Weekly Wire for February 1, 2012

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Meadow Ridge Celebration of Remembrance

Three members will be honored this Sunday at the Meadow Ridge Congregation in a service of appreciation and remembrance.

Grace Suffern, Jean Cornish and Mary Gooden.

If you’d like to send a note of appreciation or a memory you have of one or more of the ladies,  we will read it at the service.  Please send your note to debra@communityofchrist.ca or better yet, join us this Sunday February 5^th at 11am at the Meadow Ridge Church. 19089 Advent Road, Meadow Ridge, BC.

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Welcome Rachelle Smalldon!

For those who don't know me, my name is Rachelle Smalldon and I have recently been employed by the Canada West Mission Centre in the role of Field Specialist based in Edmonton. Some of my new responsibilities in the Mission Centre involve directing the youth summer camps -particularly Senior High Camp at Hills of Peace and the Canada West group attending SPECTACULAR at Graceland University in July 2012.

Senior High Camp is scheduled for July 1-7, 2012

Spec is scheduled for July 19-29, 2012 (travel dates included)

I am looking to collect any names and contact info for youth who might be eligible to attend either Senior High Camp or Spectacular - basically anyone in grades 10-12 (ages 15-18).

If you know of any youth who might be interested in attending one or both of these events, could you please forward me their names and any contact info you have for them (particularly phone and emails would be most helpful). Then I can make sure to get in touch with them and send them information about the camps.

Thank you in advance!

Rachelle Smalldon

Field Specialist, Canada West Mission Centre, Community of Christ

rlsmalldon@gmail.com or facebook.com/rachelle.smalldon or 403-618-8070

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Vancouver member wins full entrance scholarship to University of Cambridge, England

Tristan Downing is about to attend the same university as Sir Isaac Newton, Bertrand Russell, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.

Semiahmoo Secondary IB student Tristan Downing won a $150,000 University of Cambridge scholarship.

And he's doing it on a full-ride $150,000 scholarship, courtesy of the Blyth Cambridge Commonwealth Trust.

The 17-year-old Semiahmoo Secondary senior is one of only three Canadians to be awarded the full entrance scholarship to the University of Cambridge. The scholarship is presented annually to students who show academic excellence, intellectual depth, personal integrity and success beyond their school studies.

Tristan's scholarship application included a 1,000-word essay, three letters of recommendation, a list of his academic achievements and a grueling interview with the scholarship selection committee.

Tristan is a student in Semiahmoo's International Baccalaureate program. IB program co-ordinator Lynne Porpaczy says Tristan has considerable natural talent, but also works hard and finds time to contribute to his community by coaching sailing at Crescent Beach and playing the piano at his church.

"He inspires me when he describes his goal to become an engineer so he can find practical ways to help build a more sustainable future and work with struggling communities through Engineers Without Borders. I believe Tristan will use this award and opportunity for a very worthy purpose."

Porpaczy adds that she's grateful for scholarship founder Sam Blyth's recognition of Tristan's work and academic potential.

Tristan is the son of Rod and Willa Downing.

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Nurturing Spirit: Falling in Love with your “Divine Self”

Calgary

Friday, March 9 – Sunday, March 11

Community of Christ, 6415 Ranchview Dr. NW, Calgary

Guest Teacher/Minister: Vickie MacArthur has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past 15 years and sees yoga as a spiritual path healing body, mind and spirit. (www.spiritinmotionyoga.ca)

Take time out to nurture body, mind and spirit through the time‐honored practices of yoga and meditation. Learn gentle stretches and breathing practices to release tension and discomfort in the body as well as prayer and meditation to calm and focus the mind.

Fall in love with your “Divine Self” and connect to that place of peace and stillness where God lives and breathes in you. It is from this deep wellspring of stillness and joy, that we can live life more abundantly and learn to love others more deeply.

On Friday, join us from 7-9pm for Sacred Song Circle: community sound and silence. We begin on a single note and journey together through simple chants and songs, supported by resonant listening practices. No previous musical or sound experience necessary! The evening will be led by Pamela L. Alexander, Voice & Song Facilitator of Compassionate Community VOICE. Pamela enjoys a life-long participation in music and vocal play through improvised sound, original songs, spoken word & world music. In her voice facilitation work, she engages the human speaking/singing voice to offer experiences of authentic self-expression and resonant listening—practices that nourish individuals and build connected communities.

On Saturday from 9 til 4 we will enjoy a day of gentle yoga, relaxation. Healthy wholesome food will be served for lunch to nourish body and soul. Lunch will be shared silently! You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in walking meditation, making a prayer meditation bracelet from authentic crystals, or get introduced to Qigong or Reiki.

Complete the weekend by experiencing the “Divine Light Invocation”, a healing prayer and meditation for yourself and others on Sunday, from 10-12.

Registration is just $30 and is kindly required to help with planning meals and workshops. This is also a great opportunity to invite a friend. Please email Mary Jean Belrose at mjbelrose@shaw.ca or call (403) 241-9616.

