Our Mission Centre is looking for artists and for those who are proficient in computer drawings or renderings. Would you be able to start with a raw image of an empty building space and transform it into sacred space? With your knowledge of Community of Christ symbols, mission and sense of community, you would be designing sacred space with meaning.
This is an important skill set for the church to begin envisioning our transition from traditional church buildings to new spaces in a variety of settings. Our tendency is to resist change so we need to be able to visualize the outcome of what creating new spiritual homes might look like, otherwise, we feel lost that nothing can replace the existing structure even though it has had its day and time and is beyond our affordability. The new will likely be less square foot in size, not have a spire on the roof or be located on a large piece of property. But, the interior look and feel will inspire, have flexible design elements for multiple uses, have technology that extends our reach and enhances our experience and connections. For most of us, this stuff of dreams is too random and illusive that we clutch onto what we have. Creative artistry can grant us new vision so we can picture, experience within and anticipate a special place that meets our highest expectations and is invitational to our local community and our younger generations. If you are artistic and have vision and hope for the church of our future today, please email me to talk about the possibilities. Kerry Richards [email protected] Against the backdrop of the events and protests of the past few weeks, the recent lectionary theme of “Welcome the Stranger” challenges us—as disciples and as a church—to examine our assumptions and attitudes about those who are different from us, and to take concrete steps to educate ourselves about the diversity in our communities.
The upcoming Encounter World Religions Online Discovery Week (July 5-10) is a great opportunity to learn about the religious diversity of our neighbours, colleagues and classmates. Register now or learn more about the week at the Encounter World Religions website. Although we are still self-isolating, this is an opportunity to learn together, and congregations are encouraged to consider using their Education or Leadership Development budgets to sponsor members to attend. Contact Brian Carwana at [email protected] for information about discounts for groups of attendees from the same congregation. Dear friends, In the last couple of years Community of Christ in Canada has been participating as an observer with the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC). While we have not yet been admitted as full members, our engagement has been highly meaningful. We have been building good ecumenical relationships. We now have the opportunity, as an observer at the Council table to add our signature to a joint statement recognizing and marking the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) in the Canadian context. The International Decade for People of African Descent was declared by the United Nations in 2015 to last through 2024. For more information, we encourage you to review the following resources:
By joining other churches in Canada in this joint statement we would be expressing our desire to join them in asking the CCC to make anti-racism, specifically anti-Black racism, and the goals of the UN IDPAD, a priority. I believe that this is an opportunity for Community of Christ members and congregations in Canada to prophetically respond to these matters with creative engagement as individuals, groups, congregations, and jurisdictions. As Community of Christ Canadian leadership contemplate signing this joint statement, we would be interested in hearing from you. Please complete this survey by Wednesday, June 17, 2020. I also welcome any other feedback on this opportunity.
In the peace of Jesus Christ, Art Smith Field Apostle for Canada We invite you to come together with hundreds of participants from around the world as the congregation Beyond the Walls. This inclusive online church service is an opportunity to pause and share a sacred moment together in times of physical distancing and uncertainty. All are welcome and invited!
Becky Savage, will offer the message on the theme "Welcome Strangers" and our lectionary scripture is Genesis GENESIS 18:1-15, 21:1-7, including the story of the three mysterious men who visited Abraham and Sarah bringing news of prosperity against all odds. Danny Belrose will offer the Prayer for Peace, and other ministers will join us live from locations across Canada and the USA. The Beyond the Walls choir will premiere CCS 273 “Draw the Circle Wide” and CCS 274 “God, We Gather as Your People” with Michael Karpowicz at the piano. We would love for you to sing with us! Join Worship Via Youtube Join the Choir SLIM (Sharing Love in Ministry) - This Sunday our worship service is coordinated by Anthony Smith. The theme: Unity in Diversity is related to this being Pride Month. Anthony has asked everyone to wear a colourful outfit for the service representing the Diversity of the world. Speaker for Sunday will be Co Pastor of SLIM, Donald Robb. 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. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with. WRITING ILLNESS, WRITING WELLNESS
With writer, editor, teacher, and unicorn whisperer Eufemia Fantetti *a fundraiser (volunteer donations only) for InkWell Workshops* "A generative writing class on the topic of illness. Prompts, prompts, prompts and hopefully you will walk away with new writing that can be expanded and sent out. I won't be asking anyone to share what they write. Included are readings I'll be referencing--once you sign up which I will send to you to read before the workshop." TO SIGN UP, please email Eufemia directly: [email protected] Saturday June 13th 2 - 3:30 PM ED Ground breaking for the new Zerin social housing project in London was held virtually Monday, June 8th with this portrayal of the event.
