Relying on the Holy Spirit, Diaconal Ministries Canada exists to inspire, empower, and equip deacons as they animate their churches to join in God’s transforming work in communities across Canada.
Diaconal Ministries Canada is a partner agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
Hello Melanie! We commend your desire to engage with your community this summer, despite the ongoing pandemic. We saw some great help on this website: https://www.genonministries.org/collections/summer-resources-for-intergenerational-ministry.
As much as possible it would be wonderful to offer in-person VBS. This may require smaller groups meeting in various locations across your city, also known as Backyard VBS! How wonderful it would be to have your members get to know their actual neighbours while offering this time together, safely of course. This article is great and again, you could adapt it to your context!
Some churches have opted to create a VBS-in-a-box type ministry, which would put more onus on parents to do the activities with their child; not a bad thing either! Another one did a one-night event "Under the Stars". Again, you'd have to adapt for your location, budget, amount of volunteers, but including your entire congregation in reaching out to their neighbours is a win-win!
If you ever have any other questions about community engagement, or would like more help, you can reach me at [email protected]. Blessings as you plan!
-Erin
(We don't know if you are in Canada or in the US or what region but we know you'll adapt your VBS to local health guidelines, rules and restrictions.)
Hi Vicki, Diaconal Ministries recently put together this resource: https://diaconalministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alternative-Giving-During-COVID-19_FINAL.pdf. It's found on our Covid-19 landing page.
It is primarily for churches who have never done online giving and are looking into it for the first time. These are some of the best options out there but each church and context is different so churches should decide what would work best for them.
Hi Carol! Head over to our website for some help with Benevolence. You can also reach out to our staff who can answer specific questions and/or help you flush out any ideas you have! Tammy would love to talk to you: [email protected]
Hi Jon, not sure if this is what you're looking for, but my team gave the following suggestions:
1. Citizens for Public Justice have a few videos on their youtube channel about poverty and income inequality in Canada. It's not a series but they could be helpful? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2OLseVD-5DpzC6eZIr6-gmCgLfTiwfBH
2. International Justice Mission also has great small group resources and bible studies on poverty, violence and justice.
3. The Lupton Center course "Seeking Shalom" helps understand poverty - not so much the other social classes.
When we read the Form for the Ordination of Deacons & Elders and the specific mandate of deacons therein, we see that Deacons are to lead and animate their congregations to do this fine work.
"Deacons serve by leading and equipping the church to minister to its members and the world in a rich diversity of ministries, awakening compassion, demonstrating mercy, seeking justice, and collaborating with God’s Spirit for the transformation of persons and communities...To help them accomplish these tasks, deacons are to identify and develop gifts in both the church and community."
We are all called to the work of Diakonia with the "ordained" Deacons (big 'D') being the equippers and leaders, not just the doers, as Jodi points out. Here at Diaconal Ministries, we call the congregation the "little 'd' deacons".
Ephesians 4:16: "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
A beautiful example of being creative during Covid. A helpful reminder for churches to not only focus on what we don't have and what we can't do but on what we DO have and what can CAN (and get to) do! Thank you for sharing Pastor Mike!
Welcome Jodi! We are excited to work alongside you in this new role and we know you will be a blessing not only to US deacons but also to those of us north of the border!
Thanks for chiming in Scott! We appreciate hearing about your experience with this and I'm sure you made more of an impact than you are letting on :) - Erin
Hey Dave, great question! We also can't wait to hear people's thoughts and experiences; the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Well, hopefully none of them are ugly!)
Posted in: Virtual VBS?
Hello Melanie! We commend your desire to engage with your community this summer, despite the ongoing pandemic. We saw some great help on this website: https://www.genonministries.org/collections/summer-resources-for-intergenerational-ministry.
As much as possible it would be wonderful to offer in-person VBS. This may require smaller groups meeting in various locations across your city, also known as Backyard VBS! How wonderful it would be to have your members get to know their actual neighbours while offering this time together, safely of course. This article is great and again, you could adapt it to your context!
Some churches have opted to create a VBS-in-a-box type ministry, which would put more onus on parents to do the activities with their child; not a bad thing either! Another one did a one-night event "Under the Stars". Again, you'd have to adapt for your location, budget, amount of volunteers, but including your entire congregation in reaching out to their neighbours is a win-win!
If you ever have any other questions about community engagement, or would like more help, you can reach me at [email protected]. Blessings as you plan!
-Erin
(We don't know if you are in Canada or in the US or what region but we know you'll adapt your VBS to local health guidelines, rules and restrictions.)
Posted in: Online Giving Recommendations?
Hi Vicki, Diaconal Ministries recently put together this resource: https://diaconalministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Alternative-Giving-During-COVID-19_FINAL.pdf. It's found on our Covid-19 landing page.
It is primarily for churches who have never done online giving and are looking into it for the first time. These are some of the best options out there but each church and context is different so churches should decide what would work best for them.
Posted in: Request Forms for Benevolence?
Hi Carol! Head over to our website for some help with Benevolence. You can also reach out to our staff who can answer specific questions and/or help you flush out any ideas you have! Tammy would love to talk to you: [email protected]
-Erin
Posted in: Policies for Counseling?
Thank you for this thoughtful response! We'll be sure to share it with the church requesting help.
Posted in: CRCNA Affiliation With International Needs Canada?
Let us know if you need any further assistance Sharon! [email protected]
Posted in: Small Group Video Series on Social Class?
Hi Jon, not sure if this is what you're looking for, but my team gave the following suggestions:
1. Citizens for Public Justice have a few videos on their youtube channel about poverty and income inequality in Canada. It's not a series but they could be helpful? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2OLseVD-5DpzC6eZIr6-gmCgLfTiwfBH
2. International Justice Mission also has great small group resources and bible studies on poverty, violence and justice.
3. The Lupton Center course "Seeking Shalom" helps understand poverty - not so much the other social classes.
--Erin Knight
Posted in: Diakonia: Serving or Sharing?
Thank you for reminding deacons (which is every one of us!) about what real helping looks like; doing ministry with and not for.
Posted in: Deacons: Harbingers of the Kingdom
We agree Inge, many hands are needed!
When we read the Form for the Ordination of Deacons & Elders and the specific mandate of deacons therein, we see that Deacons are to lead and animate their congregations to do this fine work.
"Deacons serve by leading and equipping the church to minister to its members and the world in a rich diversity of ministries, awakening compassion, demonstrating mercy, seeking justice, and collaborating with God’s Spirit for the transformation of persons and communities...To help them accomplish these tasks, deacons are to identify and develop gifts in both the church and community."
We are all called to the work of Diakonia with the "ordained" Deacons (big 'D') being the equippers and leaders, not just the doers, as Jodi points out. Here at Diaconal Ministries, we call the congregation the "little 'd' deacons".
Ephesians 4:16: "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Posted in: From Viewer to Disciple
A beautiful example of being creative during Covid. A helpful reminder for churches to not only focus on what we don't have and what we can't do but on what we DO have and what can CAN (and get to) do! Thank you for sharing Pastor Mike!
Posted in: WITH! A Powerful Word for Community
Welcome Jodi! We are excited to work alongside you in this new role and we know you will be a blessing not only to US deacons but also to those of us north of the border!
Posted in: The Four "F" Words Deacons Utter About Classis and Synod
Thanks for chiming in Scott! We appreciate hearing about your experience with this and I'm sure you made more of an impact than you are letting on :) - Erin
Posted in: What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
Hey Dave, great question! We also can't wait to hear people's thoughts and experiences; the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Well, hopefully none of them are ugly!)