Sudden passing of Australia Mission President John Taylor

Friends,

It is with shock and deep sadness that we inform you of the death of our colleague, minister, and friend, John Taylor. John collapsed yesterday while at a beach in Queensland following a day of fellowship with church members at the Brisbane congregation. Despite the best efforts of lifeguards and trained medical professionals, who came to his immediate aid, he was not able to be revived.

Dedicated as ever to the church, John had been visiting Queensland in his role as Australia Mission Centre President.

A scholar of law and the scriptures, and a faithful servant, John, along with his wife Janine, has been involved in church life in many capacities, in more recent years leading the congregation at Drummoyne as Pastor and Financial Officer. John was sustained in the role of Australia Mission Centre President in July 2022 and since this time the Australia-wide church has indeed been blessed by his considered and thoughtful pastoral ministry. His theological mind and knowledge of church history was renowned across the Australia church.

We will miss our friend dearly and our thoughts are with all of John's friends and family as we journey together in this grief. Janine is at this time with her parents Bob and Merle Wood in Adelaide

Please uphold Janine and their children, Hannah and Colin and their partners, particularly at this time in your prayers.

2023 Victoria Family Camp - A Connected Community

Register now and join us at Kallara in March:

Date: March 10-13 - Begins with an informal supper on the Friday night, first main activity on the Saturday morning at 9am-ish. Finishing activity will be a closing gathering at 10am on Monday morning.
Theme: A Connected Community
Reg cost: $160/adult, $30/teen, 12 and under free.
Day rate: $30/day/adult


Guest ministry: Kristie Woodward, Kass Unger
Camp Director: Ben Smith & team

Australia National Conference

The Australia National Conference  will be held on (note the new date) 9th -11th June 2023 at Colloroy, NSW. Don't forget to plan to attend and let us know of your interest in attending.  You can register your interest to attend by emailing enquiries@cofchrist.com.au. Perhaps there are people you would like to invite? This year we are combining the previously named National Gathering and Mission Conference into one event. Further info to come soon.

Prioritisation of resolutions - 2023 World Conference

All Mission Centres have been asked to provide input to help the Presidency prioritise the proposed legislation for the 2023 World Conference.

 

Your input is requested; feedback is being gathered through this survey:

https://forms.office.com/r/CfDCNYd3qu

 

Everyone is invited to participate; you do not need to be an elected delegate.

Please complete the survey only once. Responses requested by January 31st.

View the World Conference documents here: https://cofchrist.org/world-conference-documents/

Special Mission Centre Conference - Save the Date 12th of February 2023

The purpose of this conference is to approve a list of nominated delegates and alternates for the 2023 World Conference.

More details will be shared ahead of the conference. Make sure you are registered as a delegate to vote, or if you would like to be a delegate at the 2023 World Conference please email eespinosa@cofchrist.com.au or call the office on 02 9871 7400. Read more here.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/292634084

Read the Conference Document here

When: Sunday 12th of February 2023, 11am AEDT (Worship followed by the Legislative Meeting)

What: A special AWOL service followed by conference voting.

Where: at West Pennant Hills Congregation (in-person), as well as online.

Upcoming Resolutions & Call for Delegates for 2023 World Conference

Here is a link to upcoming Resolutions for your consideration:

Upcoming Resolutions

2023 World Conference will run 22-28 April 2023 in Independence, Missouri USA. The Conference theme is ‘Courage’ 2023 World Conference

 

World Conference Delegates

If you are planning to attend World Conference and would like to be on the delegate/alternate list please advise Emma Espinosa on 02 9871 7400, 1300 889 855 or eespinosa@cofchrist.com.au by 31st of January 2023

As upheld at the 2021 Special Mission Centre Conference this delegate list will be review and approved by the church body in Australia. Thus, please;

SAVE THE DATE & NOMINATE DELEGATES FOR Special Mission Centre Conference (SMCC) on Sunday the 12th of February 2023 at 11am AEDT

This will be a hybrid event, held in person at West Pennant Hills, as well as online. Starting at 11am AEDT with a special AWOL service, the purpose of this conference would be to approve a list of nominated delegates and alternates for the 2023 World Conference.

  • Congregation delegates will need to be elected at a congregational business meeting this is for the purposes of credential validation in the process of voting on motion put to the conference. i.e. only delegates will be able to vote on the motion at the conference. Please register here: https://form.jotform.com/receptioncofchrist/delegateforvoting

  • Ex-officio delegates do not need to be nominated by a congregation or body – they can advise their attendance at the conference and participate in voting on the back of the office or role they hold. Please register here: https://form.jotform.com/receptioncofchrist/delegateforvoting

The following are authorised as Ex-officio delegates: Pastors, World Church Ministers, Ministerial employees of the Australia Mission, Mission Centre Recorder, Mission Centre Historian, Mission Presidency, Mission Centre Bishopric, Mission members of the Mission Centre Council, Board members of Saints Care Ltd, and Community of Christ Ltd, members of the Australia Investment Committee, members of the Australia Earth Stewardship Team, members of the Kallara Conference Centre and Tiona Management Committee, and Staff.

 

THIS SUNDAY! 11am EDT (**note the time change**)

Join us for AWOL:

This Sunday we welcome Peter Lonsdale to speak at our communion service.

Peter is Pastor of Community of Christ Perth congregation. He retired in 2021 after 32 years working in the State Government Housing Department delivering a range of housing programs to key workers, people with disabilities, those at risk of homelessness and remote Aboriginal communities.

Peter will be sharing in this time of uncertainty and disruption, where do you see God working?


LINK TO SERVICE

 

The Way Forward: Watch today!

President Steve Veazey continues The Way Forward video series with “Decentralization and Flexibility” and “Disruptive Trends as Challenges and Opportunities.”  Watch today!  

 

The Way Forward: Decentralization and Flexibility 

The World Conference will consider church bylaw amendments for decentralization and flexibility--where and as needed. We must gain degrees of decentralization for the right reasons while strengthening what binds us together as a worldwide movement. 

 

Being a worldwide community in Christ is a distinctive element of our identity. We are specifically called to show the world what peaceful community in Christ across human boundaries and cultures is like. 

 

The Way Forward: Disruptive Trends as Challenges and Opportunities 

There are trends affecting the church in more affluent nations where the church has its longest history. We truly are living in a new world that requires new forms of ministry. Simply doing what is familiar and hoping for the best will not suffice.  

 

But there is opportunity! Amid shifts from formal church involvement, people continue to search for authentic spiritual connections with God, others, and creation.  

 

Community of Christ has been gifted for such a time as this! We must not miss this opportunity. 

 

Watch previous videos in this series on our YouTube channel.  

The Way Forward: Introduction 

The Way Forward: Poverty Traps 

The Way Forward: God’s Kind of Justice 

The Way Forward: 2023 World Conference 

The Way Forward:  What About Finances?