Family Camp 2023 “God, Where is your Spirit Leading Next?” Hills of Peace, Alberta August 5-10 Register at www.cwm.events Good news all you last minute planners! Registration deadline has been extended to midnight Wednesday, July 26. It is shaping up to be a great camp and we would love to have you come for the full time, the weekend or even a couple of days. Remember there is a reduced cost for those planning to come for the weekend ($160 per adult). You can pay at camp or through e-transfer [email protected] Please register HERE or clicking on the button below so we can plan for food. Let's get together, it will be a great time! We all have questions, dreams and plans in our lives. How does God fit in? Come join in building community as we notice, nurture, pray and explore where the spirit of God is leading us. Special Guests: Apostle Janne Grover, Community of Christ Kristin Douglas, World Accord Gwyn Beer, Canada West Mission Centre Please contact Becky Middleton ([email protected]) or Marian Thompson ([email protected]) for more inquiries. Rates
The Family Camp planning committee is so excited about this year's Family Camp that we are inviting you to take advantage of a Weekend Sample! Of course we would love to have you attend the whole 5 days, but if you only have the weekend... Have we got a deal for you! We are reducing the fee for adults from $200 to $160 for the weekend, starting 3:00 pm on Saturday, Aug. 5 and extending through Monday, August 7th. Weekend activities include:
Of course relaxing, visiting and eating are always part of camp. Please join us for a wonderful camp experience. See you there! Payment accepted through e-transfer or in person at camp. Please contact Becky Middleton ([email protected]) or Marian Thompson ([email protected]) for more inquiries. Volunteer Cooks are needed at Samish Island Campground and Retreat Centre for the week of August 5 to 10. This is a combination of Camp Kimtah and Camp Atsaken.
The menu is planned and the food order is ready to go but we need a body or two in the kitchen. Do you have time and a passport (if you are Canadian)? You will need a food handler certificate that the camp food manager can advise you on. If you are interested please contact Shawna Custer [email protected] Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Shannon asked me last week if I could write a piece about being a parent of a SPEC camper. This is my child’s first SPEC experience, and by the time you read this, she will already be down in Independence along with our other seven CWM campers, getting to know the Northwest delegation and eating, relaxing, and finding their place on sports teams along with everyone. Not to mention getting their matching delegation T-shirts! A lot of being a SPEC parent is meeting registration deadlines and keeping up with communications from the delegation. It’s checking in with recent campers about what our kids will really need down there for those ten days. Driving down to SEATAC for a 4:30 am prayer circle before the flight. It’s sharing her excitement about the electives offered and having too much good stuff to choose from! I am so excited that our best and brightest people offer ministry to our SPEC kids and will have carefully planned so much for them – from the theme of the week, to the music, to the testimonies shared. I was fortunate to go to SPEC through high school and mostly remember the sports and worship activities from back then. I had a real feeling of being part of something bigger than myself, and that the church cared for me. It was fun – and it meant a lot to me to see how fun church could be! For all of you who support campers going to SPEC and to our camps, I am truly grateful. Our Mission Centre provided significant financial support to each of our campers’ families to help with the fees, and that is thanks to your giving. Here in the CWM we’re always learning how to live in community and how to support one another in love. Having campers from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia journeying to SPEC will be leaven to our gatherings, bringing back enthusiasm, stories, and concrete ideas for how we can share together as Community of Christ – different horizons for how we can view ourselves and how we can reach out in mission. Let’s embrace these stories and show our kiddos that they are also part of something bigger than themselves here, and that they are so deeply cared for by God and by us. ![]() Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Another look at Spiritual Discernment Several months ago, I shared with you my take on the roots of spiritual discernment here in this space. Since that time, I’ve continued to learn and explore group discernment, and I have another offering to share, this time about the middle of the discernment process. My course has shown me a wonderful application of this image that Steve Veazey has compiled of six lenses for listening to God, seeing it as a framework for gathering data. These six lenses seek feedback from various perspectives based on their very nature, realizing that all of them are necessary and valuable. What does scripture have to say about our situation? Continuing revelation? When it’s hard to find data for one of them, it can signal a blind spot. I call this talk on data-gathering, “The Messy Middle” because that’s what it feels like to me. Unlike decision-making, in discernment we don’t rush to conclusions but instead slow down to listen to the voices around us and the still, small voice of God. This often feels uncomfortable to me, and despite my temptation to grab onto the first shiny possibility, I sit and listen and stay open as much as I can in the middle…of it all. Your congregation may be involved in discernment right now. It feels to me that our Mission Centre is also in discernment, feeling growing pains which prompt us to search for the right question for this moment. Growing in me is my faith in the process and my trust that a committed discernment process will lead to right action. Let us build the habit of a discerning posture and let us be aware of our resistance to change! As a prophetic people, we are called. ![]() Canada West Mission Centre is joining with GPNW mission center team for SPEC.
