DEACON'S CORNER FOR CONSCIENTIOUS GIVING

                                                                                     November 2024

Please prayerfully consider how you can support this month's offering causes and consciously plan your donation

“First Bag” Collection Causes   

November 03: World Renew- World Hunger-- He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 In communities where poverty is prevalent, men, women, and children often struggle to grow enough food, lack access to clean water, fight to rebuild after a disaster, and experience injustice. Through our congregation's participation in World Hunger Sunday, World Renew will use our gifts in Jesus' name to combat poverty, disaster and injustice around the world equipping those in need with the skills and knowledge required to move beyond these barriers. Please give generously of your time, prayers, talents, and financial gifts to help those facing hunger and poverty and to encourage them, with God's help, so that they too can have a life filled with hope and promise.

November 10: E4C Women’s Emergency Accommodation Shelter -- A homeless shelter open 24/7, it is their last refuge. Women often arrive without any possessions, income, or supportive relationships. They could be suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness, recently discharged from the hospital with nowhere else to go, or escaping prostitution. At WEAC they are provided with three meals, a bed off the floor, a set of hygiene products and clothes, to meet their most immediate basic needs. Once basic needs are addressed, WEAC focuses on assisting women to exit into their own permanent housing. An Outreach Worker and Placement Coordinator work as a team to help the women become healthy both physically and mentally. The team supports women in recovery, works towards ensuring women are on the right medication, connects women with resources and provides income options so they have the best chance of success when they leave WEAC. The walls of WEAC provide a temporary refuge of support and dignity. By affirming the humanity of homeless women, E4C aspires to help each woman to rediscover their own hopes and dreams and take steps toward ending their homelessness. Your donation will help to make a difference for some of Edmonton's most vulnerable women.

November 17: Mustard Seed -- Founded in 1984, The Mustard Seed is a Christian organization that serves people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Calgary and Edmonton. Its mission is to “build hope and well being for our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus “Love.” In Edmonton, Mustard Seed provides food, shelter, clothing, counselling, housing assistance, employment coaching, and spiritual care to people with low income, and its kitchen serves between 250-300 meals daily. Over 7,000 clients are helped each year through these programs. The Mustard Seed also operates Westwood Manor, a 20-unit affordable housing program delivered to chronically homeless men and women. Clients at Westwood Manor have access to on site housing support workers 24/7. On May 18, 2017, the Mustard Seed announced that Mosaic Centre will become a part of the Mustard Seed. Mosaic Centre opened in 2009 as a resource centre in Northeast Edmonton, serving people affected by poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The Mustard Seed anticipates reaching more individuals in need as a result of this merger

November 24: Hope Mission -- Hope Mission is a not-for-profit Christian social care agency founded in 1929 in Edmonton, Alberta. It exists to serve, strengthen and uplift men, women, youth and children through the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Each day over 500 impoverished and homeless men, women and children are blessed as they come to Hope Mission for basic and emergency care and shelter. Over 1000 meals are provided, and counselling and referral services are available. Hope Mission operates an inner-city community church and a 24/7 rescue van to provide emergency care for people in need. Specialized care and treatment is offered for men and women through faith-based addiction treatment programs. In addition, Hope Mission facilitates an after school recreation and hot meal program for children, summer camps for inner-city children and youth, and operates a year-round Youth Sports Centre. Please give generously to help Hope Mission provide compassionate care and hope to hurting, hungry and homeless people in Edmonton.

“Second Bag” (blue bag) collection is for the church budget – We as a congregation are committed to Inglewood's annual church budget which includes:

Salaries and Benefits – for ministry staff, Pastor, Worship Director, and Office Administrator.

General Expenses – which includes the cost of congregational programs, children and youth ministry programs, worship services, outreach activities, office supplies, hospitality, janitorial care and supplies, and telephone, internet, live streaming and utilities services.

Ministry Shares – which is a proven, cost-sharing method for Churches to work together to support a variety of Denominational and Classical ministries.

Building Projects – which includes computer related costs, and building maintenance and repair costs.

Please give generously to this cause so that we will be able to honour our financial commitments to Inglewood CRC, Classis Alberta North and the Christian Reformed denomination.