The Weekly Wire for July 27, 2016

Canada West Mission

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

2016

July23-30 Spectacular Graceland University

July 24-30 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

July 31-Aug 6 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

August 7-13 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island

August 5-7 Nurturing Spirit Retreat Hills of Peace

August 14-20 Camp Mungai (10-11 yrs) Samish Island

August 28- September 1 Singles Reunion Samish Island

*dates subject to change, always check online or here for the most up to date information.

All camping dates are included at the bottom of the Weekly Wire and on the CWM website.

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This Week…in the Weekly Wire!

 

Samish Island and Hills of Peace Camping and Retreat info

Canada West Mission Conference – new information

Women’s Retreat Chilliwack

Nurturing Spirit Weekend – Hills of Peace

Vancouver Neighbourhood Party

Community of Christ App

Shopping on Amazon.ca

Links to our Worldwide Ministries website

We want you to ‘like’ our CWM Facebook Page

2016 Camping Dates

Quote of the Week

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52 Skillz comes to

Canada West Mission Conference!

Now that you’ve enjoyed your family reunions and the kids have been to summer camp, it’s time to think about Canada West Mission Conference!

One of our guests this year will be Stephen Robinson who spent a year learning a new skill a week. He’ll be leading two sessions at Mission Conference this year so be sure to register soon and check out his website 52skillz

Billeting Rachel Pawliuk r_mbuck@yahooo.ca

Registration Form  send to  debra@communityofchrist.ca

Conference Kids!

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Nurturing Spririt Retreat Hills of Peace

Fully Awake and Truly Alive

Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul

“Spiritual practices are not separate from life.  They are simply ways of seeing and being in the world that help us wake up and become fully, truly alive.” Rev. Jane Vennard

Come spend a weekend at Hills of Peace exploring and learning spiritual practices that will help you become “fully awake and truly alive”.  We will weave the practices from Jane Vennard’s book into a weekend retreat that allows us to be more open to the transforming grace of God’s ever present Love.

If you have not yet registered for the Nurturing Spirit Retreat, please consider attending. 

Attached is some additional information about the spiritual practices we will talk about as well as the schedule. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Remember … the Nurturing Spirit Retreat is a gift to yourself, the opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and reconnect with yourself and God.

Pre-Registration is appreciated by Monday, August 1.

 Online registration           Download the Brochure

(you can also find the online registration on the Canada West Mission website and selecting CWM Camps, Retreats, Reunions tab on LH side)

I look forward to receiving your registration, Lisa Neudorf.

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Vancouver Neighbourhood Party

featuring the ‘Seabillys’

 

The Seabillys were awesome!

Check out the Vancouver Facebook Page for music clips.

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Camp Chimacum

Samish Youth Camp and Retreat Registration Form

Email to kimtah@cofchrist-gpnw.org

Directors Mark Chapman 360-420-6369

and Erik Skoor 425-238-9714

chimacum@cofchrist-gpnw.org

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Camp Kimtah

Samish Youth Camp and Retreat Registration Form

Email tojbrunette@cofchrist-gpnw.org

Directors Celina Beer 778-908-0944

or Dorothey Wilgus 253-753-3901

 kimtah@cofchrist-gpnw.org

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Get God

A leadership project for Young Adults

Application deadline July 30, 2016

with rewards!

See 2015/16 participant, Kelly Duff’s article in What’s Up… In the CWM.

 

Get God Application Form

Get God Detailed Program

For more information contact Steve Thompson steve@communityofchrist.ca  or Debra Donohue debra@communityofchrist.ca

Here are some photos from Hawaii Reunion that Kelly Duff attended as part of her year in the Get God program.

Kelly playing RummyQ with Josh and Steve

 

Below Kelly offering a prayer at the prayer service

and Kelly with Jolee

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How to pay for US run

Youth Camps and Retreats at Samish Island.

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Women’s Retreat – Chilliwack

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Singles Reunion Samish Island

Aug 28 – Sept 1

       Step Out of Your Story: Writing Exercises to Reframe and Transform Your Life

by Kim Schneiderman

The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci

We also have purchased a few copies of each book that we have available to borrow.  Tom and I will be taking these copies to Samish Family Reunion Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 for folks to borrow.  Please let us know ASAP if you are unable to buy or borrow these books from your local library.

If you have any questions or concerns about Samish Singles Reunion this summer, please call ASAP to 253-370-8840 or email Susan Webber at pray4compassion@yahoo.org or swebber@cofchrist-gpnw.org.

