DEACON'S CORNER FOR CONSCIENTIOUS GIVING

                                                                                     May 2025

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

“First Bag” Collection Causes   

May 04: Diaconal Ministries Canada-New Ground -- NewGround is funded primarily through this offering. The annual fundraising goal for NewGround is around $150,000. New Ground partners with churches across Canada to help them roll up their sleeves, break new mission ground, nurturing Spirit-led ideas into healthy ministries that bear everlasting fruit. We believe God is always at work and He calls churches to follow Him into their communities to share Christ’s transformational love with each and every person. Cities and neighbourhoods should be impacted and blessed through the social action and thoughtful, cultural engagement of local Christians. “New Ground enables churches to be courageous and creative with ministry opportunities in their community. It is important to note that NewGround (formerly Operation Manna) does not receive funding from our ministry share model. It has its own budget and designated funding stream. NewGround in partnership with Mosaic House, Trinity & Centrepointe CRCs, funds “The Vault Youth Drop-In Centre” in Londonderry.

May 11: Rehoboth Christian Ministries -- Rehoboth's vision is that, "by the grace of God, all persons with disabilities have a meaningful and dignified place in society where they can live, contribute and fellowship with others." To that end, Rehoboth conveys God’s love to persons with disabilities and their families by “making room” for them through personal support, advocacy, and public education, as well as by providing them with opportunities for personal growth and meaningful participation in society. Through its programs Rehoboth offers residential support, vocational training, supported employment and respite services.

May 18: ThereforeGo Ministries--Dynamic Youth Ministries -- previously known as Youth Unlimited is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization that focuses on assisting local congregations in youth ministry. Knowing that it is difficult to carry out youth ministry alone, this organization works to encourage, support, equip, and partner with youth workers, volunteers, churches and congregations across North America to challenge youth to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and transform this world through Him. ThereforeGo Ministries offers a variety of resources and has designed life-changing programs, leadership training, and assessment tools for youth and youth ministry workers. They also provide week-long mission (SERVE) trips for teens in junior high and high school. Participants on these trips learn and work to revitalize communities, show compassion for the marginalized, care for creation, provide recreation for children, and share the gospel. Your donation to ThereforeGo Ministries will be used to provide support and training for youth ministries and will also assist teens to join with God and a local church in the renewal of all things.

May 25: Ministry Shares --Denominational -- This idea of a “crowd funding” is something that the Christian Reformed Church has known for a long time. Already in 1862, a need was recognized by congregations of the newly formed Christian Reformed Church in North America to share their resources in order to do more and greater ministry in whatever part of the world to which God called them. Over the years this program has had different names, but is now known as “ministry shares” to better reflect the collaboration and impact that these shared dollars have in making joint ministry possible. Through Denominational ministry shares, we are able to collectively:*Train and credential pastors to be Ministers of the Word*Help all of us take part in God's mission--in our congregations, communities, and in countries faraway*Equip churches to be places that welcome and help people of all ages, abilities, and ethnic backgrounds to grow in faith and become leaders in their congregations and communities*Creatively use media to share the Gospel, disciple believers and strengthen the global church*Support chaplains as they minister to people in times of crisis*Assist congregations through programs for church revitalization, pastor renewal, ethnic leadership development, and so much more. It's an amazingly efficient system with low overhead costs that enables every CRC member to stretch their dollars further and participate in a variety of ministries more effectively and efficiently than any of us could do on our own.

“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 Church 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 so that we will be able to honour our financial commitments to Inglewood CRC, Classis Alberta North and the Christian Reformed denomination.