Online Bulletin
ART SHOW and SYMPOSIUM – A CREATURE CHRONICLE: April 22 - May 21, 2022. This art installation, created by artist Betty Spackman, former art instructor at TWU and Redeemer University, and hosted at Swallowfield Farm (J and D DeGroot) encourages visitors to ask questions of themselves and each other about what it is to be human. Deliberately handmade and personal, the agenda of the exhibition and the symposium is not to prove points but to open up different perspectives in order to see ourselves better and inspire true dialogue. “It specifically addresses the Christian faith, “ says Spackman, “as this is the only tradition I can legitimately critique, and also one that has held perceived and real tensions with science. I hope this installation might increase curiosity, challenge complacency, and cause us all to celebrate creation in all its forms with wonder.” A CREATURE CHRONICLE is a 15-panel double-sided circular installation approx. 24 ft. in diameter and 8 ft. high. The symposium includes weekly lectures, presentations, talks and performances by guests from around the world. Click here for more information.
Willoughby Church Refugee Update: The Refugee Sponsorship Team continues to be grateful for your financial support (this month's special offering) for the families we have sponsored. Your support makes it possible for us to meet our monthly budgeted commitment which covers rent, food, hydro, phone, internet, and transportation. As we are currently helping two small families settle, and awaiting another family of six, our immediate financial need is higher than usual. We are grateful for your partnership in welcoming and supporting these newcomers through their first year in Canada. We are also currently looking for any leads on a good, used vehicle for one of our families. We are also seeking a 3 or 4 bedroom/ 2 bathroom house or large suite for our newest family, preferably close to downtown Langley. (We are hoping the family arrives within the next month or so). Please email Evelyn Bouwman (bouplumb@telus.net) or Peter Roukema (phroukema@gmail.com) if you have any leads on either the car or the house/suite. Thank you in advance!
Boarder Request: Grace is a 22 year old student from Iowa and is taking a 3 month internship at Cornwall Ridge Equestrian Barn in Langley. She needs a place to stay for the 3 month internship, starting on May 20th. She is studying for an equine management degree at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. She comes from a Christian family and her father is the hospital chaplain at the Iowa City Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He has been a Christian pastor for 36 years and the family's hope is for her to boarder with a Christian family while she is here. Please contact Grace at grhal353@gmail.com if you are able to help secure living arragements for her this summer.
Free CRC Leadership Training Course - Register now to take the new Thriving Essentials virtual training in April at no cost (limit 25 persons). The two, 2-hour-long Zoom sessions on April 18 and 25 can help get all church leaders on the same page concerning the key concepts of Mission, Discipleship, Discernment, and Leadership. Take the class for yourself, then decide if attendance would benefit your core church leadership. Website: crcna.org/Thrive
April 14, 2022: Free Webinar Event - Join the CRC Office of Race Relations at noon (EDT) on Thursday, April 14, for an engaging panel discussion on “How a Workshop Can Help to Heal Historical Racism.” Together we will learn about how one workshop brought about healing after the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, and how it is helping to heal racial trauma in North America today. Find more info online: crcna.org/Race/Events
Discerning God’s Will Together: is it even possible? - Monday, April 11, 7:00-8:45PM - Through this workshop, participants will be introduced to a clear but rich process of Biblical discernment outlined in Ruth Haley Barton’s book Pursuing God’s Will Together. Participants will also engage Barton’s challenging thesis that a “conversion” of sorts is needed if church leadership teams hope to make decisions with the confidence & joy expressed by the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Register here
Cascade Christian Counselling E-Newsletter – Please find the link to our latest Spring 2022 E-Newsletter with articles that offer suggestions on how one can manage the stresses and anxiety that might surface from the series of challenging events happening to us on a local and global scale. Our counselors have shared some tools on how one can ensure self-care in these times.
Thank You from World Renew - Thank you for extending God’s love to our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who have had to flee their homes because of conflict, persecution, or natural disaster. World Renew is grateful for your support that makes it possible for sponsorship groups to receive the support they need to assist refugee families to rebuild their lives in Canada. If you would like to learn more about how World Renew is answering God’s call for justice and mercy in our world, please visit: worldrenew.ca
CRC NEWS:
Exploring Healthy Dialogue on Diverse Issues: The Pastor Professor Exchange at Redeemer University will look at ways to engage people with differences. Click here for the full article.
