🌱 Seeds of Peace

Community of Christ Peace Forum

Vancouver Gathering

October 16-18, 2026

"Environmental Justice & Action"

You're Invited

Join us in Vancouver for a unique Canadian expression of the international Community of Christ Peace Forum.

While the global gathering takes place at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, our Vancouver site brings people together locally to experience this event through a blend of livestreamed sessions and in-person activities designed for our community.

Rather than simply watching an online event, we will gather, reflect, and act together in community.

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll be invited into meaningful experiences—exploring creation, practicing spiritual reflection, learning practical sustainability skills, and putting your faith into action.

Whether you attend for the full weekend or just a portion of it, you are welcome here.

🌎 This Year’s Focus

Environmental Justice & Action

Together, we’re invited to deepen our commitment to the Sacredness of Creation through three shared purposes:

🌱 Formation
Growing as disciples who care for creation in thoughtful and intentional ways.

🌎 Public Witness
Responding to environmental challenges through visible, meaningful action.

🤝 Community Building
Building relationships across generations and communities as we seek peace together.

🌲 A Vancouver Experience

“Gather. Reflect. Act.”

What makes the Vancouver gathering unique is the opportunity to engage this theme hands-on and in community. This is where this gathering becomes something we don’t just observe—but live out together.

Throughout the weekend, you will have opportunities to:
🍃 Experience inspiring keynote presentations streamed from the international gathering
🌲 Explore creation together through a guided visit to the Lynn Valley Temperate Rainforest
🕊 Practice mindfulness and spiritual reflection through guided awareness and meditation
🌎 Take meaningful action by participating in a community river cleanup
🧵 Learn practical sustainability skills during our "Sew It, Don't Throw It!" repair workshop
🎵 Build community through shared meals, music, conversation, and fellowship

📅 Your Weekend at a Glance

Each day blends livestreamed moments from the international Peace Forum with activities designed specifically for those gathering in Vancouver.

The rhythm of the weekend includes reflection, learning, conversation, and opportunities to take meaningful action.

Friday • October 16

1:00 PM
🌲 Meet at Community of Christ Vancouver
Carpool to Lynn Valley Temperate Rainforest

4:00 PM
🕊 Guided Relaxation (and gentle stretch): Rest and Come Home to Mother Earth

6:00 PM
🍽 Dinner (by donation)

Evening
📺 Opening Session and International Peace Award Presentation (livestream)

Saturday • October 17

Morning
🧘 Guided Meditation: Breathing the Earth
📺 Selected sessions from the International Gathering

12:00 PM
🍽 Lunch (by donation)

1:30 PM
💬 Online Canada-wide Young Adult Conversation
"What does it mean to be a Peace Church?"

2:30 PM
🧵 Sew It, Don’t Throw It!

Learn practical clothing repair skills:

• Replace buttons
• Mend tears
• Repair sweater holes
• Explore visible mending
• Learn simple sewing techniques
• Limited hemming available

Help extend the life of well-loved clothing and reduce waste.

Evening
🍽 Dinner (by donation)
🎵 Songs to Bless and Heal the Earth

We’re also grateful to welcome international guests who will share their experiences, perspectives, and passions with us on Saturday. Scheduled times coming soon. Scroll down to see bio's and more.

Sunday • October 18

Morning
🧘 Loving Kindness Meditation: For All Creation
📺 Closing Worship (livestream)

12:00 PM
🍽 Lunch (by donation)

Afternoon
🌊 Community River Cleanup

Put the weekend’s theme into action by caring for our local environment together.

🍽 Meals

Lunches and dinners throughout the weekend are available by donation.

Sharing meals is an important part of the weekend experience—creating space for conversation, connection, and community.

📍 Location

Community of Christ Vancouver
3333 Kaslo Street
Vancouver, BC

🏨 Accommodation Options

Hotel group rates are available for Peace Forum participants travelling from outside the Lower Mainland. We encourage you to book early, as availability is limited. Rooms are available at group rates from October 14–21 and may be extended based on availability. If the booking deadline has passed, you may still be eligible for the group rate, subject to room availability. Please contact the hotel directly to check availability and confirm whether the group rate can still be honored.

Please note: cancellations require at least 7 days’ notice to avoid charges.

Accent Inns
3777 Henning Drive
From $208 per night
Includes free Wi-Fi (breakfast not included)

To book:
Phone: 1-800-663-0298
Email: group@accentinns.com
Group Name: Community of Christ Peace Forum

Booking deadline: September 13, 2026

Executive Suites Metro Vancouver
4201 Lougheed Highway
From $230 per night
Includes free Wi-Fi (breakfast not included)

To book:
Phone: 604-298-2010 (24/7 Reservations)
Email: reservationsb@executivehotels.net
Booking ID: #35758

Booking deadline: September 13, 2026

Holiday Inn Express Metrotown
4405 Central Boulevard
From $300 per night
Includes hot buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking

To book:
Phone: 778-945-9747
Group Name: Community of Christ Peace Forum

Booking deadline: August 23, 2026

🌱 We Hope You’ll Join Us

Seeds of peace are planted through simple acts of presence, learning, service, relationship, and hope.

Join us in Vancouver as we gather alongside others across the world to explore how caring for creation can become a faithful expression of Christ’s peace in our communities.

Whether you attend one activity or the entire weekend, we look forward to welcoming you.

Please note: Schedule details are subject to change as additional activities and livestream timing are confirmed.

🎤 Presenter Spotlight

We’re grateful to welcome guest presenters who will share their insights, experience, and passion as part of our shared journey of learning, reflection, and action.

Stopping the Negative Thinking that Stops Us
Presented by Christian Skoorsmith

Negative thinking, discouragement, doubt, insecurity, worry, self-sabotage, and so on, can become deeply habitual. It can stop us in our tracks, demotivate us, and discourage us from risking something new, making a difference, or taking meaningful action.

While this way of thinking can feel automatic, it is not what God holds up as possible for us.

In this one-hour session, you’ll learn how to identify and interrupt automatic negative thinking. You’ll leave with practical strategies and actionable steps to transform these patterns and free up emotional energy for what matters most.

Christian Skoorsmith, PsyD(c), is an award-winning, double-board certified hypnotherapist based in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of seven books and an internationally sought-after speaker on consciousness, motivation, and meaning.

Website: www.skoorsmith.com