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May Special Offering:  This month we're joining Advokate Life and Education Services in their Annual Baby Bottle Campaign to support their hope for women pregnancy services initiative. All funds raised go directly to supporting vulnerable women and families facing unplanned pregnancy.  Thanks to services including pregnancy counseling, ultrasounds,  postpartum support,  they've seen countless lives saved and changed.  Let's help make a difference in these young lives. 

Mission Request:  Hi Willoughby Church! As some of you may have heard I am entering into full time missions with Youth with a Mission. I have many fond memories of growing up and learning at Willoughby and I want to extend you an invitation to partner with me on my mission journey. I will be staffing the Discipleship Training School in YWAM Netherlands at the Heidebeek base. This will involve mentoring young people who are hungry to learn more about God and then leading them on outreaches to make God known. I need to raise $3000 CAD per month in order to cover living and travel expenses. If your interested in supporting me financially and/or in prayer please contact me at (250) 307-1490 or jennaroelanne@gmail.com  Thank-you, Jenna Rodermond 

Volunteers Needed: Do you want to serve??  We need volunteers for all areas of the church. If you are interested in being involved in any way including on tech teams, greeting, or in hospitality.  Please see Tamara or email tamara@willoughbychurch.com, thanks!!

Youth Group (Grades 8-12):  Here is the May Youth Group Schedule! 

  • May 7 Study at Willoughby 7 to 830 
  • May 14 Games at Willoughby 7 to 830
  • May 21 Long weekend NO YOUTH
  • May 28 Youth Dinner 5 to 7  

Preteen Youth Night (Grades 4-7):  Join us this last Wednesday, May 17th @ 6:00 pm, before we break for Summer here at the church.  Pre-teens is a time to get together and celebrate worship through games and bible study! 

Seniors: Come and join us on Thursday May 18th at 945 am for an outing and lunch as we visit the Abbotsford Mennonite Museum, admission is by donation and lunch is at your own cost. We would like to know how many will be participating, so if you have not already signed up please give Marion Griffioen a call or text at 604-760-9826.  We will be going by bus leaving the church at 10am, please be there no later than 9:45am.  There is the option of taking your own car if that works better for you.  Guests are very welcome! 

Hayhoe in Fort Langley: Come join a conversation with Katharine Hayhoe on Saturday, May 20th at 7:30pm.  She will be at Swallowfield farm (7296 Telegraph Trail) in Forth Langley discussing "Empowering Climate Conversation: from Anxiety and Misinformation to Inspired Action".  Katharine is an atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live.  This is a free public event, registration is required as space is limited. Hayhoe in Fort Langley, Empowering Climate Conversations - The Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation (csca.ca)

Young Adult Pub Trivia Night: YAM invites all young adults to come out on May 26 at 7pm for a fun Pub Trivia Night filled with appies, mocktails and trivia! There will be prizes to be won so mark your calendars and invite all your friends! All Young Adults are welcome!!!

Potluck Lunch: We will be getting together as a church and community for a potluck farewell lunch for Bert Slofstra!! The theme of the potluck is  "Soup & Buns & Salad" on Sunday, May 28th after the church service. Please bring enough soup, buns or salad to share. Cake, coffee & juice will be provided by the Church. This will be a time for fellowship and to thank Bert for being apart of our church community for all these months!! See you all there!

Community Meal Share Program: Are you tired of meal prep? Or have extras to give? The community meal share is a way for each of us to bless and be blessed by our community on a regular basis with culinary delights. On Sundays, and throughout the week, during office hours the church will be open for meals to be dropped off or taken home whenever is convenient for you. This is not charity, it's just community. Grab a meal for no other reason than you want to, or you're having a busy week. Bring a meal just because you had leftovers! Swap a meal if you're dropping off and another meal looks good! Labels to provide the date and any common allergens will be provided, and there will be a space in the freezer for the meals. 

CLAYBURN COLLECTIVE | SPRING ARTISAN MARKET Mark your calendars for Mother’s Day weekend as Living Hope CRC is hosting a Spring Artisan Market! Dates: Friday, May 12 | 5pm-9pm & Saturday, May 13 | 10am-2pm  Location: 34631 Old Clayburn Road, Abbotsford 

Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation: Join us May 26, 27 and 28 for the 8th annual Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation! We walk on the land between Fort Langley and Mission in lament and solidarity of First Nations peoples remembering the harm done by Indian Residential Schools. You can choose to do a self-guided walk with family & friends, attend a larger event, walk together as a big group, or do a solidarity walk in your own community. Walk any portion of the walk, whether it's 1 KM or more, or join one of the organized groups that are walking together this year. Maps are provided, receive a free t-shirt and read Indigenous stories and info posted online. Check out https://www.reconciliationwalk.com/walk 

Women's Connect Social: We are having another Women's Social on Saturday June 3rd at 10am.  This time we'll be making a Succulent Planter!!  The cost is $20 per person to cover the cost of materials.  Refreshements will be provided.  You can sign up in the foyer before or after the service.  Please bring a friend! All are welcome!!