We know the difference between US and Canadian Dollars is a lot, so we encourage our young people to think about how they might partner with their local congregation to do some fundraising. In the past, things like bake sales and spaghetti dinners that Spec attendees have organized helped them achieve their goal of attending. Should further assistance be required, please contact the Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center. Written by Shannon McAdam Canada West Mission Centre Co-President In recent weeks, with consultation from various volunteers, our mission centre had to make difficult decisions about cancelling our youth and kids camps at Hills of Peace this summer. While we have all been prepared for a few seasons of slow return to our pre-covid camping program, it is still difficult to admit that as a mission centre, we don’t have the capacity to hold these important gatherings this year. I think back to my own camping years with fondness. So many memorable experiences, and always a feeling like camp was the only time all year when I felt like I could truly and fully be myself. I had friends who liked me for me, and I looked forward to seeing them. Just a few months ago at a Creating Connection retreat I had a joyful reunion with an old camp friend and it was all we could do to not stay up all night talking just like we did at camp thirty years ago! I think of the leadership skills I learned during my camping years, and how when I was old enough to be a counsellor, I was so excited to be able to volunteer my time in the years when my summers were free of work and school. I think of the many hours of volunteer time so generously offered to create these memories that I hold so dear. Just a couple of months ago at world conference I ran into a number of people who are beloved to me because they directed camps or counselled at camps that I attended as a young person. I still look to them for inspiration and role modeling of how to be a leader. I wonder what memories you have of church camp in your youth? I wonder what memories you have of offering leadership in our camping program? I wonder what time, talents, testimony, or treasure you have capacity to share now in order to help our youngest Canada West Mission Centre members and friends create similar memories in the years to come? We have some extra time now to begin planning for next year’s summer gatherings of our young people. In this liminal season you are invited to help discern how best to ensure we have a full schedule of programming in 2024. All hopes and dreams are welcome! Please consider how you can share generously of your time, talents, testimony, or treasure as we move forward together. ![]() During Hills of Peace Month, please donate to support the continued operation and development of the Hills of Peace Campground.
