Signs of Hope in the Midst of Chaos
Diaconal Ministries Canada and World Renew partner to offer financial grants to churches and ministries during the Covid-19 crisis
For Christians, the rainbow has long been a sign of hope – of promise. When Noah and his family disembarked the ark he built, after the waters receded, God made a promise – a covenant – with Noah, the earth, and every living creature in it.
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” (Gen. 9:8-17)
Each time the rainbow appears, we remember that God is there, even through the storms of life, and that His love and His goodness and His faithfulness will endure forever.
Over the years, the rainbow has been claimed by other groups and persons, Christian and non-Christian alike, again as a sign of hope and beauty and love. And so amidst the current Covid-19 crisis, humankind has turned to the rainbow once again. A new phenomenon has recently swept the nation. Perhaps you’ve even seen it firsthand. What apparently started in Italy with residents hanging images of rainbows in their windows as a sign of hope, has now reached communities across Canada. In Quebec, it comes with the phrase “Ca va bien aller”, meaning “it’s going to be okay”. Others are posting their rainbow pics with simple phrases like “Be Kind”, “Stay Safe” or “Be Positive”.
Churches have the opportunity to share the love and grace of God’s church – with those near and far; to help the vulnerable in their communities and around the world who are greatly affected by Covid-19.
Deacons in particular have the opportunity to be Christ’s hands, feet and heart during this tumultuous time. And as such, Diaconal Ministries Canada is working hard to give deacons and churches across Canada hope – and practical support. One way we are doing this is by partnering with World Renew to offer financial grants to help support churches and ministries in these extraordinary times.
Churches have the opportunity to share the love and grace of God’s church – with those near and far; to help the vulnerable in their communities and around the world who are greatly affected by Covid-19. Recently an email was sent to every Canadian CRC outlining a Covid-19 Grant Program, a short-term pilot project being implemented to walk alongside churches and deacons who desire to engage with their community but lack the resources in order to do that.
Attached (and below) is more information on the program. Read it. Share it with your fellow deacons and church leaders. An online application will go live in the coming days so sit tight. In the meantime, send us your questions, comments, concerns and ideas! dmc@crcna.org or 1-800-730-3490 x4304
Featured picture; courtesy of alltrends.today
