Greetings from Becky (Rebecca) Middleton!
As the newest member of your Mission Centre Presidency team, I would like to introduce myself. For any of you who don't know me, I am a Beer from BC on my mother's side, a Levitt from Alberta on my father's side, and a Middleton from Saskatchewan on the married side! I have been the pastor of the Senlac congregation for more years than I remember and I am familiar with many of the congregations across the mission centre. I have been involved with the Bridge of Hope campaign in the past as well as with World Accord and the projects in Honduras, working alongside my husband Doug. I have currently been on the advisory team for family camp at Hills of Peace as well as being involved in all aspects of staffing at HOP in the past. I am humbled to be asked to join the Mission Centre Presidency Team and I hope to be an asset for the team and lend my support in any way I can. We look to move forward with succession planning so that each one involved with mission centre administration may be mentored and introduced to the needs of the mission centre in a way that is not overwhelming, but instead is an enjoyable experience. Thank you to the team for asking me to be involved and thanks to you all who have entrusted me with this position. Please feel free to reach out to me as one of the Mission Centre Presidency team with any thoughts or concerns you have. I will try my best not to disappoint you! Faithfully yours, Becky Middleton Reunion time has come and gone but t-shirt designs are here! This summer, we collected the top 3 t-shirt designs from every reunion to compete in the World Accord t-shirt design contest. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 14 designs across the country.
Now, we need you to cast your vote! Help us determine the winner of our contest. The winner will receive a $100 gift to a place of their choosing or a place that World Accord recommends, as well as have their design featured on our new shirts at next years reunions. We will also feature the winning shirt and winner on our social media (if you are willing). To vote, please click on the button below. Please cast your vote no later than Wednesday, October 4th at 6pm. The winner will be announced by Monday, October 9th. Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Please welcome Rebecca (Becky) Middleton to the Canada West Mission Centre presidency! Some may wonder why we are adding a fourth person to the team. Succession Planning is why. When I agreed to be part of the volunteer mission centre team I was asked to commit to 2 years. Well, 2 years is over and I am just starting to understand the needs of all of you! I am not going anywhere this year but retirement is calling me. With succession planning, I can leave and in a few years might step back into the team. Becky will be adding her thoughts and ideas on what our mission centre needs. She will be learning alongside us. As we continue the journey, Becky will learn some of the pieces that we have learned. I am sure she will discover things we haven’t! Becky and I are first cousins. Becky’s mom Mable and my dad Alfred were sister and brother. Even knowing her all my life, I am sure to find out so much more about her and how capable she is. Succession planning has begun in the mission centre. From the beginning of the new volunteer team, we have been mentored by Steve Thompson, Art Smith and Dar Shepherdson in the ways and means to navigate within the church. Lisa Neudorf mentored showing me how to work with REGGIE. Andy McArthur and Briana McKenna worked with Jean Cravy to help with succession in the camp director field for Canada West. More plans are coming to assist the Mission Centre to meet the needs of the members. As we approach Mission Conference, consider whether you can extend mentorship in some areas or whether you would like to be mentored in some of the areas of the church that you are interested in volunteering for. ![]() The Hills of Peace Campground Association will hold its annual “All Members Meeting” (or “Annual General Meeting”) on Monday, September 25. The meeting will be held via Zoom and will begin at 7pm MDT. When the time comes, join Zoom Meeting by clicking HERE Zoom information is: Meeting ID: 848 1271 5433 Passcode: 175184 If you require non-smart-phone telephone access, please contact Steve Thompson ([email protected] or 780-904-4389) for phone numbers and instructions. To download all the documents for the meeting, please click on the button below. The agenda will include a review of the past year’s highlight activities, election of three new board members, and a presentation of 2022 financial statements and a current financial update. Please note the need for three board members. We would love to have 1 or 2 members from Saskatchewan. We really need someone with good communications and social media skills. All members should come with a familiarity with, and commitment to, the Hills of Peace. We serve to ensure the campground is successful. Please note: Members of congregations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and non-resident members in both provinces, will be most interested in this meeting as they are the defined “members” of the association. However, any interested person resident in the Canada West Mission Centre is welcome to attend. If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact any member of the Hills of Peace Executive Committee:
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Mission Conference is coming next weekend. Whether you’re at a host site or in your living room, I hope you’re able to join our gathering. This year we are going to share in a campfire as our Saturday night activity. Campfires are so wonderful; I remember spreading blankets out on the ground that all overlap each other, seeing sparks fly up into the canopy of stars, laughing so hard, then singing beautiful harmonies together. We can’t capture all of this magic inside and online, but I imagine that we can all find a friend or two, tune in online and create our own ‘campfires’ with a collection of candles and by lowering the lights. I’m excited to hear new campfire songs and familiar songs with different verses or motions. I look forward to settling into a contemplative space at the end of the night as we listen to some of our Wise Ones. We’ll have a good time resting in the Spirit together. So if you’re excited to lead a song or skit from wherever-you-will-be on September 23, please contact me at [email protected]. You can plan ahead, you can be spontaneous, just come and make some memories! ![]() Liberty Hall invites everyone to gather online for their annual Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture and to celebrate Community of Christ Heritage Day.
