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CAMP SHALOM SUMMER STAFF
– Camp Shalom is looking for more male counselors to join our staff this summer. If you love Jesus and like working with kids or individuals with special needs, then this might be for you. All positions are paid and you must be 17 before Dec. 31st, 2016 to apply. Visit www.countrysidecamp.com to apply.

LIBERTAS MALE CHOIR – With guests, the Urker Mans Formatie (UMF), under the direction of Martin Mans accompanied by Mark Brandwijk and Hendrik Van Veen, present a special concert series in June: June 15, 7:30 pm, UMF with Sursum Corda at First CRC Sarnia; June 16, 7:30 pm, UMF with Libertas at Free Reformed Church of Vineland; June 17, 7:00 p.m UMF with Libertas and special guests, Momentum Choir directed by Mendelt Hoekstra at Redeemer College, Ancaster; June 18, 7:30 pm, UMF with Libertas at Metropolitan United Church, Toronto. Tickets online at libertasvoices.com, or at the door. Adult $20, Youth (14 and under) $10, under 10 free. For information email info@libertasvoices.com or call 905-522-0001.

Pray for the Gathering – As you are aware, the CRCNA Canada Gathering is meeting on May 6-8 at Wilfrid Laurier University.The purpose is to connect and inspire local, regional, and denominational ministries by sharing our stories and ministry priorities and imagining our shared future. Would you please pray for this conference? Remember the delegates, planning committee, and a meaningful outcome for the conference. If you would like to be part of a prayer team praying offsite during the conference, please email revmartinboardman@gmail.com.

Update from Missionaries Max and Kina

Processed with MOLDIV

BUILDING BRIDGES STRATFORD, APRIL,2016,

It has been more than twenty years since we first felt called to get involved with working on a field as missionaries. God had blessed our business and we wanted to give back a portion of His blessings. Max had been to the Dominican Republic with a group from our Stratford church in 1991 and in 1993 Max encouraged me to go and the rest became history.

We took our four youngest children there as our oldest daughter was married and had started her own family. Thinking that our funds would last for a year, we settled in Santo Domingo where we house -sat for missionaries on home service. During that first year, we were approached by other missionaries asking us to join them in their mission work and not leave when our funds ran low.

Visits were made with staff and the twelve families there at that time in 1993. Shortly after our first return back to Canada, we visited with Christian Reformed World Mission staff in Grand Rapids and in Burlington. Both offices agreed to hire the van Tils full-time and off we went to the field.

I had been home-schooling in Canada already and school came with us to the field. We were given a newly renovated home where we lived for the next 14 years. Max, being the coordinator and organizer of work teams and Kina the teacher and home maker, has caused many people to visit us while working with Max. Hospitality is one of our gifts and the children participated in serving the guests. Thousands of guests have been to our home for a meal, a snack or a time to heal after a fall or other health issues.

In November 2013, Kina had a serious accident in Edmonton and therefore hasn’t been able to function as before. Even visiting a mission field causes too much strain on her injured brain. Struggles with balance, short-term memory loss, no taste and no smell are all side effects of these brain injuries. Needless to say that Max has had his hands full with extra work, but at the same time missing Kina and all the little things she takes care of. It’s been a rather trying time for our family.Age is also playing a role in our ministry work and we would like to leave this with the Lord. He has a plan and we don’t have to decide for Him. Somehow, it always works out and therefore we are not concerned about this part at all. We do know that our time has come to a close and we have grateful hearts for all these years the Lord has allowed us to work in His field.

There are no words that would properly express our thanks to all of you. Our hearts are overflowing with gratefulness to the Lord for the great memories, the fun times with all of you, the support and your prayers. The power of prayer is a great tool and is used often when all else fails. As we slow down with our mission endeavors, Max has still a few commitments until April 2017.He will follow up on these, but as far as your financial support is concerned, this will not be necessary anymore. There are enough funds for Max to finish his commitments thanks to your generosity.

