Online Bulletin
July Special Offering: The special offering for this month is for Campus Re/Formed Okanagan. This ministry is led by Chaplain Rev. Dr. Todd Statham at UBC Okanagan and seeks to equip and encourage students, staff, and faculty to be lifelong disciples of Jesus. Chaplains are supportive listeners who are on campus to support campus well-being and encourage students, faculty, and staff on their spiritual journey. Dr. Statham is an ordained CRC pastor and has been serving as campus pastor since 2016.
Refugee Sponsorship Update: We are very thankful for two Syrian refugees we were told about last April: George who fled Syria in 2017 and has waited in Lebanon since then, arrived at Vancouver International Airport this past Wednesday! Pray for a smooth transition into his Canadian environment. Ohans has received word from the Canadian Embassy in Amman, Jordan that he will travel to Canada on August 3! As a Syrian refugee in Jordan, he has endured many hardships and a very long wait! Please pray for him as he prepares for travel and all the changes that lie ahead for him. Both of these men have co-sponsors who will help them settle into their new environments, and we at Willoughby will provide whatever assistance is needed.
Kid's Summer Camp: Join us for our kids’ drop-in summer camp, Thursday mornings only, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, July 13 – Aug 10, for kids ages 4 through Grade 5. Feel free to bring a friend! Our summer camp is filled with activities that will help your child explore what it means to have compassion for themselves, for others, and for the world. Using Psalm 104, participants will learn how God provides for his world, what all living things need to live – shelter, food, water, air, and community – and how they can participate in caring for God’s creation. This summer camp is free, but pre-registration is desired, visit our website to sign up!
Garden Sharing Table: This is the time of year when home vegetable gardens are beginning to produce vegetables ready for picking. Many of us tend gardens that produce more than we can eat ourselves. If you have extras, you are invited to bring them on Sundays to our Garden Sharing Table located in the front hallway of the church. We will continue the sharing table through the summer months.
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, Children's Ministry, greeting, or in hospitality. Please see Tamara or email tamara@willoughbychurch.com, thanks!!
Langley Food Bank Donations: The Deacons have set up a permanent basket in the lobby for Food Bank Donations, you can bring in canned goods, personal items, baby items or dry goods at anytime the church office is open or on Sunday mornings. Thanks for continuing to support this great cause!
Hearts Exchanged: This Fall - Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with Indigneous people as neighbours. It's a great way to learn more about the history of Canada. You can participate in a cohort with people from your area! Read more and express your interest today. crcna.org/hearts-exchanged
Volunteer with World Renew Disaster Response Services - Are you looking for volunteer opportunities to help others and serve God? Make a life changing difference with World Renew Disaster Response Services this fall in Boutte, Louisiana; Whatcom County, Washington; or Sarasota, Florida! For dates and more information, go to worldrenew.net/volunteer. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Healing Hearts Transforming Nations Retreat - Register Today! - Sunday, July 30 - Thursday, August 3 This three-day workshop on Bowen Island aims to equip Christian leaders to be agents of healing and reconciliation. A combination of interactive teaching, group sessions, ministry times and participant interaction are used. The workshop seeks to bring healing and reconciliation to communities suffering from division and hatred. People from differing backgrounds are invited to encounter God and one another at heart level. To register CLICK HERE!
Youth Justice Project - Make a difference in your community! The Youth Justice Project is a video contest funded by NewGround (a program of Diaconal Ministries Canada). Teens from CRC’s across Canada are invited to identify an injustice in their community and share ways they hope to address it, along with the deacons of their church. Approved applicants will receive up to $6,000 as well as coaching and support from NewGround staff. Get your youth group together this summer and start planning! Find out more here: diaconalministries.com/newground/new-ground-youth-justice-project/
ICS Fall Courses - Check out the new courses offered at the Institute for Christian Studies this fall. Explore Jim Olthius’ 'theopoetic philosophy' in "A Cosmic Theopoetics of/for Love", "Biblical Foundations: Narrative, Wisdom, and the Art of Interpretation" with Nik Ansell, or "Critical Theory and Religion: The Frankfurt School and Beyond" with Ron Kuipers. All of ICS' fall courses are offered online, so you can take them no matter where you are. Tuition is $1,500 to take a course for credit, $600 to audit, or $400 for first-time auditors and alumni. To learn more or register, email academic-registrar@icscanada.edu or visit icscanada.edu/fall-courses to see more offerings.
1Life July 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 July 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:
‘Stepping Stones’ Toward Healing: Healing Hearts, Transforming Nations is helping Resonate partners work toward healing in First Nations communities. Click here to read the full article.
Volunteers Learn to Create Videos in Burkina Faso: With a passion for sharing the message of Christ, young ministry volunteers have been reaching peers through social-media. Click here to read the full article.
So We Keep Praying…: Synod 2023 is now in the rearview mirror. I believe that now, more than ever, we need to keep praying. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Holy People, God's Wisdom, And The Power Of The Cross - The Corinthian church was full of imperfect believers sorting out the impact of their faith on how they lived in the world. Join our Groundwork conversation as we examine 1 Corinthians 1-2 and hear Paul’s reminder to return back to the basics and the heart of the gospel message. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
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