The project consists of a 65 unit apartment building for occupancy by the fall of 2021 on a two acre site. The four story building will contain 56 one bedroom units and 9 two bedroom units. Twenty units are completely barrier free designed, with 10 to 15 more units designed to be convertible to barrier free. Accessibility is a key feature. Congratulations to the Zerin Board of Directors for their tremendous vision and collective efforts over approximately two years to accomplish all the requirements to reach this stage of the project! Registration: www.cwm.events Registration fee: $10.00 Finding God When the Signposts Fail: Yearning as Path: an online retreat with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith For those seeking a deeper life with God there are times, often long stretches on the spiritual journey, where things don’t make sense; where the practices or answers of the past seem thin or ineffective. Or perhaps spirituality seems too concrete a word for the lingering hunger, sown in us by youthful or distant ‘’God-experiences”, to explore our longing for the One who knows us and longs to be known. For all of us these are times when we enter new spiritual territory and discover we can’t read the terrain. The signposts stand mute or may even lead us astray. All we seem left with is a yearning. Themes we’ll explore include: “When the Signposts Fail,” “Meandering in the Wilderness,” and “Oases in the Desert.” Join a special online communion service with ministry in French and English this Trinity Sunday, June 7th. Live from Tahiti, Apostle Mareva Arnaud will offer the message on the theme "Sacredness of Creation " and our lectionary scripture is Genesis 1: The Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath. Experience live ministry from around the world: Art Smith (Independence, MO), Kahealani Faatuaraai (Brussels), Amanda Boosie (Tahiti), Viviane & Christian Vago (Montréal), David Wilson (Finley, OH), Paula Strange (Independence, MO), and Roger Dodson (Whitby, ON) will join John and Leandro (Toronto).The Beyond the Walls choir will premiere "The Trees of the Field" and "Jésus, je voudrais te chanter" with Michael Karpowicz at the piano. Come together with hundreds of participants from around the world as the Beyond the Walls congregation. Let us share this sacred moment together in these times of physical isolation and uncertainty. All are welcome and invited!
Attend on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CqESEuMXXcU Link to the mailchip invitation to sing with the choir: https://mailchi.mp/ced059169e32/hymns-for-beyond-the-walls-may-12332090 SLIM (Sharing Love in Mission) - 2 p.m. Guest speaker, Seventy Larry McGuire from Arizona. Contact Don Robb for Zoom details. This Sunday will require you to have the following available: 1) Communion Emblems - Juice and Bread 2) Pen/Pencil and Paper 3) Mission Map (printed off if possible). 4) There will be a focus on Generosity - SLIM members who wish to share that have not yet signed up for PAT may send a cheque to Sharing Love In Mission to: 908 Ellrose Ave, Windsor, N8Y3W9. Or send an etransfer to [email protected]. Port Elgin Congregation - 10 a.m. Elder Wendell Martin speaking. 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. Other Online Ministries are available from many varied places for you to connect with. ![]() This note is to confirm that all CEM congregations and campgrounds are in a holding pattern of remaining closed until at least August 31. Only maintenance and repairs are permitted by five or less unrelated people (preferably from no more than two households) for these purposes. The provincial standards of social distancing, face coverings and sanitary applications are mandatory on our church properties. This also complies with our World Church risk management insurance policy. Our Mission Centre is in collaboration with World Church to prepare for the reopening of congregations after September 1 only if provincial standards permit with restrictions of the number of people, etc. CEM is assembling a Congregation Reopening Team who are preparing resources and policies from World Church and Canadian authorities to create a mandatory training session with each congregation to be presented via Zoom for congregations wishing to reopen at the allowable time. Please stay tuned for further details over the next few weeks as societal health policies evolve. ![]() May our collective voices be heard. by Kerry Richards, CEM President I want to share my hope for peace specifically for the American people of all races, demographics and cultures. The focus today is upon the centuries old systemic violence and disrespect of worth towards the black community. My heart aches with yours for the individual personal pain, family fears, disrespectful outwardly enacted attitudes, lack of equality and opportunities that are borne by our fellow human companions of colour. Oh God of love may we say and act with honour to uphold all persons as being of worth and beloved. There are turning points in history. They happen as the critical mass of society declares at once from the heart that which is our collective human yearning for our common good. Today is that day. God be with us is my prayer raised up with you. |
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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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