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News 2024 Braille Resources Find Home Braille resources, including a Bible, some creeds and confessions, and a machine to create braille resources have been shared with CRC members for use in ministry. Pastors Gather at Revelation 7 Retreat In April, over 40 pastors gathered in Anaheim, Calif., for the Revelation 7 Pastors Retreat. Thrive Hosts Creative Worship Listening Session What if we engaged in worship without relying on words? Breaking Barriers to Accessibility in Ministry It takes intentionality and a willingness to examine the barriers to access that exist in our systems, our architecture, our communication, and our attitudes. Bringing Leaders and Congregations Together On Ascension Day three congregations in Kalamazoo, Mich., joined together for worship. It was an example of what can happen when church leaders connect. Thrive Launches Updated Retirement Resource A newly updated resource from Thrive is designed to support pastors who are asking questions and navigating challenges about retirement. Scholarship Recipients Host Chapel Service Two recipients of a Multiracial Scholarship from Thrive helped lead a weekly chapel service at Calvin Theological Seminary. CRC Members Gather for Renewal Sixty-one people from five classes met in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minn., to study Scripture, share their stories, and discover where God is at work both in their congregations and in the denomination as a whole. Examining Your Own Dance Floor In the years of serving in my role as a Youth and Emerging Adult ministry consultant, I have had many conversations with youth leaders, youth pastors, councils and congregations about the complexities of finding, hiring/calling, and/or recruiting people Leading Worship in a Trauma-informed Way The question led all of us into a moment of silence and deep reflection. Resources for Trinity Sunday 2024 Trinity Sunday falls on the Sunday after Pentecost. In 2024, that day will be May 26. Disability Advocate Calls for Inclusion Greg Yoder’s goal is for every congregation in his classis to have a disability advocate by the end of 2024. Prayer for Asylum Seekers at the US Border "I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." (Matthew 25) Renewal to Be Focus of Classis Gatherings Over the next 18 months, 10 events will be held in various locations with an emphasis on storytelling and church renewal. The Future Looks Bright World-changers from every generation live and work among us. Here are a few young people we’ve seen do interesting and inspiring things for God’s kingdom. A Tale of Two Congregations Since 2021, St. Luke AME Zion Church has been sharing Calvin CRC’s sanctuary in Grand Rapids, Mich. The two congregations have even started joint services. Extend Your Influence and Impact for Generations to Come: Giving to Thrive in Your Will Have you considered giving to Thrive in your will? By doing so, you will model to your loved ones a steadfast commitment to financial stewardship, charitable giving and building God’s Kingdom. Pastors Practice Spiritual Resting When busyness is worn as a badge of honor, the choice to seek rest can feel counterintuitive or even wasteful. Deep rest requires intentionality, self-compassion, and practice—lots of practice. Thrive Cosponsors MLK Celebration A rescheduled Martin Luther King, Jr., Day community worship event turned out to be a special occasion filled with faith, justice, and unity. Universal Design: A Church Building for Everybody Monroe Community Church (CRC) in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, had the unique opportunity of renovating a 17,400 sf, uninsulated, raw, 1963 industrial building into their new church home. Continued Prayers for Peace in the Middle East The past few months in the Middle East have been marked by intense violence, death and destruction. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in close to over 23,000 people killed and over 59,000 wounded. Providing Support on the Path to Stability “Probably the most difficult thing in my role is to decenter myself and to find the center in the other person and in God's work in them.” 2023 Who We Are and What We Do Over our nearly 170-year history as a denomination, we’ve started several ministries to help us follow God’s call and serve as God’s ambassadors in the world. Cohort Completes BIPOC Leadership Program On November 29, seven women celebrated their successful completion of the inaugural BIPOC Leadership Development Program with the CRCNA. STEPping Into Trauma-Informed Ministry Jordan loved her church community and looked forward to coming to church each Sunday. One Sunday, she arrived a little early and joined a group that had gathered in the foyer to chat before the service. Worship Resources for Abuse Awareness Sunday 2024 very year, the Christian Reformed Church sets aside one Sunday in the year to acknowledge and recognize the painful reality of abuse. This year, Abuse Awareness Sunday is April 14, 2024. Expressing Faith in Jesus I wanted to tell you about my son, Elijah. He's 18 now and he has autism as well as Dandy-Walker syndrome. He recently made profession of faith at our church! Thriving Together Initiative Continues to Second Phase Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc., the CRCNA will continue its program for pastors in transitional moments for another five years. FAQs: Non-Cash Assets & Life Income Gifts to Thrive Donating to Thrive - Questions and Answers ‘A Grace-Filled Process’ through an Outside Voice Immanuel CRC in Hudsonville, Mich., gained valuable help and insight by consulting with Thrive’s pastor and church support services. Conference Launches New Season of Generation Spark Mentors and mentees from various churches came together for three days of storytelling, training, and discussion on how best to create friendships between generations. Thrive Disability Training Promotes Belonging A Thrive training on Oct. 11 focused on nurturing belonging for all people in and around faith communities. Caring for Volunteers Many congregations are struggling to find and retain volunteers. Thrive offers a workshop to assist churches in their volunteer programs. Smart Ways to Give to Thrive: Jim and Pat's Story Central to Jim and Pat's marriage is a shared commitment to serve and honor the Lord in every facet of their lives – including with their finances. Thriving Together Initiative Reaches Conclusion The CRCNA recently concluded a five-year program funded by a $998,990 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help pastors thrive in ministry. Connecting and Resourcing for Safer Churches Carolyn, Natasha, and Abby are starting off their roles as classis safe church coordinators by connecting to churches and improving access to resources. 2022 Changes to Several CRCNA Ministries Nine ministries of the CRCNA are undergoing a reorganization focused on better serving local congregations, increasing efficiency, and reducing overall costs.