Saskatchewan people: Please donate! Alberta people: Please donate! And, yes, BC people, don’t feel left out: Please donate! Over the last three years we have made many improvements to the grounds. Most notably:
Your donation will help ensure the campground continues to be made more enjoyable. It will also help pay the ongoing bills: really mundane stuff like utilities and insurance; and more visible stuff like cooks, caretakers, and lifeguards. We have a modest goal to raise $20,000 to support this year’s expenses. Please be generous! You can make your donations by:
Hills of Peace Campground 7603 190 Street NW Edmonton, AB. T5T 5H6
Be sure to indicate in your email or on your cheque your preference for your donation to be applied to “Operating / Maintenance” or to “Capital Projects / Maintenance Upgrades” Tax receipts for e-transfers or cheques will be issued in February of next year. CanadaHelps issues receipts immediately upon donation (as if it was a donation to CanadaHelps). Please note that this is NOT an appeal to support camps or the camping program. The program is the responsibility of the Canada West Mission Centre. Your generosity there is also appreciated. THIS request is in support of the expenses to maintain and improve the Hills of Peace Campground that makes those programs possible. THANK YOU! Questions? Contact Steve at [email protected] or 780-904-4389. Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President The Spiritual Retreat at Hills of Peace would have been this week, but sadly it was cancelled because of low registration. The theme for the retreat, “Something is stirring among us, Spirit is stirring among us!” has been part of my thought process since Brenda, Vickie, Art, and I came up with it. As part of the retreat, we were going to be asked to bring a spoon that had meaning for us. This is the story about my spoon. I have a spoon that is part of my family history. It was my grandmother’s spoon. Grandma Sadie always used this spoon with rice or vegetables. She had lots of grandchildren but I was the one who ended up with this spoon. Looking at the spoon brings me images of my grandmother. Why is it important to me? Seeing the spoon stirs memories of a member of the Community of Christ church who passed on her love of this church to her children and ultimately her grandchildren. She had a very firm belief that she just lived within, leading by example of faith. She was a gentle person who seemed to just love you no matter what. Why am I sharing a story about my grandmother’s spoon? Looking at that spoon makes me want to live my faith like my grandmother did. Your actions show others who you are and I want to reflect the love I feel for this church. God’s spirit is stirring within me to help with the work of this church. Discernment is stirring in me as we move forward in seeking a prophet/president. What is stirring in you? ![]() We are sad to announce that the Spiritual Retreat at Hills of Peace was cancelled due to low registration.
Youth Camp at Hills of Peace was scheduled for Aug 12 to 17. Unfortunately we have not been able to find a camp director. This decision has not been an easy one to make, we are cancelling Hills of Peace Youth Camp for 2023.
We invite everyone who was anticipating coming to the camp to attend the Family Camp Aug 5 to 10. We are reaching out for a camp director next year. We anticipate holding a course for future Camp Directors. Written by Debra Donohue Creating Connection Director Canada West I returned from our retreat Creating Community: Where Spirit, Nature, and Justice Meet at Samish Island with renewed hope for the planet, and bathed in the rich spirit that comes with any visit to Samish Island. This year, the Nurturing Justice team joined the Nurturing Spirit team to create a retreat that combined the contemplative experience with a learning and sharing model. Our special guest, Isabelle Hachette from World Accord, shared stories of her experiences with, and before she joined World Accord, which helped us better understand the plights of people around the world and the climate crisis on our planet. I think Isabelle left renewed by our spirits, just as we left with a new energy to support social justice issues. Our 38 attendees included 4 people from the Climate Action team, Americans, and Canadians. 6 people had never been to Samish Island, 4 had never been to anything Community of Christ. As we move forward exploring new expressions of mission, our retreats are a wonderful place to introduce your friends and neighbours to Community of Christ. Remember to offer the invitation. Creating Connection is exploring new ways to reach new people. If you have an idea you need a little help with, or you’d like to learn more about Creating Connection, contact me, Debra Donohue, [email protected] ![]() Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President YOU Are Invited! We have saved a place for YOU! Thank you for your patience as preparations have been made in getting Spiritual Retreats, Family Camps and Kids Camps ready for you to register! Big THANKS to Lisa Neudorf for helping us this year with REGGIE! Hills of Peace and Samish Island are sacred places for all of us! Join us at either place and feel that wonderful homecoming! If you have never been to the campgrounds, you are invited to come and join us for a weekend, a whole week or even just one day!