We hope you will invite your single, divorced or widowed friends to this inclusive community that will meet again this summer at the beautiful Samish Island Campgrounds Sunday, August 28--Thursday, September 1, 2016.

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How do we pay for camps?

Canada West Mission Centre is continuing to offer camps and retreats at no charge to ensure that registration fees are not barriers to participation. Donations are accepted to help offset the costs of the events. As you consider your donations this year, please keep in mind that the high exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars will result in higher costs to the Mission Centre to fund camps and retreats. Thank you for your past and continuing support of these events. Contact Debra Donohue for more information if needed debra@communityofchrist.ca or 1-877-411-2632 ext 4

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Community of Christ App for Android and IOS

Community of Christ launched an app for Android and iOS devices. The app is available for download from Google Play and the App Store on iTunes.

With the Community of Christ app, you can read daily spiritual devotions, watch inspiring videos, stay in touch with mission happening around the world, and much more.

The app development was funded through the generous offerings received during the USA National Conference after event expenses were met.

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Here is the  link for “Community of Christ and Amazon.ca ” to make purchases and have up to 8.5% returned to the Canadian church.

Learn how it works here Community of Christ Amazon video

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 CWM Facebook Page!

Go to our facebook page to see what’s going on in the CWM

and be sure to ‘like’ us.

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Community of Christ website links

Community of Christ Upcoming Events: Visit the Community of Christ Calendar to see upcoming events, links to Daily Prayer for Peace, and Worship Resources.

Community of Christ Current Announcements: See the most current announcements on Community of Christ homepage or on the Announcements page .

Community of Christ Mission Stories:  Mission Stories

The next link is to a great video produced by the Community of Christ that everyone should see.

Community of Christ, What We Offer You Video

To those seeking a spiritual home, Community of Christ is a welcoming, loving, worldwide faith community that values the worth of every person as a child of God, and provides a safe space for you to explore and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.

In Community of Christ, you will receive love and support as you discover renewed purpose for your life through compassionate, Christ-like service that ends suffering and fosters justice and peace.

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Canada West Camping and Event Calendar

2016

July23-30 Spectacular Graceland University

July 24-30 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

July 31-Aug 6 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

August 7-13 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island

August 5-7 Nurturing Spirit Retreat Hills of Peace

August 14-20 Camp Mungai (10-11 yrs) Samish Island

August 28- September 1 Singles Reunion Samish Island

Sept 2-4 Canada West Mission Conference – Ribstone AB

Sept 23-25 Men’s Retreat Hills of Peace

Sep 30–Oct 2 Women's Retreat Chilliwack

October 28-30 Singles Retreat Samish Island

Note: Hills of Peace Spiritual Retreat is cancelled for 2016 due to World Conference

Dates are subject to change, please register early to avoid cancellation of your event.

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Quote of the Week

Weekly Wire for July 13, 2016

Canada West Mission

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

2016

July 15 - 19 Junior Camp (8-12 yrs) Hills of Peace

July 16-23 Family Reunion Samish Island

July23-30 Spectacular Graceland University

July 24-30 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

July 31-Aug 6 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

August 7-13 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island

August 5-7 Nurturing Spirit Retreat Hills of Peace

August 14-20 Camp Mungai (10-11 yrs) Samish Island

August 28- September 1 Singles Reunion Samish Island

*dates subject to change, always check online or here for the most up to date information.

All camping dates are included at the bottom of the Weekly Wire and on the CWM website.

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This Week…in the Weekly Wire!

 

Hey you…why aren’t you at camp?

(you’re missing out on the fun)

Register your kids for Mission Conference today!

Samish Island and Hills of Peace Camping and Retreat info

Registered Youth Worker Training

What’s Up…In the CWM online link

Canada West Mission Conference

Women’s Retreat Chilliwack

Strawberry Social Chilliwack – photos

Vancouver Neighbourhood Party

Community of Christ App

Shopping on Amazon.ca

Links to our Worldwide Ministries website

We want you to ‘like’ our CWM Facebook Page

2016 Camping Dates

Thought for the Week

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Vancouver Neighbourhood Party

featuring the ‘Seabillys’

A family of very serious cats… and lunch has begun!

The Seabillys were awesome!

Check out the Vancouver Facebook Page for music clips.

