This week we enjoyed another opportunity for connection and fellowship via Zoom.

When we set out to offer a weekly online fellowship gathering, we were unsure how long social distancing measures would be in place. Now, some two months later, we took stock of current guidelines and brainstormed new ways of connecting while remaining safe and healthy.

Some ideas included:

- Focused discussions/presentations on pre-announced topics
- Monthly online prayer meeting
- Online games night
- A socially-distanced outdoor activity

Can't wait to dig into this a bit deeper and make some decisions for future gatherings! If you have any ideas, please email Parker at parker@communityofchrist.ca.

The First Presidency has continued to monitor the progression of COVID-19 and the recommendations from professional health organizations and local governments. While health organizations continue to express caution, local governments are beginning to relax stay-at-home orders and make provisions for businesses and churches to reopen with modified in-person gatherings. The Presidency has been prayerful in how to guide the church in this next phase.

After consulting the World Church Leadership Council, which provides a global perspective, they are offering these recommendations. 
​
The recommendations are also available in French and in Spanish.

​As we continue to explore the guiding question, “Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?” a yearlong series of interlinked Herald magazine articles, videos, and live online discussions begins this month.

​The guiding question first was asked by President Stephen Veazey in his closing sermon at the 2019 World Conference. The series is an entry point to ongoing conversation about nonviolence by reclaiming and deepening our understanding of first-century Jesus and how that impacts us as followers of the peaceful One today. The multimedia connection points are intended to create opportunities for discussion and education in response to World Conference Resolution 1319.

Join us
​
Read 
The Herald series begins in the May/June issue with “Toward the Peaceful One: Jesus Christ in Restoration Perspective.” It is also online at www.CofChrist.org/guiding-question. The series continues through May/June 2021 with topics drawn from Doctrine and Covenants 163:4a-b exploring what nonviolence looks like from the perspective of the poor, displaced, mistreated, diseased, and more.

Watch 
Matt Frizzell, Human Resource Ministries director at International Headquarters and a Community of Christ minister, will share a reflection on each Herald article in videos. View them on IGTV on Instagram or Facebook. The videos also will be shared on CofChrist.org.
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Discuss
Online groups will be offered via Zoom on the first Mondays of June, August, October, December, February 2021, April, and June.  The first online discussion group will be held on Monday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. (CDT). This is a free event hosted on Zoom. Apostle Janné Grover will lead a discussion with Matt Frizzell, author of the first article in the series. Opportunties for questions to the author and small-group discussion will be provided. 

This event is free but registration is required for the online discussion. 
 
“Whether someone starts with a belief in Jesus or concern for the world’s pressing problems, the hope we can find in divine possibilities is something we search and yearn for,” Frizzell said.
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These articles, the video series, and Zoom gatherings are made possible by Worldwide Mission Tithes. Your contributions are welcome online or by mail to the Presiding Bishopric, 1001 W. Walnut St., Independence, Missouri, USA.

Are you attending our weekly online fellowship gatherings? We meet on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. MDT. These are one-hour in length and include the following elements:

• Story time with Amy Cartwright and kids
• Music with Bill Tompkins
• Prayer/Poetry reading
• Guided discussion

Full details can be found here. 

Each week CWM staff distribute a weekly digest email containing everything you need to know. From event details, to COVID-19 updates, to general updates, this email is a quick way to stay up-to-date on all things CWM.

Check It out here, and if you aren't already subscribed please do so here.

To the Calgary Congregation:

While many of us are financially impacted during the pandemic, I want to remind you that the financial needs of the church continue and that your support is important. For those who are set up for electronic giving, thank you, and for those who prefer to give by means of cheque or cash, you can continue to give by mailing (preferably cheques, as cash through the mail is not advised) via our Calgary Congregation mailing address, which is:

Community of Christ Calgary Congregation
ATTN: Sam Smalldon, CFO
PO Box 71113
Silver Springs
Calgary, AB T3B 5K2

If you are interested in contributing online, please visit www.communityofchrist.ca/give to view all of your giving options.

Financial support for the church at all levels is important now, maybe more than ever.

Also, I have been asked by a couple of people already if we are required to continue to pay rent on our Lions Village space and the answer is no. We are only charged when we are actually able to use it. We all look forward to seeing each other again in person.


Blessings,

Doug Hayden
Pastor
​Calgary Community of Christ

Spark!, the Calgary Congregation's blog is in search of writers who would be interested in contributing written stories, testimonies, or even sermons that could be shared with the congregation as well as the public on our website.

Contact Parker Johnson at parker@communityofchrist.ca for more details.

Each week on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. MDT, members of the congregation are invited to attend a one-hour fellowship opportunity online.*

*If you do not have the ability to join our weekly video conference fellowship via computer, you are more than welcome to dial-in by phone for audio-only participation.

Full details on how to join the call (by computer or phone) can be found here. We hope to see you on a future gathering!

​Members of the World Church Finance Board approved the Fiscal Year 2019 Audit on 30 April.

​It is now available online.