“As we, as a Church, move forward there are so many new avenues opening up to us”
– Vivian Beeching, Etobicoke, Ontario
My name is Vivian Beeching and I live in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. I have been involved with Community of Christ all of my life. My grandparents were converts with a wonderful testimony, and after my parents were married, my father joined the church too. (My dad used to say he was “loved into the church.”) Our whole family, including my brother and I, were active in the Bathurst Street (Toronto) Congregation as we grew up. At that time the membership was around 300 people. God has been, and is, so generous to me and I have felt blessed all of my life.
This is not to say that life has always been easy; it has not, but the Lord has been with me and helped me along the way. I am truly humbled by His generosity to me, and I am very thankful for all of the opportunities that He has given me. I must say though, to my shame, I have not always been the servant I should be, but He continues to give me possibilities to serve anyway. I am indeed blessed.
Many years ago, I was involved with a young man, and I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him, but a number of years into our relationship he “came out.” This, needless to say, threw our lives together into turmoil. I certainly could have become very bitter, but as I continued to pray about this situation, the Lord made me aware that I had choices. I could withdraw from life and be angry and resentful, or I could learn more about this “new” life situation and deal with it (keep in mind that this was a number of years ago and this lifestyle was only mentioned in very hushed conversations). I chose the latter. I have learned so much, not only about those who live this lifestyle, but also about myself, and who I am, and that I could still care for my friend and the new friends I was making. I could still love him, but in a different way, and to this day we are still the best of friends and I am so grateful for this.
My Heavenly Father has been with me and supported me through a number of health concerns: fractured back, two cancer surgeries, knee replacements, and now as I continue to deal with a severe breathing problem. Through all of this, I have had no doubt at all that the Lord was with me, and that whatever happened I would be alright. I praise his Holy name and I am so grateful that I am able to continue in His service.
More recently I have been involved with a new and growing congregation, sharing as Co-Pastor. Our name expresses who we are and what we want to do: “Reaching Out.” It has been a rather bumpy road, even challenging at times, but the congregation is faithful to “What Matters Most” and is determined to let nothing get in the way of this important mission.
I want to thank God that we have the technology we have these days. We are able to keep in touch and see each other when meeting on Zoom, and I know there are other technologies that help us keep in touch as well. We are learning more about how we can serve and minister even when we can’t be physically together. Our God is wonderful to have given us ways to share communion together, to be able to offer a form of administration to those in need, to ordain new members to the priesthood and so on. Life can be challenging but I think this gives us pause to use our creativity in new and wonderful ways as we continue to be His disciples.
As we as a Church move forward there are so many new avenues opening up to us, we cannot be involved in everything, but we must choose those areas of service that fit our giftedness and pursue them whole-heartedly.
This is not to say that life has always been easy; it has not, but the Lord has been with me and helped me along the way. I am truly humbled by His generosity to me, and I am very thankful for all of the opportunities that He has given me. I must say though, to my shame, I have not always been the servant I should be, but He continues to give me possibilities to serve anyway. I am indeed blessed.
Many years ago, I was involved with a young man, and I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him, but a number of years into our relationship he “came out.” This, needless to say, threw our lives together into turmoil. I certainly could have become very bitter, but as I continued to pray about this situation, the Lord made me aware that I had choices. I could withdraw from life and be angry and resentful, or I could learn more about this “new” life situation and deal with it (keep in mind that this was a number of years ago and this lifestyle was only mentioned in very hushed conversations). I chose the latter. I have learned so much, not only about those who live this lifestyle, but also about myself, and who I am, and that I could still care for my friend and the new friends I was making. I could still love him, but in a different way, and to this day we are still the best of friends and I am so grateful for this.
My Heavenly Father has been with me and supported me through a number of health concerns: fractured back, two cancer surgeries, knee replacements, and now as I continue to deal with a severe breathing problem. Through all of this, I have had no doubt at all that the Lord was with me, and that whatever happened I would be alright. I praise his Holy name and I am so grateful that I am able to continue in His service.
More recently I have been involved with a new and growing congregation, sharing as Co-Pastor. Our name expresses who we are and what we want to do: “Reaching Out.” It has been a rather bumpy road, even challenging at times, but the congregation is faithful to “What Matters Most” and is determined to let nothing get in the way of this important mission.
I want to thank God that we have the technology we have these days. We are able to keep in touch and see each other when meeting on Zoom, and I know there are other technologies that help us keep in touch as well. We are learning more about how we can serve and minister even when we can’t be physically together. Our God is wonderful to have given us ways to share communion together, to be able to offer a form of administration to those in need, to ordain new members to the priesthood and so on. Life can be challenging but I think this gives us pause to use our creativity in new and wonderful ways as we continue to be His disciples.
As we as a Church move forward there are so many new avenues opening up to us, we cannot be involved in everything, but we must choose those areas of service that fit our giftedness and pursue them whole-heartedly.