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Camp Kluane

Samish Youth Camp and Retreat Registration Form

Email to kluane@cofchrist-gpnw.org

Director Kim Naten 360-748-3562

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Camp Chimacum

Samish Youth Camp and Retreat Registration Form

Email to chimacum@cofchrist-gpnw.org

Directors Mark Chapman 360-420-6369

and Erik Skoor 425-238-9714

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Camp Kimtah

Samish Youth Camp and Retreat Registration Form

Email to kimtah@cofchrist-gpnw.org

Directors Celina Beer 778-908-0944

or Dorothey Wilgus 253-753-3901

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Get God

A leadership project for Young Adults

Application deadline July 30, 2016

with rewards!

See 2015/16 participant, Kelly Duff’s article in What’s Up… In the CWM.

 

Get God Application Form

Get God Detailed Program

For more information contact Steve Thompson steve@communityofchrist.ca  or Debra Donohue debra@communityofchrist.ca

Here are some photos from Hawaii Reunion that Kelly Duff attended as part of her year in the Get God program.

Kelly playing RummyQ with Josh and Steve

 

Below Kelly offering a prayer at the prayer service

and Kelly with Jolee

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What’s Up…In the CWM is online 

in full colour. 

Hard copies are available at church.

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Mission Conference!

Register today

 

Please register early if you have children attending so we can plan classes for them.

Billeting Rachel Pawliuk r_mbuck@yahooo.ca

Registration Form  send to  debra@communityofchrist.ca

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How to pay for US run

Youth Camps and Retreats at Samish Island.

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Registered Youth Worker – Core Training

Registered Youth Worker Core Training will be offered at  at Samish Island Family Reunion on Tuesday July 19. Priesthood members and anyone who works with children at Community of Christ events are required to be Registered Youth Workers and need to complete the updated training by the end of this year.

Registered Youth Worker training teaches us how we can protect and ensure the safety of children when they are in our care and also teaches adults how to ensure they do not place themselves in a situation where misunderstandings or accusations can occur.

Click here for a RYW application package.

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Junior Camp Hills of Peace

JUNIOR CAMP “Life 2-Gether”

Who:  All youth who have completed grades 2 through 6, ages 8 to 12.

When:  Friday, July 15 to Tuesday, July 19 specific times along with a “what to bring” list will be provided at a later date.

Where: Hills of Peace Cadogan, AB

Pre-Registration is required by Friday, June 30  Online registration

(you can also find the online registration on the Canada West Mission website and selecting CWM Camps, Retreats, Reunions tab on LH side).

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It’s time to register for Samish Family Reunion

‘Of Water and Spirit’

Registration samishbcreunionregister@gmail.com

Important reminders

You must purchase your own travel insurance for travel to any camps out of the province. Here is the link to BCAA travel insurance

Remember to let us know of your food allergies or if you are a vegetarian. Our cooks need to know this in advance – even if they know you.  Thank you.

A message from your cooks

While we try to make our meals as inclusive as we can, please understand that we cannot accommodate every single participant’s dietary preferences and food sensitivities for every meal.

We ask that if you have serious allergies/sensitivities or strict food preferences that you please bring supplementary food with you and let us know what your allergies are. If you carry an EpiPen or other medication for an allergic reaction we must notify our camp nurse.

*Please note that the purpose of our dietary requests are not so that you can follow a current diet, but to ensure those with actual food allergies can enjoy their week at camp.

Shonnet and Shelley

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Chilliwack Strawberry Social

Fire Chief Don Beer arranged for us to borrow the Fire Departments barbeque

Jeff Beer and Barry Williams

Mary Gooden from Meadow Ridge won the ‘strawberry limerick contest’ with this limerick:

Strawberries, Strawberries, oh me, oh my

They are so delicious, they come in a pie.

Talk about scrumptious,

so I’m going to try,

To be gracious, when I win the pie

Singer Damian Brennan

To see more photos from the Strawberry Social go to our chilliwack facebook page.

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Women’s Retreat – Chilliwack

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Nurturing Spririt Retreat Hills of Peace

 

We are pleased to invite you to Hills of Peace Nurturing Spirit Retreat 2016. The Nurturing Spirit Retreat is a gift to yourself. It is an opportunity to step back from our busy lives and embrace the opportunity to slow down and truly retreat from the hectic lives we lead.

Theme: “Fully Awake and Truly Alive” We will be referring to the book by Rev. Jane Vennard and learning spiritual practices to nurture our souls.

