Community of Christ - Michigan Mission Center

06/06/2026

Courageous compassion, prophetic witness, and faithful engagement in a hurting world are all a part of being a disciple of Jesus, the Peaceful One. Join Blake Smith and Linda Stanbridge in a conversation that explores difficult questions surrounding advocacy, empathy, media attention, and the call to stand with vulnerable communities while affirming the worth and dignity of all people. Grounded in Christian discipleship and peacemaking, the discussion offers practical ways to move beyond awareness toward meaningful action.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app or on our site: https://www.faithunfilteredpodcast.org/grounds-for-peace-a-letter-to-the-michigan-mission-center/

06/03/2026

It's always Pride Month in the Michigan Mission Center! We are proud to highlight our 12 congregations who have completed a program to become intentionally welcoming to and more educated about the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

In 2013, Community of Christ in the United States voted to approve same-sex marriage and ordination of people in same-sex relationships. Some congregations have entered into an intentional process with our partner organization, Harmony - Advocacy, Education, Resources to become an official Welcoming and Affirming Congregation.

Thank you to each of the congregations who have completed this program with Harmony:

Bay City
Beyond the Horizon (online)
Big Rapids
Blue Water
Capital Area
East Lansing
Kalamazoo
Mt. Pleasant
Riverview
Spiral – A Space of Welcome
Waterford
West Branch

Learn more about our commitment to inclusion by visiting our website: https://cofchristmi.org/inclusivity/

05/31/2026

🕊️One who breathes peace, you promised us the Holy Spirit, and today we celebrate its presence among us in this very place! Thank you for this Helper, whose closeness we sometimes see, sometimes feel, but always know.

As winds signal the change of seasons,
as fire warms the cold,
as breezes carry butterflies on their migration,
as embers hold the hope of renewal,
inspire us to bring peace wherever it is needed.

As peace flows in every language, open our eyes to the small corners in need of peace. Open our arms to hold another, quiet our voices to listen in the commotion, and strengthen our shoulders for the hard work ahead.

In the gentle and just name of Jesus, Amen.🙏

05/27/2026

In early May, Linda Stanbridge (MCP) and Angel Foster (Mt. Pleasant) traveled to the Churches for Middle East Peace Joint Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. In this new episode of Faith Unfiltered Podcast, Angel, Linda, and two other Community of Christ attendees, Steve and Bob, share their experiences at the conference, visiting with their legislators, and their perspectives on current advocacy opportunities for Palestine.

You can listen to that episode here:
https://www.faithunfilteredpodcast.org/838-grounds-for-peace-cmep-advocacy-summit-26/

To learn more about the crisis in Gaza and how to faithfully discuss this concern, please check out resources made available by the Michigan Mission Center (Repost from March):
https://cofchristmi.org/2026/03/06/crisis-in-gaza-resources-for-engagement/

We are sharing these resources as part of a broader effort to engage with current events where they intersect with our enduring principles, especially worth of all persons. Further episodes in a series about the genocide in Gaza and conflict across the middle east are forthcoming and will be shared when available.

For more information
-See the World Church’s Peace and Justice Team statement on Gaza, which can be found here: https://cofchrist.org/news/excerpt-of-statement-on-gaza/.
-See the link letter from Churches for Middle East Peace addressing the war in Gaza which the church signed. (https://cmep.org/july-2024-global-bishops-letter/)

05/27/2026

Check out these great photos from last year's K-2 Youth and Adult Overnight camp at Sanford Campground! We're so excited for this year's upcoming camps and we hope you'll join us for a one-day camp for kindergarteners-second grade!

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What is the K-2 Youth and Adult Overnight Camp?

This camp is designed for our youngest campers (kindergarten through second grade and their family) with the hope of introducing them to their first camping experience. This one-night camp allows parents and campers to make memories, play games, and meet new camp friends!

Campers and their adult guardian share together in a typical day at camp, take classes, and spend one night at camp. This allows campers to build confidence and excitement about summer camp!

Bring a kid in your life to come and experience camp for the first time!

https://michiganyouthcamps.org/k-2-camper-adult-overnight-camp/

June 6-7, 2026 | Director: Tammy Morford
Sanford Campground, 3500 N West River Rd, Sanford, MI 48657

August 21-22, 2026 | Director: Nancy McClellan
Blue Water Campground, 7291 County Farm Rd, Lexington, MI 48450

September 19-20, 2026 | Director: Grace King, Kimberly King
Park of the Pines, 4094 Springwater Beach Rd, Boyne City, MI 49712

05/23/2026

Experience a moment of peace with "Not Alone," a short guided meditation and original poem for Pentecost.

“Not Alone" was written and narrated by Chizaso Chunga and produced at Community of Christ's International Resource Summit 2026 in the Philippines. This short spiritual practice invites you to pause, breathe, and remember that you are never alone.

Use this meditation in worship, small groups, or your personal devotional time.

Experience a moment of peace with "Not Alone," a short guided meditation and original poem for Pentecost.“Not Alone" was written and narrated by Chizaso Chun...

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

It finally feels like summer in Michigan - that means it's time to register for camps! Camp directors are planning special experiences for campers this summer and we don't want you to miss out!

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In order to plan for food, staffing, and activity supplies, we need to know our camp numbers soon. The initial registration deadline for youth camps is June 1, 2026 and will be at the discretion of the directors after that date based on available staff.

Register now for youth and family camps at www.michiganyouthcamps.org. We can't wait to see you!

05/12/2026

Young Adults Documentary Club

What if "more" isn't the answer?

The Mission Development Team Young Adults (ages 18–35) DocuClub is exploring bigger questions about money, meaning, and the world we're shaping together. Watch Buy Now (Netflix) on your own, then join a relaxed online conversation about scarcity and abundance, economic justice, and what it means to live with enough.

The first session begins Monday, 12 May 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CDT USA.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WNn0xe1zQK-zYSUkG5U9UQ #/registration

05/12/2026

SPEC Registration Open!

Looking for a meaningful summer experience? Please register anytime until July 3. Spectacular is a Christ-centered week where high school students grow in faith, build real friendships, and discover their gifts through worship, arts, sports, and community.

Located at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa
For those entering 10th Grade – Graduating Seniors
Learn more and register: speccofchrist.wordpress.com/register/

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Costs to send a camper to SPECTACULAR with the Michigan Delegation will be $550 per camper for 2026. This amount includes the $425 SPEC registration fee (room, board, activities) and the $125 delegation fee (shirts, transportation, equipment).

Families can access financial aid toward the cost of SPEC registration by applying for a scholarship from the Disciple Development Fund for up to $500. If your congregation will be making contributions toward the cost of SPEC, please let us know and we will coordinate payment with your congregation. Families can make payments toward the registration fees using the mission center's donation portal, no account is required.

We are glad to accept donations toward the Michigan SPEC delegation via e-tithing, but registration fees should not be paid through e-tithing and must be made by check or through the mission center website. If you need additional financial support or have questions, please contact Jessica Montague at [email protected].