Doing Justice
The 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 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 MoreFlood 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 MoreThe Gospel Lived Out Through Fire & Flood
Through the ongoing challenges of natural disasters in their community, Evergreen CRC near Edmonton, AB, has been able to develop new relationships with people in their city as well as with other non-profits and organizations, all because they were able to use the gifts they were entrusted with to show people the love of God.
Read MoreNew Year… New Approaches(?), Part II
A food bank that doesn’t give out any cans??
What if food banks are making people dependent on short-term solutions, focusing only on symptoms while dismissing long-term answers and/or underlying problems?
Watch this interview with John Klein Geltink about a different way to help!
Read MoreAddressing the “Other Pandemic”
Faith leaders are in a unique position in that they may be approached for support before anyone else. How can deacons live out their mandate to “be compassionate to those in need and treat them with dignity and respect” in regards to the opioid crisis?
Read MoreKitchener Church Serves Up Hope Through Community Meals
Community CRC in Kitchener has had the pleasure of being involved with serving meals at their city’s Ray of Hope Centre.
Read MoreNew Year… New Approaches(?) -Part I
What if food banks and community fridges and a lot of our well-meaning efforts are actually making people dependent on short-term solutions, focusing only on symptoms while dismissing long-term answers and/or underlying problems? What is a church to do?
Read MoreOntario Church Cooks Up Ways to Help Refugees
The Refugee Committee of Meadowlands Fellowship CRC (“MFCRC”) has been very active for the last 7 years. During that time, the committee has helped eight (8) families – a total of 39 people – move from places of desperation to settlement away from conflict and into a place of peace and hope for their futures. In order to support another refugee family that the church is working hard to bring to Canada, the committee held a unique fundraiser on Saturday, November 6th: an online Arabic cooking class!
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