“The power of invitation and hospitality have been the cornerstone of my experiences with Community of Christ”
– Catherine Manson, Innisfil, Ontario
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Topics:
Invite People to Christ | Church Camp (Reunion) | junior high camp | children’s camp | Noronto | Canada National Conference | LGBTQ+ | Sacraments | baptism | confirmation | World Conference | Community Place+ | Creating Connection | Connection Retreats |
Hi, my name is Catherine Manson from the Barrie Community of Christ — one hour north of Toronto. I was invited to participate in this project. My experiences with Community of Christ involve Invitation. I was an invitee to a Reunion experience way back in 2004. My children were first invited to attend Junior High, Kids camp, and Reunion and finally it was “mum” you have to come to Reunion! The power of invitation and hospitality have been the cornerstone of my experiences with Community of Christ. It was a pleasure to return to Reunion each year. Also, I cannot sing well, and it was important for me to connect with the glorious music each year on my return to Noronto.
The local congregation in Barrie had been closed, and Reunion was my only experience with Community of Christ at the time. Every summer I would mention the need for a Barrie congregation. Canada East Mission Centre (CEM) listened and in 2011, the Barrie Congregation began again. In 2012 I was invited to my first “National Conference” through a Zoom style meeting on the vote for the admittance of our LBGQT members to become priesthood members. I was assigned the role of secretary as I was not a voting member — I had not yet been baptized. I was raised Catholic, and I was already baptized. Why did I need to be baptized again? My struggle was with the notion I had to be re-baptized again (and by the way it involved full immersion in a cold lake, and I was barely able to swim). It was also a time Community of Christ was introducing the review of the sacraments. August 2012, both my son and I made the decision to be baptized.
The original invitation from my sister-in-law to invite my family to camps and Reunions has led to further invitations and experiences with Community of Christ. I have become a priesthood member, been to two World Conferences and continue to receive the support of my church during various family struggles. My new skill — learning to preside for a worship service in person or by Zoom where I continue to invite others to participate in the worship experience with me.
Looking into the future, I would like to see us as a Canada Mission with a stronger identity. So many congregations have had to close due to diminishing funds and numbers. I have been amazed that we have been at the forefront of digital technology, and I hope we continue to use the technology looking forward to strengthen this identity and method of invitation.
We need to continue our mission as people of invitation following in Christ’s footsteps. We need a stronger social justice presence within our communities. However, we need a shorter 1-line statement that we can use to identify ourselves when we outreach.
I have appreciated the ongoing discussions around Sacraments and ensuring all are invited to the table. This conversation needs to continue. The discussion with new members needs to be open, transparent, and less bureaucratic. Voting membership should not need to rely on baptism and confirmation! Sacraments are separate, special and one’s connection with God and our Christ.
We need to protect our camping programs be it summer Reunions, weekend retreats, Community Place+, or Creating Connection. With Covid hitting hard and isolating us — we must make a commitment to support our campsites and the necessary insurance costs. Our Reunions and our retreats make us unique and give us ongoing identity as well — a place of hospitality and invitation.
So, my passion going forward: identify us as Canada Community of Christ with an ongoing mission of Invitation; service to any in need; and most of all walking in Christ’s footsteps. Continue to lead by example!
The local congregation in Barrie had been closed, and Reunion was my only experience with Community of Christ at the time. Every summer I would mention the need for a Barrie congregation. Canada East Mission Centre (CEM) listened and in 2011, the Barrie Congregation began again. In 2012 I was invited to my first “National Conference” through a Zoom style meeting on the vote for the admittance of our LBGQT members to become priesthood members. I was assigned the role of secretary as I was not a voting member — I had not yet been baptized. I was raised Catholic, and I was already baptized. Why did I need to be baptized again? My struggle was with the notion I had to be re-baptized again (and by the way it involved full immersion in a cold lake, and I was barely able to swim). It was also a time Community of Christ was introducing the review of the sacraments. August 2012, both my son and I made the decision to be baptized.
The original invitation from my sister-in-law to invite my family to camps and Reunions has led to further invitations and experiences with Community of Christ. I have become a priesthood member, been to two World Conferences and continue to receive the support of my church during various family struggles. My new skill — learning to preside for a worship service in person or by Zoom where I continue to invite others to participate in the worship experience with me.
Looking into the future, I would like to see us as a Canada Mission with a stronger identity. So many congregations have had to close due to diminishing funds and numbers. I have been amazed that we have been at the forefront of digital technology, and I hope we continue to use the technology looking forward to strengthen this identity and method of invitation.
We need to continue our mission as people of invitation following in Christ’s footsteps. We need a stronger social justice presence within our communities. However, we need a shorter 1-line statement that we can use to identify ourselves when we outreach.
I have appreciated the ongoing discussions around Sacraments and ensuring all are invited to the table. This conversation needs to continue. The discussion with new members needs to be open, transparent, and less bureaucratic. Voting membership should not need to rely on baptism and confirmation! Sacraments are separate, special and one’s connection with God and our Christ.
We need to protect our camping programs be it summer Reunions, weekend retreats, Community Place+, or Creating Connection. With Covid hitting hard and isolating us — we must make a commitment to support our campsites and the necessary insurance costs. Our Reunions and our retreats make us unique and give us ongoing identity as well — a place of hospitality and invitation.
So, my passion going forward: identify us as Canada Community of Christ with an ongoing mission of Invitation; service to any in need; and most of all walking in Christ’s footsteps. Continue to lead by example!
