Online Bulletin
Update from the Refugee Sponsorship Team:
Our sponsored families are settling in and adjusting to life in Canada step by step. Here are some updates and opportunities:
· The Shamaan family (Muheiman, Nuha and Ur) has moved to Toronto to be nearer to other family. We loved getting to know them and wish them all the best in this next chapter. We will miss them! Please pray for them as they adjust to their new life in Toronto and also as they anticipate the arrival of a baby in January!
· The Altahas and AlRubayes are doing well! Some members of each family have begun working, others are searching for accessible employment which is a good fit, and all are working hard at growing their English language skills by attending classes.
· Looking ahead ... if you have or know of a vehicle, in good condition, that could be donated "in kind" to Willoughby CRC (in kind means you would get a tax receipt for the value of the vehicle), please let Peter Roukema know. phroukema@gmail.com.
· If you are able to help out by driving the AlRubayes to and from church on Sunday mornings, please email Helen Vandenberg and she will put you on the schedule. helenjvdb@gmail.com. They live near 56 ave and 208 st. Let her know how many seatbelts you have and she will supply the address. You don't have to be able to transport all six family members ...there are two volunteer drivers each Sunday. The AlRubayes love being part of the fellowship at our church and they also love meeting new people -- they are very grateful for these rides to church!
· We, along with our new families, continue to be grateful for your prayers, financial support and hospitality. Starting over, especially after traumatic experiences in their home countries and years of waiting as refugees in another country, can be challenging in many ways. We are blessed to be part of their new beginnings, as we were for several other families in the past.
Garden Sharing Table: Many of us have gardens that produce more than we can eat ourselves! If you have extras, you are invited to take it to the sharing table in the front hall at church on Sundays. Feel free to leave some or take some, regardless of whether you brought anything yourself. (Anyone with spare plastic bags is welcome to bring those as well). Any leftovers will be brought to a local food bank. If anyone would like to volunteer to be that person to take extras to the food bank, please let Tamara know!
Do Justice - Justice Prayers: Do Justice is a conversation space for justice in the Christian Reformed Church, from the Office of Social Justice. Justice Prayers is a weekly post addressing justice issues from around the world. Click here to pray and read more!
The Bible Tells Me So: Invitation to Join LDN 2022-23 In the middle of all the deep convictions and confusions of the present moment, The BC LDN (now a 1Life Servant Leadership intensive) continues its mandate to foster a deep and deeply relevant Biblical imagination in the leadership of our BC CRCs. To discern if our 2022-23 year of reading the Old Testament and practicing various ministry skills its themes invite, is for you, come to one of our summer on-line information evenings: Monday August 22 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. You can register here. Also see crc1life.ca for our curriculum and unique application process. Questions? Email wilma@crc1Life.ca
Ableism Training Hosted by CRC-RCA Disability Concerns - Join us online August 11 & 12 (from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm EDT) for our annual training event. We will unpack ableism and consider ways we can help reduce the impact of ableism in churches. This event is open to everyone interested in learning more about this very important topic. We will continue to release more information about this event on our dedicated website: Let’s End #AbleismAtChurch Register at https://bit.ly/ableismatchurch
Attention Youth Groups! - The NewGround program of Diaconal Ministries Canada (formerly called Operation Manna) now includes a Youth Justice Project! We want to help teens make a difference in their community. The Youth Justice Project encourages youth to identify an injustice in their community and share ways they hope to address it along with the deacons in their church. Approved applicants receive up to $6000 in grant money, coaching, and support from NewGround staff. So get your youth group together today and start dreaming and planning YOUR project! Find out more on our website: https://diaconalministries.com/newground/new-ground-youth-justice-project/
Hearts Exchanged: This Fall - If you have questions about the church and its role in the current and historical relationship with Indigenous peoples, consider participating in the upcoming cohorts of Hearts Exchanged. Find out more details about what's involved and sign up at crcna.org/Hearts-Exchanged
Office of Social Justice: Season of Creation - Celebrate this time on the liturgical calendar starting September 1st. During this season the church praises God for Creation’s beauty, focuses on their call as caretakers, and laments the brokenness and the groaning of all creation. For resources go to: network.crcna.org/biblical-justice/seasons-creation
Office of Diversity: Diversity Sunday - August 14 - In two weeks we will recognize and celebrate the growing number of non-Anglo congregations in the CRC. Learn more about the CRC Office of Diversity and its mission to serve and grow diverse leadership throughout the denomination. Check out the website: crcna.org/Diversity
CRC NEWS:
CRCNA Canada Corporation Meets: The directors of the Canada Corporation discussed plans for fall meetings and followed up on past board work. Click here for the full article.
Growing Leaders Online: ReFrame Ministries is partnering with the Presbyterian Church of Brazil to offer online courses for pastors and church leaders. Click here for the full article.
Korean Pastors Explore the CRCNA: The 2022 Korean Institute in Ministry training program will be conducted online and in person over the next four months. Click here for the full article.
Groundwork: Grow as a Disciple of Jesus Christ - God provides his grace and the Holy Spirit for our discipleship journey. Join Groundwork as we study Ephesians 4:7-15, Colossians 2:6-22, and Hebrews 6:1-12 to find out what maturing disciples of Jesus understand and recognize the signs of dynamic discipleship in your own life. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
At-home Faith Practice Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Remembering: Read Hebrews 11:1–12:2 and ponder or discuss the following questions. What do the actions of the people mentioned—such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses—have in common? What does it mean to act “by faith”? Do you have family “faith stories” that you tell about your parents or other ancestors? If so, what are they? How do you share them with younger generations? (For more on faith practices from Faith Formation Ministries, visit bit.ly/FaithPracticesProject)
Grants Available for Churches! - The NewGround Program of Diaconal Ministries Canada offers coaching, networking, and grants to churches seeking to break new ground to start (or grow) a sustainable community ministry. For over 35 years, NewGround (formerly Operation Manna) has helped CRC's across Canada love their community. NewGround has supported teen drop-in centres, community dinners, ministry to newcomers/refugees, art studios, counselling and debt centres and so much more! Applications for our Community Ministry Grants are due by August 15, 2022, so start praying and dreaming with your church and community now. Find out more on our website: diaconalministries.com/newground/ and/or email our NewGround Program Director, Karla Winham, with your questions and ideas: kwinham@crcna.org.
Christian Stewardship Services: Conversations about your estate are always difficult. Christian Stewardship Services is hosting open Q&A sessions every week this summer to answer all of your questions on charitable giving and estate planning, Explore the topics and register on our website at: https://csservices.ca/summer-conversations-series/. Each session will have a 10-minute introduction, then an interactive Q&A on any charitable giving and estate planning questions. The last four topics are: Executor and POA choices, Joint Accounts, Estate taxes, and Out of Country issues. These are conversations you do not want to miss! Click the link to register today!
Job Postings:
World Renew - International Disiaster Response - Safeguarding and Social Inclusion Coordinator Job Opportunity - World Renew has a suite of safeguarding policies, including a Complaints Policy. This position will support the rollout of this policy across the breadth of the organization and play a pivotal role in the ongoing development of systems and processes to strengthen and embed a safeguarding culture across the organisation.
World Renew - Position Opening: International Disaster Response - Senior Project Manager - This position will work to further the impact of World Renew in areas affected by conflict-related humanitarian emergencies. They will work on the development of multi-year proposals and project implementation in areas of chronic emergencies. Working closely with our Ministry Team colleagues and international partners, the incumbent will development proposals that are well formulated and in line with institutional donor requirements.
The Banner: The July/August 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
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