Willoughby Church

2021 Lent - Willoughby CRC Journey to the Cross (II)

35 images - unexpected reminders of our Lord's great sacrifice and love. A Lenten journey for Willoughby Church in the year of Covid.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyXXCPbneH6yZ8Ry6

photos.google.com 35 new photos added to shared album

Christ is all around us, whether we seek Him or not! He can reveal Himself in the most unexpected places, but we must have the eyes to see him.

We want to encourage you—in this fourth week of Lent—to consider joining us in a photo project. Where do you see ‘accidental’ or ‘unintentional’ crosses? Are there crosses in your home, your place of work, or your neighbourhood?

The simple discipline of looking for the cross in everyday life allows us to grow more attentive to Jesus’ ongoing activity in our lives. The sign of the cross is everywhere. And when we really start looking for Him, we shall see Him more frequently than we expect.

When you find one, take a photo and then send it to [email protected]. We would love to share in this discovery with you!
Photo Credit: L&N Batterink

2021 Lent - Willoughby CRC Journey to the Cross (II)

27 Photos showing criss-cross images in our everyday lives. Willoughby Church is on a search. Submit photos to [email protected]. May this season be full of unexpected reminders of our Lord's great sacrifice and love.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyXXCPbneH6yZ8Ry6

photos.google.com 27 new photos added to shared album

We are now in our third week of the Lent season, and it’s been a joy to receive so many photos of ‘unexpected crosses’! Thank you to all those of you who have blessed us with these images.

We want to encourage you—if you haven’t already—to consider contributing to this project. The simple discipline of looking for a cross in everyday life is a means by which we grow more attentive to Jesus’ ongoing activity in our lives. The sign of the cross is everywhere. And when we really start looking for Him, we shall see Him more frequently than we expect.

When you find an ‘unexpected cross’, take a photo and then send it to [email protected]. We would love to share in this discovery with you. And may this season be full of unexpected reminders of our Lord’s great sacrifice and love.
Photo Credit: M. Onderwater

2021 Lent - Willoughby CRC Journey to the Cross (II)

Finding criss-cross images in our everyday lives. Willoughby Church is on a search. May this season be full of unexpected reminders of our Lord’s great sacrifice and love. (21 photos!)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyXXCPbneH6yZ8Ry6

photos.google.com 21 new photos added to shared album

Essential Health Workers Talk Working Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

An article featuring some of our own. https://www.thebanner.org/news/2021/01/essential-health-workers-talk-working-through-the-covid-19-pandemic

thebanner.org The Banner shares a glimpse of the experience of three women, in New York and in British Columbia, serving in essential health services through the pandemic.

Uphold Rigourous Standards for Medical Assistance in Dying

Changes to Medical Assistance in Dying legislation were supposed to occur by June 11th but due to the pandemic, the federal government has asked for an extension to December 18th. https://loom.ly/4Lw12nc
This means it's not too late to share your thoughts with your MP: https://loom.ly/XT58ZL0

p2a.co I just contacted my MP about Medical Assistance in dying. Ask your MP to be thoughtful about safeguards too by clicking this link!

register.gotowebinar.com

World Refugee Day is tomorrow. There are a number of virtual ways to remember and celebrate (see below). All events are free!

1. MAP British Columbia is hosting an online celebration of music, poetry, and story (Saturday at 2 pm PST). With the theme "Distant but Together", the celebration will recognize and honour the significant contribution of refugees to British Columbia as well as creating an online event that creates community - despite social distancing. COVID-19 is a reality for everyone, but what pulls us apart, actually brings us together. Learn more at https://mapbc.org/about/events/

2. Flavours of Hope (Saturday at 12 pm PST): In times of divisions and conflicts, we are coming together, cooking in solidarity, and celebrating the resilience of refugees. Join Flavours of Hope, celebrity Chef Marc Murphy and 11 other culinary refugee and immigrant empowerment organizations across the US and Canada for an interactive virtual cooking event featuring refugee cooks and their stories, and an engaging panel discussion on the role of food in creating connections and expressing cultural identities. Register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cooking-in-solidarity-for-world-refugee-day-tickets-109571659784

3. Canadian Council for Refugees: On-line storytelling on access and inclusion (Saturday at 11 am PST): You are invited to participate in a free on-line storytelling event featuring refugees, front-line workers or others working with refugees and vulnerable migrants. During these unprecedented times, we have been overwhelmed with stories of struggle. On World Refugee Day, we want to give space to stories of courage and resilience expressed through the universal language of the arts. The day will feature visual, performance, literary and media arts. To attend: Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5087868419223051024

register.gotowebinar.com

Look who stopped by for a visit!

