National Assembly Bulletin #2
| We, as Christian Life Community, have adapted, adjusted, and changed to meet significant challenges over the last five years. The pandemic impelled us to use technology to connect and work together. Collaborative relationships and mission capacities have been enriched and strengthened through discerning and rich spiritual conversations, The gifts and graces of the Amiens Assembly invite us to build and be pathways of hope integrating what Christian Life Community has learned and experienced. The National Assembly team is working towards a national communal discernment process that will engage all members over the months ahead. Together we are continuing to move beyond our comfort zones, leaning on one another and trusting in the Holy Spirit to lead us forward.In our last bulletin, we mentioned regional proportional representation. What will that look like for the National Assembly? Delegates from 50% of our communities across Canada will attend the NA. That means 5 delegates from the BC/Rockies Region, 3 from Prairies, 4 from Central, and 5 from Atlantic. With fewer members travelling, our environmental impact will be reduced.There will be a discernment process in each region to listen for God’s call for CLC in Canada. To begin this process, members of the National Assembly WG would like to meet with regional leadership teams and interested members in February and share rounds of spiritual conversation on proportional representation. Our hope is to move forward together in a spirit of Ignatian mutuality. We will be in touch with regional teams soon.We suggest members and communities begin to save money to financially support our National Assembly 2024. In our next bulletin, we will explain the costs for the 2024 NA and how they will be shared across our membership. In your community, you might begin to talk about fund raising. A list of some fundraising ideas is attached. Peace and joy,General Council and National Assembly Team Sandy Mudge, Marilou Gonzales, Pacifica Virzi, Brook Stacey SJ, Leanne Salel, Karen Reeves, LynoreMcLean, Mark Wan, Magee McGuire, Fr. Charles Pottie, Ruth Chipman, Jane Abernethy-Parker Here are a few fund-raising ideas that have been used in the past: – hold special ‘Cake’ Auctions – plan walks and pilgrimages – hold ‘Donut Sunday’ at church – have pancake breakfasts – host ‘Fine Dining’ dinners – Movie Nights with popcorn (could be a movie of St. Ignatius) – Community Music concerts – offer Retreats – Dinner Dances – collect money at each meeting – host yard / garage / community sale – bottle drives – host BBQs – sell used clothes at a consignment store – 50/50 draws and raffles |