Alberta News

The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada is part of one of the largest ecumenical efforts in Canada to help families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We are partnering with the Calgary Chapter of KAIROS Canada and the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) to provide families in Calgary with affordable housing by raising money for Acadia Place.

This initiative: “A Place to Call Home – Acadia Place” was announced in Calgary on March 2.

10 denominations representing a total of 130 churches in Calgary, including CBWC churches, are joining with KAIROS Calgary and the CHF to raise $1.5 million to reduce the mortgage on Acadia Place, a 58-unit housing complex purchased by the CHF. By cutting the mortgage in half and reducing the financing costs, the CHF will be able to significantly reduce monthly rents on a sustainable basis, making them more affordable for the longterm to families in need.

“We have two goals,” said Larry Pearce, who represents the CBWC at KAIROS Calgary in his role (that he shares with Lynn) as the CBWC’s Coordinators of Refugees and Uprooted Peoples Issues. “We want to pay down the mortgage to ensure that rents are affordable in the long term, and we want to engage the local churches so they get involved in direct volunteer work,” such as providing support to families or practical help like minor renovations, building a children’s playground or other community-building tasks.

Heartland News

Bethlehem Aboriginal Fellowship has decided to close its church building – but to continue worshipping together and offering its many ministries to Winnipeg’s inner city.

In the winter of 2010, the stately BAF building, which is owned by the CBWC, suffered severe flood damage to the sanctuary because of snow drifts that leaked into the church attic. Although progress has been made on renovations, Pastor Dietrich Desmarais estimates that $150,000 is needed to complete the repairs.

“Probably the overriding factor [in the decision] is that the whole effort of trying to keep the building operational for the community has been such a long-term journey for us. It was such a big event,” Dietrich said. “I believe people have the faith to raise the money but the energy for the personnel is the gulf we have to cross. We love the work, we love the community and the ministries are going great, but we don’t have the human resources.”

Although the congregation has been putting its shoulder to the wheel to begin renovations and keep the church building going, through a time of prayer and fasting they came to the consensus that the building couldn’t be sustained.

CBWC News

Now is the time for churches to apply for grants to hire students as summer staff.

Churches wishing to hire extra summer staff for urban camping initiatives, vacation Bible schools and other activities can get help with the cost of wages by applying for summer temporary employment grants from their provincial government or the federal government.

Summer employment programs typically require churches to hire students full-time for a minimum of 6 weeks and to pay them at least the provincial minimum wage. The government programs subsidize these wages, dramatically reducing the costs to churches. Typically, the church would pay the wages and be reimbursed by the government.

Most provinces have some sort of employment creation, job training and wage subsidy programs. As well, the federal government offers wage subsidies. The Canada Summer Jobs Program has information available at this link.

Go to provincial websites for information on the programs each province offers.