Dates:  Friday, August 5 – 7:00 pm to Sunday, August 7 – noon.  A “what to bring” list will be provided in advance of the retreat.

Weekend leaders:  Vickie MacArthur and Lisa Neudorf

Pre-Registration is required by Thursday, July 28  Online registration

You can also find the online registration on the Canada West Mission website and selecting CWM Camps, Retreats, Reunions tab on LH side

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Singles Reunion Samish Island

Aug 28 – Sept 1

       Step Out of Your Story: Writing Exercises to Reframe and Transform Your Life

by Kim Schneiderman

The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci

We also have purchased a few copies of each book that we have available to borrow.  Tom and I will be taking these copies to Samish Family Reunion Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 for folks to borrow.  Please let us know ASAP if you are unable to buy or borrow these books from your local library.

If you have any questions or concerns about Samish Singles Reunion this summer, please call ASAP to 253-370-8840 or email Susan Webber at pray4compassion@yahoo.org or swebber@cofchrist-gpnw.org.

We hope you will invite your single, divorced or widowed friends to this inclusive community that will meet again this summer at the beautiful Samish Island Campgrounds Sunday, August 28--Thursday, September 1, 2016.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do we pay for camps?

Canada West Mission Centre is continuing to offer camps and retreats at no charge to ensure that registration fees are not barriers to participation. Donations are accepted to help offset the costs of the events. As you consider your donations this year, please keep in mind that the high exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars will result in higher costs to the Mission Centre to fund camps and retreats. Thank you for your past and continuing support of these events. Contact Debra Donohue for more information if needed debra@communityofchrist.ca or 1-877-411-2632 ext 4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community of Christ App for Android and IOS

Community of Christ launched an app for Android and iOS devices. The app is available for download from Google Play and the App Store on iTunes.

With the Community of Christ app, you can read daily spiritual devotions, watch inspiring videos, stay in touch with mission happening around the world, and much more.

The app development was funded through the generous offerings received during the USA National Conference after event expenses were met.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is the  link for “Community of Christ and Amazon.ca ” to make purchases and have up to 8.5% returned to the Canadian church.

Learn how it works here Community of Christ Amazon video

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 CWM Facebook Page!

Go to our facebook page to see what’s going on in the CWM

and be sure to ‘like’ us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community of Christ website links

Community of Christ Upcoming Events: Visit the Community of Christ Calendar to see upcoming events, links to Daily Prayer for Peace, and Worship Resources.

Community of Christ Current Announcements: See the most current announcements on Community of Christ homepage or on the Announcements page .

Community of Christ Mission Stories:  Mission Stories

The next link is to a great video produced by the Community of Christ that everyone should see.

Community of Christ, What We Offer You Video

To those seeking a spiritual home, Community of Christ is a welcoming, loving, worldwide faith community that values the worth of every person as a child of God, and provides a safe space for you to explore and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.

In Community of Christ, you will receive love and support as you discover renewed purpose for your life through compassionate, Christ-like service that ends suffering and fosters justice and peace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canada West Camping and Event Calendar

2016

July 15 - 19 Junior Camp (8-12 yrs) Hills of Peace

July 16-23 Family Reunion Samish Island

July23-30 Spectacular Graceland University

July 24-30 Camp Kluane (girls 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

July 31-Aug 6 Camp Chimacum (boys 12-14 yrs) Samish Island

August 7-13 Camp Kimtah (15-18 yrs) Samish Island

August 5-7 Nurturing Spirit Retreat Hills of Peace

August 14-20 Camp Mungai (10-11 yrs) Samish Island

August 28- September 1 Singles Reunion Samish Island

Sept 2-4 Canada West Mission Conference – Ribstone AB

Sept 23-25 Men’s Retreat Hills of Peace

Sep 30–Oct 2 Women's Retreat Chilliwack

October 28-30 Singles Retreat Samish Island

Note: Hills of Peace Spiritual Retreat is cancelled for 2016 due to World Conference

Dates are subject to change, please register early to avoid cancellation of your event.

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Thought for the Week

 

More 2016 World Conference Reflections

 

Steve Thompson

I was quite impressed with the reflections shared by Debra, Lisa, and Parker in the “special edition” of the CWM Announcements published earlier. Here are a few personal reminiscences of my experience at the 2016 World Conference.