While Samish Island and Hills of Peace are beautiful places, they become even more special spaces with YOU there. Greet old friends and make new friends! Spend time in classes, over the dining room table, washing dishes, going to the waterfront, join in singing at the campfire and walk the grounds. It is your time to just BE. Register for a retreat or camp! We have saved a place for YOU! ![]() Historians Corner Vol. 1 | No. 3 In recognition of June being “Hills of Peace Month,” I am going to share how the grounds came into the possession of the church in Alberta. I am drawing on written accounts from two people “who were there:” Ethel Hayden, from Calgary; and Jean Walrath, from Edmonton. Ethel: The Hills of Peace grounds holds a special place in the hearts of young and old who ever attended a camp there and (have) been surrounded by God’s spirit and the feeling of peace. Renting grounds at Sylvan Lake was not to our liking. Jean: (At the 1956) District Conference and Reunion held at Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Will McLeod told of a quarter section of land on a lake that could be suitable to build a campground. Ethel: (It) had a spring-fed lake, lots of trees for shade, and very sandy soil which meant no mud when it rained. Jean: Six people went immediately to investigate. They were Alvin Walrath, Dave Larmour, Will McLeod, Norman Olson, Vida Diaper and Cecil Diaper. A most favourable report was brought back. The same week on Saturday, a district meeting was held at Sylvan Lake. A vote to buy the land was taken…and passed unanimously. At the same meeting the people voted in favour of Alvin Walrath being put in charge of developing and building the camp. On Sunday a collection was taken and approximately $600.00 was raised. Ethel: The land was bought in 1956 and work parties soon began. Many weekends and some holidays were spent travelling on muddy roads and later gravel to start developing the grounds. Steve: And on the story goes up to the present day. Purchase documents from the time indicate the price paid for the land was $856.00. This is an story of rapid decision making. As Ethel suggests, there had been a feeling, probably for some time, that the people wanted a reunion grounds of their own. But still – in a matter of one week, Will McLeod told the District Conference (probably on Sunday) about the land; a party of six people immediately (probably on Monday) set out to go look at; they came back and reported favourably – despite what must have been very difficult road conditions and a much longer trip than it would be today. They had another business meeting on Saturday and approved the purchase! Amazing! Now – while you’re thinking about it, go to that notice about “June is Hills of Peace Month” elsewhere in the Weekly Wire and make a donation to support the continuing operation and maintenance of this wonderful campground. Sources:
Ethel Hayden: “Hills of Peace Camp”, a one-page history published as part of a history of Alberta District, assembled in 2003 when the district was being folded into the Canada West Mission Centre. Jean Walrath: “History of the Hills of Peace Campground,” unpublished, undated. Written by Gwyn Beer Canada West Mission Centre Co-President During May, for our discernment of future leadership in Community of Christ, we were to consider the following question: What are the most significant situations, opportunities, or challenges that a prophetic leader will need to address? June is our time to share our thoughts on this question. For me, this was WIDE OPEN, so many things to consider, processing those situations (first time for me at conference to hear about “Active Shooter Protocols”) and opportunities and challenges. I felt overwhelmed for our next president/prophet. At World Conference, resolution I-1 on a non-violence statement went through my mind. We could not determine how to answer all the questions associated with trying to give the President and counsellors a concise view of what that statement might look like. Opportunities for the growth of the church abound in the world at large but in North America, there is a shift in how people view church and spirituality. What ways will the president deal with the changing view of church? Challenges include the financial status of the church. There are so many things that the new president/prophet will be dealing with. Spend time in June sharing your thoughts with others you encounter. Offer your thoughts and listen to those you speak to, is there common ground? Are you feeling the weight of this question? Pray on your conversations for clarity and wisdom. July will bring a new question to consider! ![]() Everyone is welcome and invited to come to the Hills of Peace Campground to assist with opening it up for the 2023 camping season.
