In November 2014 about 170 people from across Canada (and beyond!) gathered in Mississauga, Ont. to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their denominations and organizations working together in the name of Christ—to further the unity of the Church, and benefit all Canadians and the world.
This assembly—gathering together all the bodies within the CCC for the first time in seventeen years—looked to the future of Canadian ecumenism. Participants listened to voices of ecumenists young and old on where Canadian church co-operation has been, and where it’s going; they reflected on their history with Canada’s Indigenous peoples; they weathered an unexpected blizzard while improvising a chapel service; and they spent time in conversation and fellowship—building bonds while envisioning how Canadian ecumenism can grow.
Canada’s churches have a long and deep history of cooperation. Together they will continue to seek and serve God’s will in the decades to come.
Check out pictures from the CCC’s 70th Anniversary Assembly on Facebook.
Scroll through the history of our Assembly hashtag, #CCC70, on Twitter.
Some addresses, reflections, homilies shared at the assembly:
Norman Lévesque’s inspired and science-fictional ‘Ecumenism in 2044’ reflection from our impromptu Wednesday night service at Queen of the Apostles in both English (as presented) et en français.
Remarks by Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches from the Thursday morning panel discussion (Acting for Tomorrow I).
Jennifer Henry’s remarks from the Thursday morning panel.
The Very Rev. Marion Pardy’s reflection from Thursday afternoon’s panel presentation on the future of ecumenism in Canada.
Fr. Cyprian Hutcheon’s homily from our Friday morning chapel service celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vatican’s decree on ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio.
Archdeacon Bruce Myers’ vendredi matin lecture de l’épître de Paul aux Éphésiens (en français seulement).
The Rev. Stephen Kendall’s Friday morning chapel reflection..
Bishop Fabbro’s homily notes from Friday morning’s chapel service.
And finally, a brief anecdote from Dr. Mary Jo Leddy, whose organization, Romero House, received a cake originally meant for our Wednesday night public event:
“A funny story about the [CCC anniversary] cake — which someone so kindly dropped off on Friday to Romero House. It was gorgeous with big red flowers and ‘Happy 70th Anniversary CCC’ on it. So anyway Friday night we had a birthday party for a young woman from Eritrea (one of those who survived the Mediterranean boat journey); we celebrated the acceptance of a Mongolian couple with two little boys, and the moving of a Colombian couple who had been with us for over a year. So we brought the cake over after we excised the 70th and the CCC so it read ‘Happy Anniversary’ a cake for all occasions!!”