Department: Author: Krista dela RosaFor the first time in the 42 years since the Indigenous Family Centre began, an Indigenous person is stepping in as its director. The center, operating in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., is one of three Urban Indgenous Ministries run by the Christian Reformed Ch
Department: Author: Maia VanderMeerIt’s Friday afternoon, July 24, and Michelle DePooter-Francis is on her way to Walmart to pick up items requested by seafarers restricted to their ships. DePooter-Francis is lead chaplain of the Ministry to Seafarers, a mission in the Port of Montreal, and a commi
Department: Author: Alissa VernonOn July 22 the Federal Court of Canada ruled that sending refugee claimants back to the United States under the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The court was asked to consider the case three years ago by The
Department: Author: Gayla R. PostmaDue to the strain of COVID-19 and global unrest, Christian Reformed Church denominational staff in Canada will be getting four extra days off this year, added to holiday weekends between August and December. That action was announced by the Canadian Ministries Tea
Department: Author: Religion News ServiceThe Banner has a subscription to Religion News Service and occasionally re-publishes articles of wide Christian interest, according to the license. This story has been edited for length. The original story can be found here. Grace and Peace Church, featured
Department: Author: Gayla R. PostmaThe Christian Reformed Church in North America Canada Corporation met for a half-day in July to further discuss the governance restructure. CRCNA Canada Corporation is made up of the Canadian members of the Council of Delegates, which acts on behalf of synod betwe
Department: Author: Kristen ParkerYouth Unlimited is a Christian organization that “provides week-long SERVE summer mission trips for teens.” They partner with churches throughout Canada and the USA to host and send teenagers on these service-focused ventures, but not this year. On April 9, Youth U
Department: Author: Gayla R. PostmaTwo or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Many of the actions taken by classes are governed by the CRC’s Church Order, the rules that govern denominational life. Here are some of
Department: Author: Maia VanderMeerIn March, when churches voluntarily suspended in-person services in response to the coronavirus pandemic, it was meant to be temporary. But with shifting legal requirements and without clear medical consensus on best disease-spread prevention methods, getting back
Department: Author: Kristen ParkerDeservedly So, a band that includes Mike Earls and Gerry Gysbers, members of Immanuel CRC in Hamilton, Ont., and Fred Zietal, have created an online sing-along concert and song book to share with residents of seniors’ homes to bring some joy and familiarity during
Department: Author: Kimberly SimpsonMen who use the Delonis Center shelter provided by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor, Mich., received an extended welcome at Ann Arbor (Mich.) Christian Reformed Church this spring and summer. The church is one of several congregations to h
Department: Author: Religion News ServiceIn a July 8 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that religious school teachers who perform a religious role, even if they are not ordained, and even if religion makes up a small part of their overall responsibilities, are subject to a mini
Department: Author: Associated PressThe Supreme Court of the United States ruled June 30 on a case about public funding for religious education, sparking praise from religious freedom advocates and alarm from secular groups. In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the high court ruled 5-4 tha
Department: Author: Alissa VernonRestrictions on the use of the Christian Reformed Church’s office buildings in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Burlington, Ont., and guidelines for international and domestic staff that were put in place in mid-March to minimize the health risks of the novel coronavirus pa
Department: Author: Greg ChandlerThe DOCK, an after-school ministry program in Wyoming, Mich., that is supported by several Christian Reformed Church congregations, recently marked its 15th anniversary with an announcement of several new ministry initiatives, including a new partnership with a nati
Department: Author: Adelle M. Banks, Religion News ServiceAbout 45 participants met in person and virtually at Howard University School of Divinity for the “Theology and Racialized Policing Cohort Program” through a partnership with Sojourners, a Christian mobilizing and media organization, and the
Department: Author: Religion News ServiceAfter a June 15 U.S. Supreme Court ruling said the rights of gay and transgender people are protected from workplace discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, some religious conservatives reacted. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, p
Department: Author: Janet A. GreidanusA gentle, wise servant of God, Bill DeJong was devoted to preaching Christ in the churches and to sharing God's love with his neighbors and friends. A lifelong learner, he never tired of reading, studying, and growing in his faith. DeJong died May 30 at age 90.
Department: Author: Janet A. GreidanusJim Versluys, who served for 33 years as pastor to several Christian Reformed congregations, died May 15.Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., Versluys graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College, Calvin Seminary and Denver Seminary. Aft
Department: Author: Janet A. GreidanusBerny Niemeyer lived with Alzheimer’s Disease for more than a decade. Even when he no longer recognized anybody, one memory remained. After dinner, he usually played his harmonica and sang, most often Jesus Loves Me. When all other memories were gone, Jesus rem