The Pandemic Shake Up: Church, I’m begging you to ask this one question. Click here for the full article.
Family Fire - Family Fire is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting, in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire community on Facebook.
Groundwork: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - Examining the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in each of the four gospels reveals a beautiful tapestry of perspectives. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Matthew 27:45-53, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:13-25, and John 19:28-37 to witness the fulfillment of Scripture and remember the significance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
At-home Faith Practices Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Celebrating: Read John 2:1-11 and ponder or discuss the following questions. Can you picture Jesus celebrating and being joyful just as easily as you can picture Jesus preaching and being serious? Why or why not? How might we invite Jesus to be at the center of significant celebrations today? (For more on faith practices from Faith Formation Ministries, visit bit.ly/FaithPracticesProject)
Get Inspired This Summer - Join us August 4-6 in Tinley Park, near Chicago for Inspire 2022. Be refreshed by three days of speakers, worship, workshops, prayer, and fellowship with CRC members from across the continent. Register now for the early bird rate, and gather five or more from one church to get the group rate! Learn more at crcna.org/inspire
Job Postings:
Now Hiring: SUMMER DAY CAMPS WORKERS (ABBOTSFORD, BC) – Bethesda. Bethesda’s summer day camp offers a world of possibility and inclusion for school-age youth with diverse abilities. Between 8 and 18 youth and families receive support from July through August. Each child is encouraged to develop their full abilities as they participate in interesting and fun activities and form long-lasting friendships. No previous experience is needed as you will receive training and be supported throughout. Five positions ranging from 30 to 35 hours/week are available from June 20 through August 26. $18.27 – $19.27/hr. You will be supervised and supported by the summer camp leadership staff. Eligible applicants must be between 19 and 30 years, hold a Class 5 driver’s license and be willing to obtain an unrestricted Class 4 license by date of hire. *Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19*. Interested applicants may apply online at https://bethesdabc.com/careers or submit a resume, cover letter, and references to the Director of Family Support and Community Development via email (careers@bethesdabc.com) or mail (2775 Emerson Street, Abbotsford BC V2T 4H8). Applicants should reference posting #817. (Full job description is available on Bethesda’s website.)
Donation Requests:
Bethesda's Lend a Hand Campaign is underway! Will you ‘lend a hand’ by joining Bethesda in its efforts to strengthen and extend valuable services to people with disabilities and their families? If you say “yes! I want to support this important ministry,” you have three different ways of donating: 1) mail your cheque to 2775 Emerson St, Abbotsford, V2T 4H8 2) go line to www.BethesdaBC.com and click on Donate, 3) or, if you live in the area, feel free to drop off your donation. Watch our Why Donate video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dqHAaCizbM Visit our webpage at https://bethesdabc.com/lend-a-hand/ to learn more about the Lend a Hand campaign. If you have questions, please email life@BethesdaBC.com or phone us at 604-850-6604 (locally) or toll-free at 1-866-455-2231.
Spread the Gospel. Double Your Gift. - Resonate Global Mission is working to help your church spread the gospel in your community. You can help provide hope and transform lives—and double your gift—by giving to our special campaign at www.resonateglobalmission.org/MatchMyGift Any amount you give will be matched dollar for dollar!
The Banner Needs You! - The Banner is the CRC’s award-winning monthly magazine. It is delivered free in print and online to every household in the CRC, and their annual donation appeal makes it possible. Please support this journalistic ministry and keep the community conversation going. You can give online now at: TheBanner.org/Give
The Banner: The April edition of the Banner is now available at the church. You can also access a copy online at The Banner. To support the Banner's ongoing journalistic ministry, consider making a donation. www.theBanner.org/Donate
Get The Banner Straight to Your Inbox - The Banner, the magazine of the CRC, will send you news, features, and columns straight to your email inbox! Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter by visiting thebanner.org/signup.
Today Devotion Books: The Today booklets are available at the church.
Contact for Online Bulletin: If you have anything to add to the bulletin, please email info@willoughbychurch.com
Contact Council: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email the council at council@willoughbychurch.com