DEACON'S CORNER FOR CONSCIENTIOUS GIVING

                                                                                     December 2024

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

“First Bag” Collection Causes   

December 01: Refugee Sponsorship Committee -- The Inglewood Refugee Sponsorship Committee is a ministry of ICRC under the direction of the deacons, with a mandate to make decisions that fall within council's directive of facilitating refugee sponsorship in ICRC. This involves providing settlement assistance to individuals and families for a minimum of one year, once they have arrived in Canada. The committee also helps coordinate the time, talents and efforts of ICRC which may be required by the sponsored families. All the funds raised by the sponsorship committee go directly to sponsored refugees and are allocated according to a sponsorship cost table developed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

December 8: Resonate Global Mission –Dr. Selena Headley has been immersed in ministry in Cape Town for over 15 years. She will be bringing her experience to the role of Urban Training Collaborative Coordinator throughout eastern and southern Africa. “My passion in ministry is to serve with local leaders who seek the shalom of all who live in the city,” said Selena. “Together we’ll explore and foster positive changes in the spiritual, social, and material well-being of people in the rapidly growing cities of Africa to build God’s beloved community.” In my ministry work I will facilitate capacity-building and learning opportunities for those who are interested or active in poverty alleviation, seeking justice, and community building practices. My work will include conducting research to break down critical issues which hinder community engagement and social transformation with grassroot leaders in church and society. I want to intentionally journey with local leaders, churches and communities through cycles of identification, reflection and action.

December 15: Resonate Global Mission -- Nasser Zand and Sylvie Charliekaram—In 2017, Nasser and Sylvie established “Spiritual Growth Ministry”, a Canadian faith-based ministry. They pioneered a Farsi fellowship ministry for Farsi speaking seekers and Muslim background believers in the diaspora. During the past year the outreach and evangelism work has reached an audience of over 6,000 Farsi speakers worldwide. Nasser’s social media contacts daily receive devotionals, church history lessons/articles in relation to Christianity in Iran. These are shared on the SGM Facebook page and/or on its Telegram Application channels and receive a great response from followers. Note: A diaspora is a large group of people with a similar heritage or homeland who have since moved out to places all over the world.

December 22 Kevin and Liz Schouten -- Most of us know Kevin and Liz, and their daughters; Samantha and Johanna, members of our own congregation. They are now settled into their home in Morrocco. The only way they can keep following this calling is with your support, and they are so grateful for you.

December 29: Edmonton Native Healing Centre -- Who We Are – Our goal is to journey alongside the urban Aboriginal population reconnecting people to culture and ceremony. We firmly believe that our world belongs to God the Creator and through this window of opportunity we can show and teach that the ceremonies of old can be redeemed in Christ. By presenting Christ as the centre of our culture and ceremonies, new life is breathed in to our old ways. The mission of the Edmonton Native Healing Centre is to empower individuals to grow stronger and create vibrant community relationships while honouring their culture through Spiritual development centered in the heart of the Creator. In striving to fulfill its Mission, ENHC serve youth, parents, professionals, low-income people, street people, the church, traditional people, and the immediate Community.

“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.