Joseph Smith III, termed a "pragmatic prophet" by biographer Roger D. Launius, led the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 64 years, promoting "moderate Mormonism." While adopting a balanced approach on most issues, his unwavering stance denying his father's initiation of polygamy deviated from this pragmatism. Despite ample evidence from various sources, Joseph III chose to protect his father's reputation over addressing the concerns of the Latter Day Saint community. This lecture explores Joseph III's tenure, his missions to Utah, and the ongoing ramifications of his stance on polygamy for Community of Christ. Follow the lecture on YouTube or click the button below to join the Zoom meeting.
The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) through the Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary has opened the following classes for enrollment:
Fall A Session (Aug. 28 - Oct. 22):
Note: The Christian Ministry Certificate class planned for this session has been postponed to give a session break to our students. We will continue these classes in the Fall B session. To enroll or for more information on these classes and the certificate programs, please visit www.graceland.edu/CIMM or click on the button below. When our hearts are true but our way is unclear, courage is what sustains us! Join us at our Mission Centre Conference, September 22-24, as we share courage to act and build. We welcome you to join online or to gather at satellite sites of Chilliwack, Calgary, Edmonton, and Regina. For the first time, you can vote based on membership, not on being elected as a delegate. So come, share in the life of our church in Western Canada so that we may build our vision of God’s peace among us and build our courage to act as we build toward that vision. ![]() Share your good news, we want to celebrate with you!
Details and pictures will be included in our annual We Celebrate video for Mission Conference 2023. If you or anyone in your congregation celebrated an anniversary (60+ years), birthday (90+ years) or graduation (high school or college/university) since last mission conference, please send us the details and 1 or 2 pictures maximum. Make sure you include full names and dates. We have requested this information from all congregation pastors. Please check with your pastor to be sure you are not duplicating what is planned to be sent to us. Please send the requested information to Sandra Rodriguez ([email protected]) by no later than Monday, August 28. Please read the letter below from President Cramm and President Murphy for updates on President Veazey.
Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Here is another episode in my sharing of discernment facilitator training. This one is called, “Are we there yet?” and it traces the later stages of group discernment, from identifying the next right step to take, to establishing common consent, to seeking confirmation of the action, to getting from process to practice. I hope this fifteen minute video provides some inspiration! Previous videos in this series:
We are busily planning Mission Centre Conference with the theme "Courage to Act" and are hoping you will join us. Remember that you don't have to be a delegate to have a say in our business meeting! All members in Canada West can have voice and vote in our conference. Registration is open now. Visit www.cwm.events to register and learn more! ![]() Here are a few snaps from family camp this week at Hills of Peace! Where is God's Spirit leading you next? Toward these cookies decorated by the kids?! ![]() Using the "Arts" For Health and Wholeness
Saturday, August 12, 2023 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM ~ A live online workshop using Zoom ~ Click on the button below to register! Keynote: Enriching our Lives through the "Arts" Kat Goheen, BA in Vocal Performance, MA in Theological Studies and Master of Theology in Biblical Studies. Certified in Soul Guiding and Soul Mentorin Certified in Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation, and Companioning. Kat will overview life's stressors and challenges, which often create negative or overwhelming feelings. She will then highlight various types of "arts" - which research shows are therapeutic, can be used as spiritual practices, help bring about health and wholeness...and enrich our lives. The Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center Adult Reunion is coming up soon, and there's still time to register! Begins: Saturday, August 19 Ends: Thursday, August 24 Registration Deadline: August 4 You won't want to miss Apostle Richard James, who will be joining us to share on the theme "Europe and Beyond: Our Global Mission." Witty, intelligent, in tune with young adults as well as seniors, Welsh-born Richard James has a droll sense of humor and remarkable, poignant stories to share of his adventures in our global community. Hope to see you soon at Hills of Peace for Family Camp! Enjoy these snaps from last year and next week watch for new memories being made! ![]() Greetings from our combined Canada West and Inland West family camp at Samish Island Retreat Centre! Lots of joy and smiles this week! ![]() Paul Bethel, a North American Climate Justice Team member from California, shares ideas once a month related to climate change. His current offering is about the two resolutions passed at World Conference: one concerning declaring a climate emergency and the other dealing with racial injustice. Paul Bethel shares a compelling presentation demonstrating the link between Climate Justice and Racial Justice as well as our call as followers of Jesus to respond. Paul’s perspective is reflective of action taken in two recent World Conference Resolutions and shows how they interface with one another. For ideas on how you and your congregation can make a difference on these issues, please contact Paul Bethel.
This summer as our Mission Centre President team travels and attends events we will be sharing postcards of what we are up to. This week's postcard comes from Shannon: Summer greetings! Last week in Vancouver for Sunday morning we took a walk by the Coquitlam river. It was beautiful and some furry friends joined us! ![]() |
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