Doing Justice
It Only Takes a Spark!
After a few years’ hiatus (due to the pandemic in 2020), a group of deacons and church members from the Maritime provinces gathered at John Calvin CRC the weekend of Apr. 26-27 for Spark! 2024. Several ministry leaders from the denomination led talks and workshops under the theme “Work in Progress – Joining God Where He’s At.”
Read MoreGiving Shelter to the Homeless
“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.” -Isaiah 58:7 (NLT) Members of First CRC in midtown Toronto have been picking up garden tools, cooking chili, hosting information sessions, and packing backpacks and baskets in an effort to live out this verse in their own neighbourhood.
Read MoreWhen Church & Community Come Together
Over ten years ago, a group of people at John Calvin CRC began dreaming about how to combine the assets and resources of the church with their local community while addressing food insecurity and promoting wise, environmental stewardship. The Glenwood Drive Community Garden was born!
Read MoreWearing the Mark of Mercy
Tim Keller writes that mercy isn’t just the job of the Christian: mercy is the mark of the Christian. This quote just stops me in my tracks.
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 in Ottawa.
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 – with her as their coach and with each other!
Read MoreThinking “Local” at Christmas
“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!
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