For me there is nothing in any worship experience that quite compares with singing “The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning” with 4,000 of my closest friends accompanied by the Auditorium Organ! And we did that not once, but twice during conference this year! (Once at the opening service/business session and once at the Friday night Hymn Festival.) For a YouTube video of the experience, check it out here: The Spirit of God

And then, like gravy on the proverbial meat and potatoes, we sang Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” also not once, but twice in one week: once at a special performance of the “Messiah” in its entirety at the Stone Church to celebrate one hundred years since the inaugural performance by a church choir; and once to close out the Hymn Festival. Have a listen to that finale here: Hallelujah Chorus

(Count any week a good week when you get to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” twice!)

As a former deputy city clerk I have an un-natural interest in Parliamentary Procedure and how large meetings are managed and decisions are made. Leonard Young is a former apostle, a long-time “Registered Professional Parliamentarian,” and now the church’s Parliamentarian. Brother Young told a group of us on the day before World Conference started that of the 25 to 35 large conferences of non-profits and corporations for which he serves as official Parliamentarian each year, none are as large or as complex as our World Conference, and few are as long anymore. Please bear with me as I share two of several Parliamentary highlights in our week of business sessions.

The first is the disposition of the motions from the two Canadian mission centres concerning priesthood morality. These have been well-discussed in the mission centre previously so I won’t go into their content here. Due to a series of Parliamentary decisions by the Chair (or First Presidency as the case may be), only one of the three motions actually came to the conference floor for debate – it was the motion from Canada East Mission Centre. After a period of several speeches for and against the motion, a motion to “amend by substitution” was made and ultimately approved. The new amended motion was not exactly what we (the primary supporters from the two mission centres) had in mind, but we could live with it. We hoped to make one or two amendments to it before it came to a final vote. But before we got even close to a final vote (or any amendments), a motion to refer the motion to the First Presidency was made – by a member of the Council of Twelve. In one way, this was what we wanted anyway – to have the First Presidency review the motion and respond. But on the other hand, we were disappointed that the assembly would not vote on the main motion and express support (or not) for the substance of that motion – amended by substitution though it was. It remains to be seen what will come from the First Presidency by the next World Conference. Watch for more discussion of this process at both of our reunions this month.

In his “reflections,” Parker noted the use of a “common consent” process in relation to a motion about the definition of tithing. My second anecdote is, I believe, an unofficial application of the principle of “common consent” to an entirely different matter.

The last business item considered by the Conference was a motion to direct the church to include closed captioning in future videos produced by the church to assist those who are deaf or hard of hearing to be able to understand those materials. The motion was made and seconded. Then pretty much all of the speakers were in favour of the motion – really: why would anyone oppose it? As was inevitable in such a situation, the chair, in this case President Scott Murphy, recognized a person who moved to close debate and vote on the matter. A second was recognized.

President Murphy called the vote on the motion to close debate, which was easily approved, and then was about to call for the vote on the main motion when a woman most emphatically yelled that she had an objection! President Murphy asked her to explain her objection. The woman explained that she had been trying to get the floor to move a very important amendment to the motion. President Murphy, in his kindest, most diplomatic way, explained that he could not recognize her motion to amend because the motion to end debate had been approved and he must therefore call the vote on the main motion. Before her microphone was turned off, the woman exclaimed something to the effect of, “Fine. I only wanted to add something that would ensure deaf people who cannot read would benefit from this motion.” And then she sat down, quite obviously emotionally distraught.

Scott Murphy could do nothing but take the vote on the motion. It passed. Then he did something remarkable. He consulted quietly and briefly with Leonard Young for some Parliamentary advice. Then he called the woman back to the microphone and asked her what her intended amendment would have been. She said, “To add a phrase to the sentence to say ‘and the use of an inset picture of a sign language interpreter.’” (This would be in addition to closed captioning.) He asked her how much she thought that might cost. She said the software costs about $1,000 dollars and the interpreters would volunteer their time. He said, “Well, that just sounds eminently reasonable. Unless there is objection from the Assembly, I will rule that this amendment will be included with the motion we just passed.” Not only was there no objection, there was a rousing round of applause in obvious positive response to this decision. Common consent at its finest!

I have probably used too many words and still not really said enough. Let me close by saying World Conference is all about our people: people from Community of Christ in over 60 countries from all around the world; people in all their diversity of nationalities and colour and perspectives and languages and gender and dress and music; people in worship and in fellowship with each other and with their God; people in business sessions making decisions with which they may not all agree but doing so in peace and love and (mostly) in understanding; and people renewing and establishing relationships that last a lifetime and bind a small church together in love all around a world that needs Christ’s Mission as Our Mission more than ever. Ordinary people, just like us, doing extraordinary things in their communities, just like us.

