It’s no accident that our congregation has been placed where it has been on the corner of 11th and Victoria in East Vancouver. Although our members live across Metro Vancouver, we have a shared concern for what happens in this neighbourhood where we gather together.
The Garden of Eatin’
Folks from First CRC and neighbours have gardened together in our community garden for more than 12 years. It’s been a great way for neighbours to connect while we care for this part of our beautiful world. For more information, contact garden.van1crc@gmail.com
We’ve made some updates along Victoria Drive to make space for neighbours to rest, learn, and connect. Walk on by, exchange a book in our little library, have a seat on one of the benches, and enjoy the space.
As part of connecting with our neighbours living at or using the services of the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Welcome Centre, we provide space for a “Tea, Coffee, and English Conversation” time for newcomers-to-Canada, which includes transitional English classes (beginner and intermediate). This space and time is hosted each week by the Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer (more details below). Please note that our English classes are currently full.
We co-host a clothing bank for refugee newcomers, available by appointment.
Each week we take an offering for a cause that aligns with our values. These include The Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Union Gospel Mission, World Renew, Indian Residential School Survivors Society and more!
Here are a few faith-based non-profits in Vancouver that we love to support (click on their headings to visit their websites):
We partner with other Christian Reformed Churches in BC (Classis BC Northwest and Classis BC Southeast) to support the CRSM’s work of welcoming newcomers-to-Canada who arrive as refugees and encouraging, equipping and mobilizing congregations in their welcome. At First CRC, due to our unique placement next to the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Welcome Centre, this partnership with the CRSM helps us support Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and Refugee Claimants by offering weekly English Conversation times and transitional English classes, assisting newcomers with welcome packages during their first weeks in Canada, and learning from newcomers as they become part of our neighbourhoods and communities.
Living in such a beautiful place highlights for us the wonder of creation. A Rocha is an international Christian environmental organization that promotes God’s love toward the created world through scientific research, environmental education, community-based conservation projects and sustainable agriculture. And their weekly CSA with drop-offs in East Van are great!
The Ministry to Seafarers in Vancouver is a chaplaincy ministry focused on support for and outreach to seafarers who pass through the Port of Vancouver, Canada. At present 1 full-time chaplain is employed throughout the year. Many years an intern is also hired to serve during the summer months. We partner with the Mission to Seafarers (Anglican Church) and Stella Maris (Roman Catholic Church), serving at the Waterfront Centre (downtown Vancouver) and at Roberts Bank (Tsawwassen).