Posts Tagged ‘justice’
When 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.
Located behind the church, the Glenwood Drive Community Garden was born! Today this garden is a shared space for all who enjoy the beauty of nature; growing their own food, or just getting their hands dirty! Watch their 10th Anniversary video here…
Read MoreWearing the Mark of Mercy
I am thankful that I was introduced to the writings of Tim Keller and highly recommend his devotional book: “A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs – God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life”. In it, he says 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. Wearing the mark of mercy is one of the most practical and beautiful ways that we can show the world that we are Christians. Sometimes I overcomplicate it, over-analyze the means by which I show it, or even find excuses why someone isn’t worthy of my mercy. This quote stops the noise in my head.
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 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 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.
Ontario 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!
Read MoreOngoing Care and Connection Despite Covid Helps London Ministry Thrive
Sanctuary London has always at its core been about creating relationships with people experiencing oppression and exclusion. Overnight Covid changed the way Sanctuary interacted with each other. In many ways, they went from being intentionally and intensely relational to a service-driven, needs-based ministry. Despite the many challenges, Covid has affirmed their mission and they have continued on!
Read MoreNewGround Helps London Church Offer Affordable Counselling
Good News Church recently received a NewGround grant in order to partner with the Community Counselling Centre of London, which offers affordable counselling services. This partnership has become a beautiful, reciprocal relationship that is bearing all kinds of fruit. Check out the story now!
Read MoreCommunity Garden puts People before Plants
When asked where the idea for a community garden came from, Pastor Marcel deRegt noted that the idea came to him as he was looking out over some of the church property, wondering how that “resource” could be better utilized to serve their broader community. He also shared about Gateway’s desire to be so involved and impactful in the community, that if they were to close their doors, the broader community would not just notice the vacant building, but would be grieved at the loss. He wondered if the community gardens could be another way the church could invest in and work with their local community.
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