Steve’s Conference Pictures

(Worth several thousand more words!)

Brenda Senga unfurled the Canadian flag.  Jan Kraybill plays the Auditorium Organ.

Gloria Stanton, Wayne Stanton, and Lisa Neufeld served communion.

Sunday Prayer for Peace – by Canada!

Susan Vawter lights the Peace Candle.

Marilyn Smith and Carol Shaw participate in the Prayer for Peace Ceremony.

Nadine Manson, on violin, and Tiona Taylor, both from Canada East.

The Temple and The Auditorium

The Temple Sanctuary – full for worship (ordination service for new apostles).

Dear friends to many in CWM (Penelope and Danny Belrose – now living in Independence.)

 

Former Church Historian, Mark Scherer,signing Steve’s copy of Mark’s latest volume of church history.

Closing Service:

Kat Goheen sings in a trio.

President Veazey – Closing Sermon, Kerry Richards (CEM) – Brief Statement

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Debra Donohue

I had the opportunity to attend World Conference for the first time this year.  I’d always heard from other people what a great experience World Conference is, how wonderful it is to meet other church members from around the world and how important it is to feel like you are part of the process when decisions are made about the future of our church. I’m happy to say that I agree. 

As you know, all of our Canadian staff are located in different cities so it was great to hang out with them.  Apostle Art Smith, CWM President Steve Thompson, Camping and Retreat Specialist Lisa Neudorf, and our newest CWM team member Parker Johnson - Young Adult Ministries Specialist were all in attendance.  Oh and me too, Debra Donohue Congregational Outreach Specialist.

Art, Debra and Lisa above

Our Canada West Mission Delegates were (back row first, left to right)

Shirley and Carl Bolger, Janine McCully, Carol Shaw

Lanette Vawter, Kat Goheen, Debra Donohue, Susan Vawter, Lisa Neudorf, Greg Goheen

Steve Thompson, Gloria and Wayne Stanton, Marilyn Smith

Brenda Senga, Eileen and Lloyd Chase, Jack and Bev Cargill

Because World Conference was held in June this time, it gave us the opportunity to do more outdoor activities.  There were food trucks out on the street for both lunch and dinner.  The food was good, although next time, I hope they have a wider variety of food trucks instead of the same ones each day.  Just sayin’.

Campfire on the plaza was great, and most nights we were entertained by talented Community of Christ performers on the small stage. This stage is definitely too small for the Polynesian group, but perfectly fine for the single and duo acts.  The weather was so warm that it felt tropical, but without the ocean.  Okay let’s be honest, it was downright hot and sticky in the daytime, but wonderful in the evenings.

 

Canada was asked to do the Prayer for Peace on Sunday June 5th.  The participants from left to right were Susan Vawter, Marilyn Smith, and Carol Shaw from Canada West, and Tiona Taylor from Canada East.

Musicians (above the prayer flags) Ann Mitchell – piano, and Nadine Manson –violin, both from Canada East Mission Centre.

Susan Vawter and I were part of the English speaking Caucus. We took a photo each day to prove to our moms that we were changing our clothes while we were away. 

It was lovely to spend time with our previous Apostle, Mary Jacks-Whipple, who was the English speaking caucus’ spiritual leader.

I got out with the girls for a couple of dinners in town.  This was the only restaurant I took photos of and it was a lovely dinner with great company.  Lanette was taking the photo, pictured are Susan Vawter, Marilyn Smith and myself.

Many of you will know Canada East Mission Centre President Kerry Richards …

… and my fellow Vancouver delegates Susan, Lanette and Kat.

One of our legislative meetings, with Apostle Linda Booth on the big screen.  Here are the links to all of the 2016 Conference Resolutions and the Official Actions of the 2016 World Conference. 

One of our evening worship services.

Our Apostle Art Smith with Apostle Linda Booth centre stage.  If you look up and to the right, you may recognize Rick James who used to live in BC.  Rick was filling in as security during that particular legislative meeting.  Currently Rick and his wife Pat are living in Niagra Falls where he is the pastor.

Our next World Conference takes place April 6-13, 2019.  It has been moved back to April so that we can celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Temple.  The Festivities are already being planned so mark your calendar and be a delegate for World Conference 2019.

