Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 3 & 4 of September:
The other special offering for September is for the Willoughby Church Benevolent Fund . The Benevolent Fund is used to support families in this congregation and in the Langley community with rent, utilities, food vouchers, Christmas hampers and Christian School tuition relief. The recent inflation in Canada caused by global supply chain disruptions, an increase in demand for items that weren't available during the pandemic, and widespread droughts affecting agriculture output. Have seen a significant increase in food, rent and gas costs resulting in more requests for assistance. Please consider giving generously to this church fund, to help support our community.
You are invited to donate through the offering plate or click here to give through Tithley (Benevolence-Deacons-Willoughby Church)
* The Deacons now do two Special Offerings per month, ReFrame Ministries will run for the first two weeks, with Willoughby Church Benevolent Fund for weeks 3&4. You are invited to give to either or both offerings as they will both be available on tithe.ly for the whole month of September! *
Blood Donor Clinic: We will be hosting another Blood Donor Clinic on Thursday, September 24th starting at 1pm. If you are able, please join in saving lives together by donating blood. Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca
Church Choir: Are you interested in joining a choir here at Willoughby?? Mark Yang is looking for members to join a choir here at the church to preform during the Christmas Season! If you are interested there will be a sign up sheet in the lobby after the service.
Preteens is back on October 3rd!!!! Preteens is for children in grades 4-7 and they meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, for activities, bible study and games!! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Youth: Youth will be returning on Sunday, October 6th, at 6:30pm here at Willoughby!!! Meet with your new Director Christian, and find out what's going on in this new ministry year!! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Child Abuse Prevention Workshop – For all Willoughby CRC Child & Youth Ministry Leaders, Volunteers & Interested Participants. When? Thursday Sept 26, 7- 9:15pm. Where? Willoughby CRC to REGISTER: Please email Christian, at Christian@willoughbychurch.com. This interactive workshop equips/supports churches & leaders for their ministry roles and responsibility to provide safe ministry environments.The training fulfills insurance requirements for providing the necessary abuse prevention & response training for all Child & Youth Ministry leaders who work/volunteer with minors (under 19 years of age) and vulnerable adults. It takes a WHOLE CHURCH to be a SAFE CHURCH. All leaders need to engage in this workshop/training that supports and equips them for their roles as leaders and creating safe and informed church ministries. EVERYONE is welcome to attend. PRESENTED by Faye Martin - Abuse Prevention & Response Coordinator: Contact: 604-850-5137 Faye@bcsafechurch.com www.bcsafechurch.com
NLCC is hosting Family Life Canada’s popular one-day “Together For Good” Marriage Workshop with Neil & Sharol Josephson on Saturday, September 28, from 9 am – 4 pm at their Walnut Grove Campus. This event is open to anyone, it's a great resource that equips couples to pursue a loving marriage that goes the distance. The material is designed to be accessible to anyone, whether they profess a Christian faith or not. For more information click here, and to register click here.
Youth/Young Adult Conference: Living Word Christian Church is hosting a two-day conference on September 27- 28, 2024 for Youth & Young Adults. The theme of the conference is “Let No One Despise You” based on 1 Timothy 4:12. There will be teaching in main sessions, sharing of testimonies, worship,
prayer, and group discussions. Topics that will be discussed during the group discussions will be identity, discipline, and sexual purity. It will be a blessed time of fellowship and an opportunity to learn from one
another. Date & Time: Friday, September 27 (7-10PM) & Saturday, September 28 (8AM-1:30PM)
Note: Breakfast & Lunch on Saturday will be provided We are so excited and expectant to see how the Lord will work over these two days.
Health & Wellness Fair - Friday, Oct 4 | 8:30am - 3pm The Oasis Auditorium, Elim Village Fleetwood
9008 - 158 Street, Surrey, BC. Join us for Elim's 2024 annual Health & Wellness Fair! The theme is Healthy Aging: Nurturing the Garden Within and this day-long event is packed with exciting content: * Keynote Speaker: Terry Small, The Brain Guy & Guest Speakers: Dr. Robyn Land, ND & Marian Heemskerk a Special Concert: Judah Rodway. Community time over a buffet lunch - Attendees will receive a gift bag! This event is open to all (residents, family members, staff, those part of the broader seniors living community, and those interested in joining our community one day). Tickets are on sale now! Call now to purchase your ticket, or visit our Main Administration at Elim Village Fleetwood, Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm) at 9025 - 160 Street, Surrey, to buy one in person. Ticket Cost: $20 - Includes event, buffet lunch, coffee/tea, snacks, prizes, concert, Exhibitor Fair, and a gift bag! Questions? Email events@elimvillage.com or call 604-583-3546. Ticket purchase deadline is September 24, 2024.
A Rocha: join us at A Rocha’s Oasis Series, on Wednesday, September 25 from 9-4:30pm for a day of reflection and rejuvenation! This is your opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle, and experience restoration for your soul. Rod Wilson, our speaker, will guide us through themes of depletion, recuperation, and replenishment. Whether you’re a church leader, non-profit professional, or just in need of some guided restorative teaching and reflection, this retreat is designed for you! Seats are filling up quickly, so don’t wait - click here to register and guarantee your spot!
A Rocha: Harvest Celebration - Saturday, October 5 from 12 - 4pm, $10/adult, $5/child. It's almost time for our Annual Harvest Celebration! Come celebrate the abundance of the harvest and the goodness of creation with A Rocha this fall! Join us for all the festivities: food trucks, live music, fresh squash, kids’ activities, lawn dancing, raptor friends, apple cider pressing, hay rides, and more! Tickets are available for purchase in advance online, or on the day of at the entrance. For more information & tickets, click here!
