In that case of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there In the wide open air. Out there things can happen And frequently do To people as curious And footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don’t worry, don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too. OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! You’ll join a spiritual movement. You’ll soar to high heights. When you’re in a slump, You’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself Is easily done. With the click of a mouse Some windows will be lighted. Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? Oh, how much can you win? This global pandemic Sent everyone down long wiggled roads That grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most boring place. THE WAITING PLACE… …for people just waiting. Waiting for a picnic, A soccer game or a pool party Or a visit to grandma and grandpa’s Or the phone to ring, or a hair cut Or a sleepover with friends Or karate, gymnastics, or a Bridge game Or the movie theatre to reopen Or waiting for a Yes or No. EVERYONE is just WAITING. No! That’s not for YOU. Somehow you’ll escape All that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places Where Holy Spirit is playing. With e-camping calling Once more you’ll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you’re that kind of a guy. Oh the places you’ll go! There’s fun to be done! There are laughs to be laughed. There are songs to be sung. There are people to meet. There are thoughts to be pondered. There are lots of new experiences to be wandered. All alone? No, not a chance. Together we’ll glance Living Jesus, Living Peace in a world full of dance. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) OLD OR YOUNG, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS! So… Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, You’re off to Great Places! This is your summer! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way! Hope to see you “somewhere” over the summer. Greetings –
Earlier this month church leaders in Canada were made aware of a unique opportunity to partner with the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) in a timely joint statement recognizing and marking the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) in the Canadian context. As the world continues to reel from George Floyd’s murder in the United States, it is imperative that we look inward at our own racial biases here in Canada to support positive change in our own communities. With this opportunity to stand up for racial justice in mind, we distributed a survey to you via our mission centre mailing lists as well as our social media channels. You responded with swift and overwhelming support. We received over 100 responses from all across the country, and the results are in:
We hear you, and I have asked Kerry Richards, our designated representative with CCC, to proceed in formally adding Community of Christ’s support to the joint statement. Jonathan Schmidt, Intercultural Chair of the Canadian Council of Churches, had this to say about our process to survey membership: “I really like the engagement you are doing across Canada--making this more than simply signing on as a leader, but also engaging your communities in conversation.” We see value in- and are proud of- our culture of theocratic democracy. Thank you for helping us to bring this unique aspect of our tradition to the CCC. While signing a document in and of itself is not enough, it is the beginning of a larger ecumenical conversation and actionable steps. By joining this declaration, we are making strides toward fulfilling our call to “…work tirelessly to tear down walls of separation and to build bridges of understanding.” (Doctrine and Covenants 162:6b) We seek reconciliation within our own denomination and through our communities across Canada, and we look forward to hearing from you about the unique ways in which you prioritize to combat anti-Black racism in your congregations. With gratitude, Apostle Art Smith ![]() by Pat Brown I wanted to share a special story about my granddaughter and her recent kindness. She is 10 yrs old and a member of Community of Christ Faubert Dr. in Chatham. She recently took it upon herself to write letters to 3 of her friends from school and gymnastics who had been having disagreements with her before COVID happened. She asked each of them if they could start over being friends again and get together sometime when the pandemic is over. She mentioned to them that everyone has bad days, her too. Each of the girls contacted her and agreed to start over being friends again and get together sometime. I am so very proud of her for taking this step that a lot of adults would have difficulty doing. I told her she did what Jesus would have wanted her too do and that he would be very proud of her too. We can learn so much from the children in this world. They can be the best examples for adults. Let's come together with hundreds of participants from around the world as the congregation Beyond the Walls. Be part of our inclusive online church service this Sunday, June 21st, a time to pause and share a sacred moment together in times of physical distancing and uncertainty. All are welcome and invited! Roger Dodson, will offer the message on the theme "Discipleship and the Cross." Our lectionary scripture comes from MATTHEW 10:24-39. Canada West Mission Centre President, Stephen Thompson will offer the Disciples Generous Response. Other ministers will join us live from locations across Canada and the USA including Meredith Carr, Marilyn Loucks Smith, Nadine Manson, and Raymond Ortiz. Come and sing with us! The Beyond the Walls choir with Michael Karpowicz at the piano will premiere:
SLIM (Sharing Love in Ministry) - 2 p.m. Speaker for Sunday will be High Priest Kevin Anderson from the Michigan Mission Centre. Kevin and his wife Nanette shared at Erie Beach Reunion just a few years ago.Contact Don Robb for Zoom info.
Port Elgin Congregation - 10 a.m. Contact Larry Buchanan for Zoom details. La Salle Road Congregation - 11 a.m. Contact Pastor Vonda den Boer for Zoom details. Cambridge Congregation - Zoom Church each Sunday in June. To join, go to www.cofchristcambridge.ca. Click the calendar page and scroll down to the date then click on Worship service. Zoom ID number and Password are listed there. Reaching Out - Generally meets twice a month. Please sign up for email notices by clicking here. Kitchener Congregation - Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact Carman Thompson for details. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with. |
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community of christ
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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