In closing, we want you to know how much we have enjoyed and appreciated your part in our mission work for 23 years. God has been faithful and has brought this ministry to a satisfying closure for us. We can only look back and praise Him for taking care of us during all these years.

In His grip, always,

Max and Kina
Matthew 5:16 To God be the glory; great things he has done.

Bill C-14 – Physician Assisted Death Legislation

Please find this article from CRCNA regarding Physician Assisted Death Legislation in Canada.

Note – you will also find a link to our local MPP – Alex Nuetall

In February 2015 the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the existing laws on euthanasia and assisted suicide and gave the Federal Government a deadline to replace those laws. That deadline expires on June 6, 2016. Since the change in government there has been intensive study and debate on these issues that have culminated in the release of Bill C-14. In the next several weeks (late April through early May) Members of Parliament will be reflecting on this bill and making a decision. As a Christian Reformed church/Reformed Church of America, we want you to know that you as citizens now have an important opportunity to express your concerns on this important legislation.

In Bill C-14 the Government is addressing the Supreme Court requirements (to make assisted death legal in Canada) in a measured way, by proposing strict limits on access to medically assisted death. This legislation is by no means perfect, but it provides a first step to avoiding a dangerous legal vacuum (i.e. no restrictions on assisted death) that would result if no law is passed by June 6. In recent submissions to government the Centre for Public Dialogue has argued that if medically assisted death must be a legal reality that legislation and policy should: protect vulnerable people from involuntary euthanasia; protect the conscience rights of medical care providers and institutions; be subject to careful tracking and legislative review; and enhance palliative care options.

Bill C-14 provisions that we’re watching:

  • As it stands Bill C-14 does not make clear provisions for conscience protection for medical care providers and institutions. It leaves these protections to ‘non-legislative’ measures that are to come through discussion and regulation with medical associations and provinces. We will be asking for clearer legislative provisions for conscience protection.
  • C-14 restricts eligibility for assisted death to people who are near the end of life. This is a stronger restriction than more permissive ideas floated by a Parliamentary Committee earlier this year (i.e. access for ‘mature minors’ and persons with mental illness).
  • The provisions for informed consent in the Bill provide protections for vulnerable people. Disability advocates argue that these provisions should be strengthened with clear commitments to screening for vulnerability to outside influence favouring assisted death.
  • Bill C-14 makes provisions for the collection of data on assisted death and a 5-year review of the legislation. Thoughtful tracking and analysis of this data will reveal the legal and ethical challenges that are likely to emerge, challenges which can be addressed in robust public dialogue in the review period.

In the course of our work with Parliamentarians on this issue for the last few months, MPs have told us that they are hearing very little from their constituents on the issue of assisted death.  We encourage you to share your interest and concern on this issue with your MP in the next weeks as they debate Bill C-14. In fact, April 23-May 1 MPs will be in your community for a ‘constituency week’ and could take a meeting with you.  Constructive and respectful dialogue on assisted death right now is:

  • an important means to avoid a dangerous legal vacuum; and
  • a great opportunity to speak in support of compassion at the end of life, the protection of vulnerable people, and the protection of conscience.

For further information and action ideas citizens can check on these resources:

A collection of our recent interactions with government on the issue of assisted death:
https://www.crcna.org/Canada/social-justice-canada/life-issues-abortion-euthanasia

Commentary of the Canadian Council on Disabilities on Bill C-14 and the “Vulnerable Persons Standard”
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/humanrights/endoflife/Vulnerable-Persons-Standard-March2016

Medically assisted death is an ethically complex, sensitive issue that requires thoughtful dialogue. These next few weeks are a time for prayer for our elected leaders, and for constructive citizenship. Please pray and act as you feel led.

Serving Christ with you,

        
Rev. Darren Roorda              Rev. Marijke Strong
Director of Canadian Ministries              Executive Secretary
Christian Reformed Church              Regional Synod of Canada
             Reformed Church in America

 

Rev. Mark Stephenson Mike Hogeterp
Director Director
Disability Concerns Centre for Public Dialogue
CRC and RCA