Hearts Exchanged Learning Cohort, September -May: This 8-month cohort modeled on a transforming journey of reconciliation equips participants to build respectful, neighbourly relationships with Indigenous communities. Contact facilitator Liz Tolkamp- liz@crc1life.ca- for more information or to sign up. Maximum 8 participants. Meeting monthly on a Wednesday, from September to May at the 1Life learning hub (Fleetwood CRC).
RESTORATIVE CONGREGATIONS: Learning How to Grow Restorative Churches: Over two Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, you will explore a relational framework and explicit practices that help to build, sustain, and heal relationships. You will learn and practice how to facilitate circles and learn how to implement restorative practices in your community. After this training, participants will have the tools they need to support the implementation of restorative practice in their congregations. Some of the topics covered are: what does it mean to be a restorative church? how to facilitate circles, and the different types of circles. This training will introduce participants to a framework & vision for being and becoming a restorative congregation. Click here to register For more information contact Liz liztolkamp@gmail.com or Anthony at anthoniej@hotmail.com
Would your school or Sunday School class be interested in making cards for this year’s Christmas at Sea gifts? Seafarers so appreciate the cards! Ministry to Seafarers aims to put a card with a personal note in as many gifts as possible. If you are interested, contact Gary Roosma by email (crcvanportchaplain@gmail.com) for more information. It's a great way to introduce students to this ministry, and to get them involved.
Coffee Break A Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life With Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5. We are inviting YOU to come to Bible Study, fellowship and refreshments at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) Every Tuesday morning beginning September 24, 2024. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Starting with Chapter 1, “Turning Things Around” of Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin: How to STUDY the BIBLE with both OUR HEARTS and OUR MINDS A study with “purpose, perspective, patience, process and prayer…” There’s still room for YOU to join in! Need more info? Email Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca
We're excited to invite you to "Listen Up!" workshop, an event that Telecare Crisis & Caring Line has proudly offered for over seven years. Join us on September 28, 2024, for an engaging morning dedicated to the skill of active empathetic listening. Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Location: Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford (Clearwood Room, Student Centre), Cost: $25 (includes continental breakfast and materials). Join us and elevate your impact in your community and the lives of those you help. Click here to register!!!
World Renew Malawi and Zambia Discovery Tour - Two countries, one trip! Embark on a journey across Southern Africa from November 8-18, 2024 as World Renew unveils the inspiring work in both Malawi and Zambia. This exclusive opportunity invites you to immerse yourself in the rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes of these nations while witnessing the transformative impact of World Renew's initiatives. Delve into the heart of our programs, build connections with our dedicated partners, and experience firsthand the profound change taking root in these communities, by the power of God. For more information and for registration, visit: https://bit.ly/mztour2024
1Life September Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipline & mission. Click here for the September newsletter.
Do Justice - Justice Prayers: Do Justice is a conversation space for justice in the Christian Reformed Church, from the Office of Social Justice. Justice Prayers is a weekly post addressing justice issues from around the world. Click here to pray and read more!
CRC NEWS:
Every Generation: A Longing for Community Growing up, Rachel Kodde longed for community. That’s why she participated in the Act Five gap-year program.
Calvin University: Learning From 500 Visits to Prison In 2015 Todd Cioffi paid his first visit to the Handlon Correctional Facility. Earlier this month he visited for the 500th time.
The Banner: Finding Hope in Church Hopping Despite my critical nature, I’ve still discovered at least a few positive qualities in each church I’ve visited.
Groundwork: Dry Bones And God's Promises Of Restoration - Have you ever felt so hopeless that anything and everything remotely good seems impossible and out of reach? Join Groundwork as we study the hope filled imagery in Ezekiel 37 and 47 to remember God’s great love for his people, how seriously he takes his promises, and how deeply we can trust that one day he will fully restore us too. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - One way we can participate in the mission of God is by living justly. To live justly is to pray and stand up for people who are mistreated. In your school, workplace, neighborhood, or community, who is not being treated fairly? What can you do to advocate for justice for them? Ask God to show you where there is injustice in your community and how you can support people who are being wronged. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Job Posting:
Job Opening: Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator (APRC) Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is in the process of succession planning and is looking for someone to succeed our current Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator who is looking ahead to retirement. This position would require on average approximately 20 hrs per week, with certain months having increased hours. The work includes providing abuse prevention and response education and requires travel to the Christian Reformed churches in BC. Applicants must be knowledgeable about the subject of abuse, have related work experience & education. Start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please see this job posting, and email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Van der Leek - avdleek@gmail.com.
Job Opening: Senior Leader for Intercultural Ministry (Canada) - The Senior Leader for Intercultural Ministry provides leadership for the CRCNA in Canada to foster a healthy intercultural church. This role is crucial in a context where local churches and society are becoming increasingly diverse, and racialized groups are seeking equity, inclusiveness, and belonging. The Senior Leader equips, trains, and encourages congregations to navigate the opportunities and challenges arising from growing diversity and to create communities where all members fully belong. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
The Banner: The September edition of the Banner is now available at the church. You can also access a copy online at The Banner. To support the Banner's ongoing journalistic ministry, consider donating. www.theBanner.org/Donate
Today Devotion Books: The Today booklets are available at the church.
Contact for Online Bulletin: If you have anything to add to the bulletin, please email info@willoughbychurch.com
Contact Council: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email the council at council@willoughbychurch.com