COD Provides Continuity in Top Leadership

The CRC has appointed Colin Watson as its interim executive director. Leading the denomination at a time such as this is a challenge and an opportunity, he added. “These are interesting times for our world and for the CRCNA,” Watson said, “and I think that obviously as we stay in prayer over the next year, my prayer will be that we will end up in a place that is extremely healthy for the CRC going forward. I don’t know who my successor will be, but I will continue to pray for the right individuals to be appointed at the right time.” And we'll be in prayer for you, Colin!. Congratulations!

crcna.org Colin Watson, Sr., has been appointed interim executive director of the CRCNA.

Nigerian Pastor and Wife Killed

Pray for those who lost loved ones and all those involved.

crcna.org Rev. Emmanuel Bileya, a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN), and his wife were attacked and killed in Taraba state, Nigeria.

CRCNA Statement About The Deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor

"We must all stand up and speak, work, and preach against the sin of racism. This is not political action; it is a biblical position."
Here is the CRC's recent statement. There is an invitation at the end for each of us to ask ourselves a number of questions. May the same Holy Spirit whose coming we celebrated this past Sunday work in all of our hearts and actions.

https://network.crcna.org/racial-reconciliation/crcna-statement-about-deaths-george-floyd-ahmaud-arbery-and-breonna-taylor?fbclid=IwAR0UpAFSzkQtDsCClREVNnwJs5RhHKzgfebwPwu7Ce_SOtWjzO3gru34Ok8

network.crcna.org Racism is a stronghold in our countries that will not go away overnight. The remedy is a commitment to sanctification. We invite you to walk with us in this sanctification process.

The Banner Magazine

The Banner Magazine

Many Christian Reformed Church members in the U.S. and Canada have family members living in the neighboring country. The current border-crossing restrictions, to limit the spread of COVID-19, made one family in Lynden, Wash., get creative last week on Mother's Day.
Jean and John VanHemert, members of First CRC in Lynden, drove five minutes north of town to sit at the ditch that separates their state from British Columbia, Canada, where their adult children live. Three of their children, Caroline a member of Immanuel CRC, and Cindy and Tim, members of Willoughby CRC, all of Langley, B.C.; their spouses and nine grandchildren, visited from the Canadian side. A fourth son, James, and his wife, who live on Vancouver Island and are members of Duncan CRC, were unable to join the 0 Avenue gathering. John VanHemert is a CRC pastor emeritus, having served congregations in Canada and the U.S. as well as Seafarers Ministries. This was the family’s first border visit. “There were many other families,” said Tim. “Both USA and Canadian border patrol drove by. The Canadian officer reminded us that there was to be
no touching or passing things across the ditch."

“It is Finished” - cross in the Netherlands - Photo by Pieter VanderLeek Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Three Crosses on the Desert Hills”- St. Anthony’s Monastery, Egypt - Photo by Dennis de Groot Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Cross on the Floor of Coptic Chapel” - formed with rag woven prayer carpets - Anafora Retreat Center, Egypt - Photo by Dennis & Jenny DeGroot Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

Cathedral” - Guadeloupe Mexico. Photo by Gary Walker Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Moonrise” - El Salvador - Photo by Norm Groot Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Waiting to be filled” - photo by Sue Contant - Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Walk His Way” - Photo by Nancy Ryvers Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

‘Tourist Souvenir’ - photo by Nick Ringma Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“I am the Vine” - photo by John VanderZwaag Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Living in Hope” - Photo by Theresa VanDop Journey to the Cross: A Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“You're the God of this City” - Photo by Gary Walker Journey to the Cross: A Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Home” - photo by Charlie Dykman Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church.

“Rock Solid Redeemer” - Photo by Bill Tuininga. Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church.

‘Set Aside’ - Photo by Marion Griffioen Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

‘Neon Cross’ - Photo by Andy Groeneveld Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

“Imbedded” - inlaid Coptic Cross - +/- 1700 - Photo by Nick Ringma - Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church.

“I am with You” - photo by Elsie VanderMey Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

Churches Mark Lent With Photography, Paintings, Poetry

Marking the days of Lent as we journey to the Cross.

thebanner.org The congregations of Willoughby Church in Langley, B.C., and First Christian Reformed Church in Barrie, Ont., are sharing artwork as they journey through Lent.

[03/23/20]   Resting in the Shadow of the Cross’ - Photo by Jenna Fabiano Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church

"The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Saviour" - Photo by Mabel Roukema - Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church.

“Through the Window” - photo by Liz Tolkamp - Journey to the Cross: a Communal Artistic Project at Willoughby Church