Bring a Yoga mat, blanket, pillow or cushion, coffee/tea mug, journal, and an open mind. (There will be a few extra yoga mats for those who do not have one. There will also be chairs available for those who are not comfortable on the floor.) If you’re either brand new to these practices or have some experience, we look forward sharing the weekend with you!!

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Nurturing Spirit Weekend Vancouver

“Evolution of Spirit”

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Estate Planning Presentation

" Estate and Legacy Planning Presentation will be given at the Saskatoon Congregation, 701 First Street E., Saskatoon, March 17th 2012 from 10:00AM to Noon. How does legacy planning benefit you and others? Learn how to put together an effective estate plan and solutions to real problems. Can income be created with tax benefits and probate avoidance? There is NO Fee for the presentation and a light lunch to follow. Open to all Community of Christ members and friends of the church. Please RSVP to kmcgowan@cofchrist.org or toll free 1-800-884-7526 ext 5 to confirm your attendance before March 1st."

Kenneth J. McGowan, B.A., STI, MTI, PFP, FMA, CFP, CEP
Estate Planning
Community of Christ
1-800-884-7526 Toll Free United States and Canada
519-265-5349 Local

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Pursue Peace On Earth

Community of Christ Canadian Peace Award!

Right-click to download [PDF 259.1Kb] a printable version and the application form

We are looking for excellent examples of local people bringing peace to neighbourhoods and their communities through celebration, reconciliation and collaboration.

Examples might be:

• Mentoring
• Faith-based community support
• Volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to reducing violence in their neighbourhoods
• An individual who has shown exceptional courage in keeping the Peace
• Community safety / crime reduction initiative.
• An individual working across diverse groups to bring about positive changes
• People actively building bridges between young people, communities, generations, faiths or cultures.
• A congregation actively involved in engaging and connecting local communities, promoting Peace and Justice, uniting others to be peacemakers for the good of all.

To put forward your nominations please complete this application form and submit to the following:

The Canadian National Conference Team
c/o Operations Manager
Tim J. Stanlick
390 Speedvale Ave E
Guelph Ontario
N1E 1N5

Rules of Eligibility

1. Closing Date for ALL entries is March 1, 2012.
2. Nominees may be Canadian members or friends of the Community of Christ.
3. Additional information and supporting evidence cannot be returned.
4. The awards will be presented during the Canadian National Conference, June 16, 2012.
5. Self nominations will not be accepted.
6. Only award recipients and nominators will be notified in advance.

“We are poised to restore Christ’s covenant of peace, even the Zion of our hopes. The hope of Zion will become reality when we live Christ’s peace and generously share his peace with others.”
Taken from the Community of Christ, “Mission Initiatives” brochure.

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New Video from Apostle Susan Skoor!

We’re having a Canadian National Conference on June 16^th 2012!

Find out about the topics that will be discussed, get the tools to help you with your decision making process and find out which satellite location is nearest you. Apostle Susan Skoor will present you with a new thought each month until the conference begins so you can make informed decisions and make your voice heard.

See Apostle Susan Skoor’s video “Prayer”

The videos are available in both .MP4 and .flv formats. You may have to wait a moment for the videos to load.

“Get in on the conversation”

Follow us on Facebook at Community of Christ – Canadian National Conference

and Twitter at cofccnc

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Samish Island Kitchen Work Day

SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 25TH !!

SAMISH ISLAND CAMP KITCHEN ...

Come see the new kitchen and help get the kitchen operational for the camping season!!

...AND E-CABIN WORK DAY!

You use them, you love them, now it is time to give them some TLC!! This year the e-cabins need to be deep cleaned and a few repairs done prior to the start of the camping season in March!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25. 2012

9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Lunch is provided

Thank you!! See you at camp in February!!

RSVP Penny, pennyatsamish@gmail.com or Jen, ianjen.watson@gmail.com

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Youth Leadership Retreat in March

Plan Now To Attend!

“Join us at this annual training for directors, camp staff, youth leaders, Christian education teachers, and anyone who works with children and youth. To be held March 2-4, 2012 at Lewis River Campground. Featuring a variety of classes, discussions, planning, networking and fellowship. Come join the ministry! Sponsored by the GPNW Camping Team. FREE registration and accommodations – donations welcome. Watch for registration information soon.”

So, you get a free weekend at a church campgrounds as well as gain tools to help with your role in the camping program. Can’t beat that!

Let me know if you have any questions. Will get you all the registration information once it’s released!

Peace In!

Sean Langdon, Assistant Director for Youth Camping

Young Adult Ministries Specialist, GPNW Mission Center

Community of Christ, 425-293-6366

slangdon@cofchrist-gpnw.org

"Young adults, the church needs you. We need you now. We need you to help us become who we are all yearning to become." - President Steve Veazey, Address to the church on April 5, 2009

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Click here to see the Fall 2011 publication of

"What’s Up…in the CWM” online.

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"Each of us is put here in this time and this place
to personally decide the future of humankind.
Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary
people in a time of such terrible danger?
Know that you yourself are essential to this World."
-Lakota Indian Chief-Arvol Looking Horse”