New Online Resource for Advent and Christmas

Worship in Community of Christ takes many forms. For many, traditional gatherings continue to provide strength and connection. At the same time, new and emerging communities are discovering creative ways of coming together. 


We are excited to introduce a fresh resource designed for new expressions of gathering. When We Gather is a new resource designed to support multiple ways of gathering—whether you are worshiping in familiar settings or exploring new possibilities in homes, sanctuaries, parks, or online spaces.


Rooted in the rhythm of the Liturgical year, When We Gather follows the weekly worship themes, while offering adaptable practices for diverse contexts. The collection draws from a wide range of expressions—poetry and prayer, spiritual practices, discussion topics and activities, music, art, and ideas for children and youth—shaped differently with each season. Some pieces are deeply rooted in faith language, while others draw on everyday spiritual expressions. Together, they invite you to shape gatherings that reflect the unique spirit of your community.

Nov. 21 - 23: Registered Youth Worker Retreat @ Buckhorn

Save the date for a Registered Youth Worker Retreat to be held at Buckhorn November 21 - 23, 2025.

This event will include training, talks about the value of a youth program, opportunities to share stories, how to perform a campfire, what volunteer staff get out of their involvement, and roundtable discussion about goals for the future.

More details - including registration - will be shared soon.

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As Seen in the Mission Center

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Cameron Austin and Ellis Troxell team up to collect the morning offering at Simi Valley Congregation October 8.

Photos provided by Glenn Johnson.

GPNW's Community Connections is back!

riends,

Our partners in the Greater Pacific Northwest Mission Center (GPNW) have announced that Community Connections is returning after a brief break and will start back up again on October 12 and 26. This is an online ministry of GPNW and offers two online worships a month on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Pacific. They've graciously extended an invitation to all the western USA mission centers - including ours. 

We hope you'll consider joining with members and friends of the church across the western United States for these regular offerings. 

WHY JOIN?

Online worship is such a fantastic option to keep connected when we can't always get to a congregation on Sunday mornings. It's also a great option for people who do attend a congregation on Sunday mornings, because Community Connections doesn't follow the lectionary. (In other words - you won't hear the same sermon twice!)

DETAILS

  • Segments from online worship services can be found on GPNW's YouTube page. For full length worship recordings, please email Ashley Whitham, awhitham@cofchrist-gpnw.org; if you would like to view a specific worship service (by date), please contact Brooke Schlenker at bschlenker@cofchrist-gpnw.org.

  • The 2nd Sunday of the month is always Communion Worship. 

  • The bulletins for the worship are emailed out the Friday before the worship. If you would like your email added to the list to receive this, please contact Brooke Schlenker at bschlenker@cofchrist-gpnw.org. 

  • Join via Zoom as early as 6 p.m. (Pacific) for ‘Foyer’ time – an opportunity for casually sharing and catching up. Worship will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

JOIN VIA ZOOM

Alternatively, join by phone (audio only):
Dial: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 841 448 115
Password: 043423

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Mission Center Conference 2025: November 1 (Chula Vista)

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Dear Friends,

Mission Center Conference will be held on Saturday November 1st  and we have made the decision to have the conference at the Chula Vista Congregation in the San Diego area.  We recognize this is a significant shift in location but we are trying to accommodate our members and friends from Mexico to join us for the conference.  We recognize that not all from Baja will be able to attend but this location provides a greater opportunity for those with approved travel documents to participate.  We are planning to begin moving the conference location around so that each of our gathered communities can provide hospitality and we can celebrate being gathered communities across the mission center.  

We also recognize that for some, this is a significant journey so the Chula Vista congregation has agreed that if people want to spend the night to help cut down on travel time in a day, the dorm rooms they have will be available.  If you would like to reserve a dorm room, please let Gina Norton know.  Her email is ginanorton52@gmail.com  or her phone number is 619-851-0327.  

Also, Field Support Minister Blake Smith will be our guest and provide classes in the morning and share during the conference.  He will also provide guest ministry on Sunday morning.  We will share more about the class focus, arrangements for food, and also the tentative agenda for the conference in a couple of weeks.  

Currently, we are planning on beginning at 9:30am with worship and then a class with Blake from 1o:15-noon, lunch, then another session 1-2:30, with the actual conference being called at 3:00pm until 5:00.  Again, this is our tentative schedule but hopefully it helps you in planning travel.  

More will be shared as our plans continue to come together.  Please plan to join us for fellowship, worship, conference decisions, and sharing as gathered community on Saturday November 1st.  

October 20 - December 14, 2025 CIMM Course Offerings

The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) announces the Ministry and Priesthood classes for the Fall 2025:

October 20 – December 14, 2025

  • CIMM0400 – Introduction to Scripture – Facilitator: Daniel Nowiski

  • CIMM0302 – Ministry of the Deacon – Facilitator: (TBA)

  • CIMM0450 – CYW Core Training – Facilitator: (TBA)

Students can register by visiting our website at www.graceland.edu/cimm.