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Lisa Neudorf

This was my second opportunity to attend World Conference, my first being in 1988 which seems like a lifetime ago and as you can imagine, the experience was very different for me in 2016. This time I wasn’t simply attending as a member but rather, I was representing Canada West Mission Centre both as an employee and as a delegate.

I did not realize how many people I knew until I attended World Conference. It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and I enjoyed a few conversations trying to figure out where the other person and I knew each other from. There are many highlights from the week but some of my favourites were:

Serving Communion is something which brings me great joy and I was thrilled to serve Communion in the Sunday morning worship service.

Wende Badder of Canada East Mission Centre and I had the opportunity to teach a Conference Kids session about Canada. As we know, there are a lot of misconceptions about Canada and we had fun teaching the kids about what it is really like to live in Canada. They loved our money, were fascinated with the fact school was more like to be cancelled due to thick fog rather than due to snow. Two fun facts I learned … Canadians eat more macaroni and cheese than anywhere else in the world and we eat more doughnuts and have more doughnut shops per capita than anywhere else in the world.

Over the last year many congregations made Prayer Flags which were strung together and hung in the Temple, Auditorium and all areas in between to create a tent of prayers at World Conference. There were hundreds (maybe thousands) of flags and after a few days of hunting, I was thrilled to find my son’s Prayer Flag hanging in the Auditorium.

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Parker Johnson

World Conference is a time for us to come together as an international community to discuss important issues facing our faith tradition and our world today. Each geographic area of Community of Christ sends delegates to Independence who will represent their unique spiritual/cultural perspectives. The Assembly is made up of 3 - 5,000 delegates from 52+ nations from around the world, each conferring and striving to reach consensus with other delegates using Robert’s Rules of Order. (Imagine the United Nations with delegates able to speak at a microphone in order to ask questions/raise concerns/speak in favor or against.)

I had the privilege of being an Oklahoma Delegate this year, and I enjoyed my experience immensely! Some of the highlights for me?

1. The People

a. I can’t help but love all of the perspectives…even those I disagree with. I love that we have such a rich international membership. It only takes one look around The Auditorium to see just how blessed we are. With each country we have a presence in, I believe our mission becomes more like Christ’s mission.

2. The Place (Temple & Auditorium)

a. I can’t help but fall in love with our faith community all over again when I attend events at The Temple and Auditorium. When I walk in the doors…I feel a deep sense of calm come over me.

b. The second thought that always comes to me as I walk the halls of this beautiful building? This building is ours. A deep love for this church, the pursuit of peace, and a great deal of commitment went into this structure.

c. The third thought that always comes to me as I walk the halls of this beautiful building? I want to share this with everyone I know.

3. The Process

a. I can’t help but love the way Community of Christ World Conference works. Our faith community is a theocratic democracy – or a theodemocracy. While certain divine authority rests with the First Presidency and other world church leaders, The Assembly has the ability to decide on various topics from our church’s stance on modern issues today, approving/rejecting policies presented by leaders, and more.

b. This year, World Conference introduced the Common Consent process. I was personally a big fan of this! This new process gave delegates the opportunity to vote using electronic polling devices on their perspective of the conference resolutions throughout the conference. An initial poll was taken asking delegates to rate their level of support (or lack thereof), followed by a secondary poll to gauge perspectives on why. This helped the body to move towards a more unified voice as it related to amendments and/or other changes throughout World Conference.

c. More information on the Common Consent process can be found here: Common Consent Process

One of the orders of business for The Assembly is to vote on the acceptance of the Prophet/President’s Words of Counsel – Community of Christ calls this continuing revelation. Our faith community prayerfully listens to understand God’s will for our lives, the church, and creation. At World Conference 2016, President Steve Veazey presented his Words of Counsel to the church. The Assembly voted to approve this, and it has now been added into the Doctrine & Covenants as Section 165. You can find it here: Doctrine & Covenants Section 165

I’ll share my favorite lines…

6 a. Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

b. As Christ’s body, lovingly and patiently bear the weight of criticism from those who hesitate to respond to the divine vision of human worth and equality in Christ. This burden and blessing is yours for divine purposes.

Parker Johnson

Parker’s photos

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If you have any burning questions about the 2016 World Conference or the resolutions feel free to contact any of us on your CWM team.

Steve Thompson steve@communityofchrist.ca

Debra Donohue debra@communityofchrist.ca

Lisa Neudorf lisa@communityofchrist.ca

Parker Johnson parker@communityofchrist.ca