Posts by Erin Knight
NewGround Partnership Goes Beyond Financial Support
“I appreciate the support of NewGround for our ministry, Cross Town,” shared Greg Houldcroft at this year’s Annual Ministry Networking Day. “NewGround gives back to their partners; not just through grants but by pouring into the lives of their partners and its leaders.”
This is what has set the NewGround program apart for over 40 years. The annual Ministry Networking Day is a day that brings past, present, and potential community ministry partners and church partners together to listen, learn, celebrate, and collaborate!
Read MoreThe Road to Reconciliation Begins with Justice
“People sometimes want to jump right to reconciliation, but there is a stop before you get there, and it is called justice. It is not something that can be skipped.” This was the message shared by Adrian Jacobs, Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation, at the recent Canadian National Gathering.
Over 150 people from across Canada gathered to listen and exchange hearts with Indigenous brothers and sisters and to see a new way forward in their homes, churches, and communities. The Gathering was held May 25-28, 2023, at the Algonquin College Ottawa Campus in Ontario. Most attendees were either nominated or appointed by their local Classis…
Read MoreReconnecting Churches in Central Alberta with “Night of Encouragement”
Marg Hoogland, Diaconal Coach for Alberta North (Central Alberta) saw an incredible opportunity to get the churches in her area reacquainted – to her as their coach and with each other! She reached out to the churches in the Parkland area and discovered a strong thread among most of the churches: refugee engagement. And so began her plans for a “Night of Encouragement” on a cold winter’s night in February!
Read MoreSharing Me-mentos on Valentine’s
A little kindness can go a long way. The Deacons at Bethel CRC in Listowel got creative and shared a small gift to their church in order to show them what being a deacon is all about!
Read MoreBuilding Community Ministries from the (new)Ground Up
For years, Bethany CRC in Fenwick, Ontario, was engaged in global missions work. Yet each time their teams returned, they wondered what missions might look like in their own backyard. The church had a huge heart for youth and was already running a summer kids camp. After much discussion and prayer, it was decided they would start by canvassing in various neighbourhoods in the nearby city of Welland, to invite children to come out to a free Saturday afternoon program in a downtown church. Rose City Kids (RCK) was born!
Read MoreOnline Stewardship Course Going Live January 2023
Deacons are to encourage their congregations to live stewardly. More practically, to ask the question: “How can my whole life show that Jesus is my Lord?” It’s no secret that deacons often struggle with carrying out this part of their mandate. Help is now here!
Read MoreThinking “Local” at Christmas
“We wanted to encourage our congregation to be generous both locally and globally and find ways to use their gifts and passions in ways that would contribute to the partnerships we were trying to establish with a few local organizations,” shared Jean DeBeer, former deacon, current World Renew Ambassador, and Diaconal Coach for Diaconal Ministries Canada. “Getting our church more ‘invested’ with a local Giving Tree is one way we as a church are growing our relationship/involvement with our community.”
Read MoreHamilton Church Plant Offers Unique Internship Opportunity
Are you looking to serve and learn alongside lifelong urban ministry leaders working out their faith in urban Hamilton?
New Hope, an emerging Christian Reformed Church in East Hamilton, Ontario, is hosting a unique internship for Classis Hamilton and surrounding churches which will launch this fall.
Flood Relief Efforts Continue in BC Thanks to new Coalition
While most of the country has moved on, relief efforts continue in the southern part of British Columbia as many still work to rebuild homes and businesses and feed their families. One church that has led the way is Gateway CRC in Abbotsford, setting up a Flood Response Strategy to help address the intermediate and long-term spiritual and material needs of local residents.
Read MoreSurvey Says…!
This past January, Diaconal Ministries Canada, along with World Renew Canada, launched our own National Survey that was sent to all Canadian deacons. By sharing their experiences and feedback through this survey, Diaconal Ministries would be able to measure its effectiveness and better support the work of Deacons. Here are some of the preliminary results!
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