�㽶��Ƶ

Although I cannot yet see the fruition, beneath the surface seeds are already germinating, preparing to poke their heads out of the soil when the time is right, bursting forth into new plants. Within weeks, buds and leaves will appear on the same trees that now look so dim. Rain will fall, the puddles becoming homes for small frogs. By the middle of June, flowers will abound.

Begun as a three-year pilot project in 12 classes (U.S. Upper Midwest, California, and Southern Ontario), the goal of Connections is to bring denominational resources to Christian Reformed churches in ways that are responsive and easily accessed. 

Much of the conversation between Gibson and Jennings centered around the topic of theological education and how many scholars today are wrestling with one big question for themselves. As for Jennings, he pursues “the question of God and race.”

One of the five desired futures expressed in our denominational ministry plan, Our Journey 2020, focuses on collaboration.

Two best friends anticipate graduation and divergent paths in this YA novel for teens and adults alike. 

Twenty-five years after the Rwandan genocide, a Netflix series explores its painful legacy. 

Our church has a lot of programs for children and teens but nothing for those of us who are retirement age. I feel as if I don’t count. Shouldn’t the church have things for us too?

Thank you so much for making Joanne De Jonge’s kids’ pages available for printing (“Just for Kids: A Baker’s Dozen,” free PDF download available at thebanner.org). I have been meaning to request permission to copy some of the children’s pages from The Banner to share with the girls in our GEMS Club. The ones you made available are some of my favorites.

Nobody imagined what would happen as the result of Ruth gleaning in Boaz’s field.

A hospital chaplain described as thoughtful and a man without pretense, Steven Van Heest passed away on March 10. He was 66.

Allen Bultman was a humble, hardworking, and compassionate pastor who served Christian Reformed congregations since 1959. He passed away on March 8 at the age of 89.

World War II veteran, military policeman, minister, chaplain, pastoral counselor, and missionary Ben Ypma lived a full and joyful life. He died on March 7, a month after his hundredth birthday.

The Banner has received Awards of Merit for a denominational magazine in both digital and print categories, and seven higher goals awards in design, individual articles, blogs, and poetry published in 2018.

Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Here is the report of classis meetings of the past few months.

For the third year, groups in Medicine Hat, Alta., concerned for the state of the family, held an annual conference. Medicine Hat Christian Reformed Church was the 2019 host.

Seven classes (regional groups of churches) have registered their objection to three of the 32 recommendations coming from the Synod Review Task Force to Synod 2019, the annual leadership meeting of the Christian Reformed Church.

Die-hard fans and curious newcomers alike will find something to like in Weezer’s 13th album.

From the beloved author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, a touching novel for young readers about life after loss.

Synod 2016 recognized the financial gap in the ministry shares system and asked that the program be reconsidered. It instructed staff to prioritize and evaluate existing programs and to develop a proposal for reimagining ministry shares. This proposal will be brought to Synod 2019 for discussion and decision. 

Two-time Dove Award winner Meredith Andrews offers truly God-centered worship with her first ever solo live album

When I Pray for You would make an excellent gift to parents of newborns and to children at the time of their baptism

The Indigenous Family Centre in Winnipeg, Man., an urban aboriginal ministry operated by the Christian Reformed Church, had some help repurposing rooms this winter, creating space to promote healing and spiritual growth.

A state championship in boys basketball in March makes three sports in which Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Mich., has won the state title this academic year.