Great news!
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The church is over halfway toward making the Bridge of Hope retirement responsibility of $120M. As of June 15, 2019, the church has contributed $60.8M to the Bridge of Hope retirement responsibility.   Since the last report at the 2019 World Conference, we have added an additional $7.7M toward the goal.

Church leaders express their gratitude and appreciation to all those who are helping make the church’s Bridge of Hope goal a reality. We look forward to reporting another update toward the end of 2019.

It’s back-to-school time for adults, too.

Registration for the next session of online ministry and priesthood courses and other congregational leadership classes begins in October. Anyone interested may take these classes for a low fee while participating with students all over North America. 

The next registration is 3-19 October via Developmetrics.org. This short registration period will ensure class completion by Christmas. 

Developmetrics is an online learning platform that provides three or four classes each quarter in English for Community of Christ members and friends. Check the Developmetrics website to see the schedule for 2020.

Red Session classes:
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•  Ministry of the Disciple (MP301, Temple School credit): This 8-week class engages disciples in spiritual practices and active learning. Designed to equip members and introduce friends to the core mission of Community of Christ.
• Ministry with Latter-day Seekers (Shelby credit): This 4-week class introduces Community of Christ priesthood, disciples, and congregations to ministry with Latter-day Seekers, particularly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community of Christ members will learn to articulate their identity, mission, message, and beliefs.
• Introduction to Scripture (SS400, Temple School credit): This 8-week course class uses video lectures from instructors Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith. This class defines and explores the nature of scripture in the life of the church; helps students understand genre, literary context, and historical and cultural context; and explores the function of the lectionary in sacraments, preaching, and teaching. Required for all new ordinands.
• Children and Youth Core Training (Shelby credit): This course takes about 2 weeks and prepares students to complete their Children and Youth Worker registration forms. The class covers types of child abuse, strategies for safeguarding youth and preventing abuse, guidance on handling incidents/reporting requirements, and other expectations of youth workers. Anyone wishing to work with children and young people within Community of Christ must participate in this course and be registered as a youth worker.

​Class fees can be found by going to Developmetrics.org and clicking on the US or Canada Registration pages. Class sizes are limited. The program is sponsored by Community of Christ in Canada.

What does it mean to be human and why are we on this earth? These are questions that humanity has been asking since the beginning. Listen in as Tony, Charmaine, and Carla tackle thee topic of what it means to be human. They discuss culture, theology, and what it means to be created in the image of God. ​

​Due to Canada West Mission Conference taking place this weekend in Edmonton, we will not be hosting Sunday services at the Calgary Congregation.

For those of you who are not attending Mission Conference as delegates, we invite you to participate in Mission Conference electronically through livestream. This will be hosted via the Canada West Mission Centre's Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/cofchristcwm). Please join us online this Sunday morning (September 1, 2019) at 10:30 a.m. MDT for what will be a very special service. More details can be found on the Facebook Event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2628479140509197/.

About the service:

- Speaker: Danny Belrose
- Presiding: Edmonton Congregation

Danny's message will focus on the difference between the episodic narrative and a sustaining narrative. What are our hidden stories?

If you have any questions about how to join the livestream, please contact Parker Johnson at parker@communityofchrist.ca.

The Worship Committee has released its new October 2019 - January 2020 Worship Schedule sign-up sheet. Browse dates and themes and add your name where you feel most inspired to serve! Deadline is September 15, 2019!

Details:

• Please send your preferred dates to Naomi Moor (nkmoor@shaw.ca) by September 15.
• Providing dates you are interested as well as those you are unavailable is most helpful.
  

Join us for the second week of travelling church THIS Sunday (Sunday, August 25, 2019) at Shirley Smith's home near Priddis. We will enjoy BBQ, fellowship, and a wonderful discussion-based sharing service planned by Shirley.

10:30 a.m. - Fellowship/Catching-up
11:00 a.m. - Non-traditional service
Lunch to follow

Bring your family and enjoy all of this surrounded by natural beauty! See driving directions below.

Please RSVP by emailing Parker Johnson at parker@communityofchrist.ca.

This month the Temple is hosting a variety of events. Last weekend more than 75 people came to the one-day spiritual formation retreat. The Spiritual Formation team shared some photos from the event. ​

Later this week, the Health and Wholeness Team will be hosting the Health and Spirituality workshop: "Walking with God Toward Wholeness. There is still time to attend this event which begins Friday, 24 August. Learn more and register from the Health Ministries Association website. ​

We wish to extend a huge 'THANK YOU' to Keith and Isabelle Williams (as well as Kyle, Loren, KC and Kindle) for hosting such a fantastic travelling church event this past Sunday. We had roughly 20 in attendance and enjoyed a wonderful focus moment with Naomi Moor, painting with the kids, campfire, and as always delicious food. 

Thank you for being such gracious hosts. We were all so warmly welcomed.