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Donate to the Baja Education Fund

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It’s back to school time!

For many years we have supported youth in the Tecate and El Sauzal congregations by providing funds for school supplies and uniforms. This is beyond what we include in the mission center budget to support these congregations, and we ask for donations to meet this important need.

This year we provided funds for a total of 95 students between the two congregations, with a total cost of $24,430.

If you or your congregation would like to make a contribution to support this ministry, there are multiple ways you can do that.

  1. Make an individual donation using e-Tithing by clicking the link below and selecting “PSIMC Baja Education Fund.” https://app.securegive.com/cofchrist/pacific-southwest-international-msn-ctr-/donate/category

  2. Donate in your congregation and designate your check or envelope for “Baja Education.”

  3. Send a check to the mission center and note that it’s for Baja Education. See address below:


Community of Christ
PO Box 754
Griswold, IA 51535

These funds for education are so important in the lives of the youth in Baja. Please consider making a donation today.

FCNL Organizes Faith-Based Response to Historical Indian Boarding School Policies

FCNL Organizes Faith-Based Response to Historical Indian Boarding School Policies

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37

 

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) this year released a “Statement Supporting the Establishment of a Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States”. From the 1860s through the 1960s, U.S. federal policies mandated the assimilation of Native American children through Indian boarding schools, many of which were operated by Christian religious organizations. These policies forcibly separated children from their families and communities, punished them for speaking their languages or practicing their cultures, and often subjected them to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Tragically, many children never returned home, and numerous Native communities still do not know the fate or burial sites of their lost members. Despite good intentions cited at the time, these actions contradicted the Christian values of family unity and respect.

 

Faith-based organizations are now acknowledging their role in these historical harms and are calling for the establishment of a federal Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies. They argue that only full and transparent investigation, in partnership with Indigenous communities, can bring truth to light and begin the process of healing. The Department of the Interior has started an oversight investigation, but religious groups stress that much remains unknown and that the government’s involvement needs to be thoroughly examined and documented. The proposed commission would seek to uncover the full scope of injustices, make recommendations for addressing their enduring impacts, and support reconciliation between the federal government, faith groups, and Native communities. The full text of the letter which has been signed by many faith-based organizations is found here.

New Online Tool: USA Field Website

The USA Field now has a dedicated website for information and resources available at https://cofchristusa.org/.

The website includes:

  • Leadership Hub: Information on World Church leaders serving in the USA.

  • Engage Communities in Action: Explore relevant opportunities to engage with work being done in the USA.

  • Events: Experience faith, fellowship, and inspiration at a future USA event.

  • Statements: Messages of guidance, peace, and witness from USA apostles.

  • Ministry Resources: Links to tools to support ministry, worship and community.

VISIT WEBSITE

Online Series: Peace Perspectives

The free online lecture series, Peace Perspectives continues.

The Zoom sessions will open at 12:45 p.m. for a preliminary discussion with introductions and prayer from the host. Remaining lectures in this series:

27 September: Stassi Cramm, president-designate of the Community of Christ, will present The Role of Nonviolence in Living Christ’s Mission for International Day of Peace. 

11 October: For International Day of Women for Peace, a lecture by Sherri Kirkpatrick is anticipated but not confirmed.

1 November: For All Souls Day, A Celebration of Founders, Jim Doty will discuss Glaud Rogers, Ruma Swartzentruber will talk about her father, Ririfatu Maritanagi, and others are anticipated. 

7 December: Events planned for Human Rights Day include a Christmas Tea, with a special speaker.

Register Today for CIMM's Christian Ministries Certificate Program

The Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM) launched the "Christian Ministries Certificate" a little over two years ago as a learning opportunity following the MEADS program at headquarters. Through the Community of Christ Seminary, students are provided a mid-point of education between the Ministry and Priesthood courses and the Seminary master's programs.

The Christian Ministries Certificate provides seminary-vetted instructors in a community of learners online covering the following topics:

  • Introduction to Christian Theology

  • Peace and Justice

  • Spiritual Formation

  • New Testament

  • Hebrew Scriptures

  • Contextual Theology and Contemporary Culture

  • Ministries of the Church

  • Missional Leadership

  • Community of Christ Theology

  • Practical Ministry

  • World Religions

  • ...and more to come

Completion of any 10 classes awards the certificate, which can be presented at a Mission Center conference. Students take one course per 8-week period on their own weekly schedule. Summers are off for the camping season. If a student misses a class, they can choose to take another later on.

We encourage you to consider ministers in your area and proactivly approach individuals who may not only benefit their personal ministry, but bring expanded understanding to your mission center leadership. Some mission centers have chosen to subsidise the $100 fee of the classes for some ministers.

Students who wish to enroll should do so by starting with any upcoming Christian Ministries class. We are starting our second round of these courses August 25 with Dr. David Anderson teaching the "Christian Theology" class.