 Cascade Family Bible Camp – July 6-10 – Warm Beach Camp, near Stanwood, WA. Singles, couples, families and seniors - fellowship and worship together in a beautiful setting, enjoy dynamic speakers to challenge and refresh your daily walk; camp with your tent or RV, or choose from a variety of lodging accommodations with meals included. Swimming, mini golf, tennis & basketball courts, volleyball, bocce, rockets, and so much more! Childcare and fun programs for your kids preschool through post-high! Register online: Cascade Family Bible Camp - Home or contact rona718@hotmail.com, dean@lithocraft.com if you have questions. ‘First Timer’ discounts also available for those who haven’t attended in the past! 

SUMMER HOMESTAY OPPORTUNITY ~ Langley Christian School is excited to be welcoming Grade 9/10 students from Japan to our community this summer and we are looking for families to host students in their home. Here are the details for this summer’s program:

  • Dates: August 2-14
  • Activities: Mon - Fri. students will be on-campus from approximately 8:45 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm. ELL classes generally take place in the morning and the afternoons are reserved for sightseeing. Host families are encouraged to take opportunities outside those times to introduce their student(s) to Canadian culture.
  • Remuneration: Students are housed 2 per household (required). They can share ONE bedroom with two beds or be placed in separate bedrooms. The fee for hosting two students is $1320.00 for the duration of the visit. Host families are responsible for providing daily transportation to and from school, three nutritious meals per day (and snacks) as well as a comfortable bedroom with a bed, dresser/closet, desk and a working window.
  • The Homestay Application Form can be found on the International Program page (found in Programs tab) of the Langley Christian School website or by following this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfa08MYBs3D0NlHlYgGa_dZF0XSfSm7HTvhej9DMxF5pjCwJA/viewform

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Bridge App: Where Life Happens Better Together - Have you heard about The Bridge App? Are you wondering how your church can get started using the app? This interactive webinar is being held on Wednesday, May 31, 1:00 - 2:00 pm PST. Register here: https://bit.ly/3APY59j

Sign Up to Pray for Synod 2023 - This year during Synod, we will be offering an opportunity for CRC members to join the Synod 2023 Prayer Vigil. You are invited to sign up for 30 minute time slots to pray. Each morning, a prayer guide for that day will be emailed out. These prayer guides will be the same ones for the early morning prayer at Synod and will have specific requests based on what is scheduled for that day. If you would like to sign up for the Synod 2023 Prayer Vigil, use the link: www.crcna.org/longing-to-be-like-christ. We would love to see hundreds of CRC members signed up daily to be in prayer for our Synod gathering!

Student Fund Committee Classis BCSE: Students intending to go into ordained ministry in the Christian Reformed Church may apply for financial support after their undergraduate studies are completed and they qualify for entry at Calvin Seminary or a comparable institution recognized by Classis. Applicants need to receive an endorsement of their home church. Contact licrc.pvanhuizen@shaw.ca for an application form and funding criteria. (Deadline May 31, 2023) 

Serve in Mississippi with World Renew - After the damage caused by tornadoes that stayed on the ground for approximately 100 miles across Mississippi, join World Renew this October for one week with your church to serve homeowners by repairing homes. Will you answer the call to rebuild hope in Rolling Fork, Mississippi? If interested, email cgibson@worldrenew.net to sign up or with questions.

1Life May Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipling & mission. Click here for the May newsletter.

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!

CRC NEWS:

Faith-Driven Climate Action: The CRCNA has made it a priority to address human-induced climate change.    Click here for the full article.

Relaxed and Reformed: This is one of the most important tasks before us at this moment as a denomination.   Click here for the full article.

New Agency to Help Congregations Thrive: Council of Delegates recommends a mandate to synod for a new ministry called Thrive.   Click here for the full article.

Groundwork: Everything We Have is from God - Whether we have them or not, money and possessions are an inescapable fact of life. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study passages like Exodus 20:15-17, Deuteronomy 5:19-21, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, Leviticus 25:23-28; Proverbs 22:9, Ephesians 4:28, and Matthew 5:40-42 to cultivate a biblical perspective on our money and the things we own in this life. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Donation Opportunities:

Give the Gift of Hope Today! - Today we celebrate all the special women in our lives – the women who inspire and uplift us. Women who walk alongside their families and communities, encouraging and supporting them so that they can flourish are Women of Hope. But too many women are denied the opportunities they need to be healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually – they are denied the chance to become Women of Hope. Through your gifts today you can help share Christ’s hope with vulnerable women in communities where World Renew works around the world. Your gift will help provide the training and tools they need to become strong and confident and better equipped to support their families and communities. For more information, go to: worldrenew.ca/womenofhope

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

Job Postings:

Worship Director: Nelson Ave Community Church (Burnaby, BC) seeks a part-time (16 hours/week) Worship/Music Director. The successful candidate will be a mature Christian with a servant heart, gifts in worship ministry, able to work collaboratively with others, and good leadership and administrative skills. Nelson Ave Community is a vital, small church in the Metrotown area of Burnaby, with roots in the Reformed tradition - CRCNA. We have a diverse weekly gathering of attendees and long-time members of various nationalities and all ages. The worship services blend traditional and contemporary aspects with a value placed on music and the arts. Job description and compensation package are available upon request at office@nacchurch.org. If applying, please send a cover letter and resume.

Campus Chaplain Position:   The Campus Ministry in Prince George BC has an opening. If you have an interest, information is available at: https://network.crcna.org/job/campus-minister-unbc-prince-george-british-columbia-0 

The Banner: The May 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