News

In Prince Edward Island, public health standards have asked for gatherings of 50 or fewer. Charlottetown Christian Reformed Church decided to host satellite sites so their entire congregation can worship in distanced groups each Sunday.

Meeting by video conference Oct. 14-16, the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church reviewed planned new job descriptions for restructured positions, and addressed unity and diversity as part of its agenda.

From 90 minutes on Unity and Diversity Engagement to approving a full-time race relations leadership position in Canada, members of the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates had anti-racism efforts on several parts of its agenda.

In Oregon and California annual summer wildfires hit close to home for Christian Reformed congregations Sunnyslope CRC, Fairfield CRC, and Napa Valley Community Church.

Vogel Center Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Mich., will host its third-annual harvest party Oct. 17.

As educators face unexpected challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic, members of River Rock Community Church in Rockford, Mich., are ‘adopting’ teachers at two nearby elementary schools to offer monthly encouragement.

Gayla R. Postma, The Banner’s longtime news editor, is retiring effective Oct. 30.

In Michigan and in Iowa two Christian Reformed congregations have invited others to join them in corporate prayer.

At Lady Flower Gardens in northeast Edmonton, Alta., the contributions of vulnerable people are valued in the work of community agriculture.

North Hills Christian Reformed Church in Troy, Mich., hosted a traveling art exhibit in September, showcasing work from participants of Crossroads Prison Ministry’s correspondence Bible study course.

Rolling Acres Christian Reformed Church in Mason City, Iowa, has a professional radio DJ among its members. Harry O has regular podcast chats with his pastor, Phil Boender, welcoming a different church member to the microphone each week.

Hope Community Church in Riverside, Calif., has been hosting parking lot worship services, with the help of an FM transmitter, in order to stay connected in person while maintaining a healthy distance.

Bethel CRC and Wolf Creek Community Church, two Christian Reformed congregations in Lacombe, Alta., hosted a one-day immersive Bible story experience to replace their usual Vacation Bible School during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the Grand Rapids Public Schools opened with only online learning for the first nine weeks of this academic year, First Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., decided to support students in their community with an in-person daily homework club.

Several Christian Reformed congregations in Canada, seeking to deepen understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit, have found help from Dunamis Fellowship Canada.

When Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., installed new office bearers in June, a woman who is in a same-sex marriage was among the candidates for deacon.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, a worship team made up of members from Willoughby Christian Reformed Church in Langley, B.C., and Gateway and Living Hope CRCs in Abbotsford, B.C. shared in worship from the peak of Vedder mountain in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

John Tong co-founded the Chinese Christian Reformed Church in Monterey Park, Calif., and served there for 25 years. Known for his love and care for the lonely, forsaken, and outcast, Tong died June 20.

The Christian Reformed Church’s Youth Ambassador of Reconciliation program, geared for young adults and focusing on an Indigenous perspective, took place this year as an online event.

While closed church buildings affected the typical distribution of print material in this COVID-19 time, one northern B.C. pastor had a solution. As an avid cyclist, Joel Ringma decided to deliver the magazines himself.