Date: Friday afternoon, June 2 through Sunday noon, June 4 Fee: NO registration fee (donations ALWAYS welcome!) Meals: provided; a cook will be staffing the kitchen Registration: please register by May 28 so we can plan appropriately for food. Register by sending an email to Eileen Johnstone [email protected], include the names of those intending to attend, preferences for accommodation (cabin, dorm) or if you are bringing your own (RV, camper trailer, tent). Also indicate when you plan to arrive (Friday afternoon, evening, Saturday morning, etc.) Primary tasks for the weekend: This is a general clean-up effort for all buildings: sweeping, cleaning, window-washing, etc. Anyone can do this work! We will also have good fun and fellowship as we work. What to bring:
Questions? Contact Steve Thompson at [email protected] or call/text 780-904-4389 See you at camp! From the North American Climate Justice Team:
In the communication we sent you prior to Community of Christ World Conference, we promised to distribute “a post-Conference summary of actions taken” in the resolutions that touched on climate issues and global security. By now, you are well aware that climate change is a threat multiplier. Every conflict, injustice, and societal problem is increased by the stress and crises brought by rapidly changing and escalating climate impacts. As a result, several resolutions considered at World Conference were of importance to the North American Climate Justice Team, and we want to share the results of conference action concerning them. Click on the button below to view the document. Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President More Conference memories: On the Sunday evening of Conference, we had an “Experience the Temple” event combining visual and musical arts all around the Temple complex. Shannon used her fabric art to stitch and visit with people passing by in Shalom Place upstairs by the World Plaza, surrounded by painters, quilters, and a synthesizer. I played my violin with the European delegation singing Taize music in the Meditation Chapel while a potter threw pots and vases. I love this image of the potter’s work-in-progress, watched over by portraits of our sacraments because it’s a good metaphor of our work that week. We got our hands right into creating our future, discerning its form and appearance while also sharing together the sacraments that connect us to God and feed us spiritually. Our potter, Stephanie, had some pieces she had to rework. In legislation, we also had some moments when we needed to amend the business before us, striking out and adding words in our attempts to get it right. Still, we were always framed by moments of blessing just as the pottery was held in that sacred space by sacramental images. It was striking to see messy things happening in our sacred Temple space, like the bucket of water here that kept the clay flexible. We also had messy moments in legislation, gingerly discussing the need for articulating white supremacy in the motion on racism, lifting up the reality of sex in our conversation on marriage, confronting assumptions left and right in our conversations on environment and the meaning of baptism. Through it all, I felt a strong pastoral sense from everyone who spoke, so different from the combative tone of political discourse on television. Stephanie created fifteen pots and vases that evening in the Temple. We made strong statements in our legislative sessions. I pray that we live into the gifts that have come from our Unity in Diversity and Common Consent. I pray that we are strong, beautiful vessels for God in the world, as individuals, congregations, and altogether! You can see the legislative work that we did at Conference by clicking on the button below. ![]() Written by Kat Goheen Canada West Mission Centre Co-President Reflections on World Conference This past Sunday our Vancouver zoom service centred on a recap of our delegates’ experiences. Each person who spoke evoked memories of people and meaningful moments for me! One important thing that I want to share with you is the truly international feeling of this Conference. Shannon and I had roommates from Germany and Norway who shared with us daily about their church experience growing up in Europe and continuing today. We had apostles and delegates speaking in their native tongues as we English speakers waited for translations. All kinds of sessions were translated into French and Spanish as well as American Sign Language, and legislation and worship sessions were also translated into German and Tahitian (perhaps more!). It was such a reminder to me that faithful followers of Jesus in our Christian expression of Community of Christ eat, pray, worship, and sing in their own unique and beloved ways. During the week, we roomies realized that we have all studied different languages on the same learning platform, so we became language friends on the app and continue to do friend challenges together. I was studying French just for fun before, but after using it ‘for keeps’ during Conference, I have a renewed interest! I would encourage you to consider learning or brushing up on another language as a spiritual practice in solidarity with our spiritual siblings around the world. We sometimes forget that we are part of something bigger that is vibrant and beautiful: we truly have unity in diversity and it makes us stronger. PS – Email me if you want to be language buddies! ![]() |
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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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