https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Sat, 20 Apr 2024 00:41:14 +0000 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:38:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/leadership-ministers-disabilities If you'd prefer to listen to the post, use this video.  Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/leadership-ministers-disabilities Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:38:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/dance-assumptions When I meet someone new and have a longer time together than a nod and a smile, it feels like a dance of assumptions, teaching, and entry into a new place. Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/dance-assumptions Thu, 30 May 2019 14:39:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/discipleship-and-ministry This morning I watched online as hundreds gathered in a church in Trosley-Breuil to celebrate the life and ministry of Jean Vanier, and to commit his spirit to God and his body to the ground. The service was a beautiful gathering of L’Arche friends from around the world, Catholic leaders, br Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/discipleship-and-ministry Thu, 16 May 2019 17:39:42 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/living-faithfully-and-well-together-20th Last month, over 90 people gathered at an Inter-classis Safe Church Conference, an event that Classis Huron, has been holding for 20 years. This event was very well organized and included many learning materials thanks to the dedication of Clas Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/policy-prevention/living-faithfully-and-well-together-20th Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:28:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/family-and-friends-life Cindy Schreutelkamp loves her family. She has four kids and three grandkids. She serves at ClearView Church where she loves “walking with and equipping youth to take their next steps with Jesus Christ." She lives with one of her sons, Zachary, in Oakville where he works at Kings Ch Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/intellectual-disabilities/family-and-friends-life Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:09:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/updates-safe-church-coordinators-hamilton On January 21 we had another gathering of Safe Church Leaders at Meadowlands Fellowship CRC. It was well attended by 24 people and represented 13 different churches.  Al Karsten https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/updates-safe-church-coordinators-hamilton Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:58:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/holy-impatience-holy-incarnation John 1:1-5, 14 A favorite Advent hymn of mine is “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” written by Charles Wesley. It sings of the humanity and divinity of Christ: Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/general-worship/holy-impatience-holy-incarnation Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:00:43 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/violence-against-women-its-mens-issue As Christians, we are blessed with such rich scriptures. One such scripture we reflect on often within the ministry of Disability Concerns is from Paul’s letter from the church in Corinth. He reminds them that they all make up the same Body of Christ, united across distance and tim Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/gender-concerns/violence-against-women-its-mens-issue Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:07:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/theologies-disabilities This week, I participated in a webinar about theologies of disabilities led by Tom Reynolds. He is an associate professor in theology and vice principal at Emmanuel College in Toronto. Through his experiences with his son who lives with autism as well as living with his own depression, Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/theology/theologies-disabilities Thu, 15 Nov 2018 16:47:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/evening-tarana-burke-metoo-founder Last year, the #metoo hashtag went viral, thrusting a vital conversation about sexual violence into the public dialogue. Tarana Burke said, “One year ago, millions raised their hands—and they are still raised.”  Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/evening-tarana-burke-metoo-founder Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:26:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/ask-him-he-age-he-will-speak-himself-john-921 Last weekend, I had two separate encounters where my voice was either not heard or not wanted.  This was not the first time that has happened, and I know it will not be the last.  This is a common occurrence for many folks with disabilities (be they physical, developmental, and/or emoti Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/disability-concerns/advocacy/ask-him-he-age-he-will-speak-himself-john-921 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 13:19:02 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/impacts-pornography-and-safe-churchs-response “Statistics surrounding the viewing of porn are staggering.  They point to a sobering picture that includes our faith community,” says Faye Martin, Safe Church Coordinator in British Columbia, who organized several viewings of “Over 18” this past year.  Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/impacts-pornography-and-safe-churchs-response Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:51:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/what-lessons-can-we-learn-whats-happened In April, Bill Hybels resigned from Willow Creek and the church promised investigation into the new allegations against him.  In the beginning, he denied the truth of the women’s stories.  Earlier this month, Pastor Heather Larson and the church elders also resigned; they had backed Hyb Miriam Spies https://network.crcna.org/topic/leadership/leadership-development/missionvision/what-lessons-can-we-learn-whats-happened Wed, 15 Aug 2018 13:50:48 +0000