Visit our website, www.graceland.edu/cimm for more information on the Christian Ministries Certificate and registration. Please let me know if you have any questions about this ministerial leadership program, or any other CIMM learning opportunity.

ATTN: Young Adults: Join The Circle!

Calling all young adults and youth/young adult leaders!

Parker Johnson, PSI Communications Specialist has created a new online community for young adults called The Circle.

This space is intended to provide young adults- as well as leaders working with youth and young adults- with a “third space” to gather.

“Third space” is a sociological term and essentially refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place").

The Circle is intended to be a space for networking, socializing, theologizing, planning, collaborating, mentorship, and even asking if you can crash on someone’s couch while you’re on a road trip.

Community of Christ members are some of the kindest, most generous people many of us have ever met, and one of the most valuable aspects of membership/affiliation with the church is access to its passionate people.

A few housekeeping items to be completely transparent from Parker:

🆓 This space is 100% FREE.
🌳 The Circle is an initiative offered by Cottonwood Creative, a cross-border marketing agency I started in 2021. I use my agency’s resources to give back wherever I can to social impact organizations and my own denomination: Community of Christ.

If you'd like to join, just complete the form to get started!

JOIN THE CIRCLE

Online Community Gatherings with Gardena (2nd/4th Wednesdays)

All are welcome to join the Gardena Congregation’s regular (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) online community gatherings.

This is an open forum. We have an assigned facilitator, and they select a meaningful topic. Sometimes we simply have a prayer service. Sometimes we discuss current events. Topics discussed in the past include Gaza, housing, violence, responsible gun ownership, gardening, and more.

Usually the facilitator will share for about 15-25 minutes and then we talk about it.

JOIN VIA ZOOM

Weekly Prayer for Peace Live-Stream Details

The practice of praying for peace is a powerful witness of Community of Christ’s commitment to the pursuit of peace on and for the Earth.

Community of Christ’s Formation Ministries Team invites all to participate in the Prayer for Peace via live-stream on the church’s Facebook page and Youtube channel at 1:00 p.m. Central US Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific) each Wednesday. The weekly worship is also open to the public at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA.

 *   Join on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CofChrist
 *   Join on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CofChrist/streams

The Center for Living Water and Formation Ministries collaborate to make these events possible.

Additionally, resources for individuals, families, and worship leaders will be provided on https://cofchrist.org/daily-prayer-for-peace/. Users can explore additional materials to prepare a Prayer for Peace service, including scriptures of justice and peace, prayers for peace, and more. Prayer for Peace worship elements also will be available on HeraldHouse.org.

All staff are encouraged to add this weekly event to their calendars and participate in this important practice. Join us in this transformative journey as we come together in prayer for a peaceful world.

October 6-15 Historic Sites Bus Tour Information

The Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation is hitting the road once again on a church history tour this 6-15 October! Join Barb Walden and Peter Smith as they experience Community of Christ history through eight states and Canada. The “Drawn from the Nations of the World” tour will trace our faith community's roots as a global family exploring the history of early church members who were instrumental in Community of Christ's story and identity. The 10-day journey will take place 6-15 October starting in Independence, Missouri, USA, and finishing in Kirtland, Ohio, USA. To learn more about this tour and to reserve your seat on the bus, follow the link below.

Learn more

Weekly Monday Morning Coffee Group

Join us weekly on Mondays at 7:30 a.m. This is a great covenant and sacred group community - all are welcome! 

About this Group

This is a dynamic group meeting every week for laughter, learning, and love for each other. Please join us, all our welcome in this safe space, for sharing and spiritual growth.

JOIN US VIA ZOOM

Meeting ID: 870 5122 1903 
Passcode: 568336 

INPUT NEEDED: DRAFT Statement on Nonviolence

Draft Statement on Nonviolence

 

Since the 2019 World Conference, the church has explored nonviolence in response to WCR 1319, utilizing the alternative common-consent process.  At the 2023 World Conference, delegates addressed the question: Should the First Presidency continue to develop a statement on the role of nonviolence in the pursuit of “peace on and for the Earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 165:1d) and in the life and mission of the church?

Given the overwhelming support from delegates, the First Presidency has crafted a draft Statement on Nonviolence. The statement is presented to the church for feedback, with a deadline of 28 February 2025. 

Your input is important. Read statement here.

You are invited to provide feedback on the “Introduction,” “Statement on Nonviolence,” and “Further Context” sections. The survey is provided in English, French, and Spanish. Choose the language of your choice in the upper-right corner of the survey available here: https://forms.office.com/r/FQcZpPzchL

In March 2025, the First Presidency will review the feedback and update all three sections as necessary. The latest versions of the “Introduction,” “Statement on Nonviolence,” and “Further Context” will be distributed to the church by 1 May 2025.

The delegates of the 2025 World Conference will consider just the section titled, “Statement on Nonviolence” using elements of the alternative common-consent process. Plan to be part of this historic experience.

VIEW DRAFT STATEMENT