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.
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 at the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Welcome Centre,, we host a Tea & English Conversation time for newcomers-to-Canada each week in partnership with the Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer (more details below). For more information, contact Dena (dena@firstvan.ca).
We co-host a clothing bank for refugee newcomers, available by appointment. We currently have a need for winter jackets, adult gloves, men’s clothing and umbrellas. If you have questions or items to donate, please contact Dena (dena@firstvan.ca)
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 to support the work of encouraging, equipping and mobilizing congregations in welcoming newcomers-to-Canada who arrived as refugees. At First CRC, due to our unique placement next to the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Welcome Centre, this helps us support Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and Refugee Claimants by offering weekly English Conversation times and transitional English classes, participating in giving Welcome Boxes to newcomers living at the Welcome Centre during their first weeks in Canada, and experiencing the enriching relational connections with newcomers who have become friends.
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).