Dear Friends of Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC),

The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV

AMMiC’s Conviction during the Pandemic

As we all know, since the start of this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted almost every sector of life, be it personal, family, education, economy, political or social interactions. Churches and mission organizations are not exempt. The majority of church worship and fellowship activities have gone online for health and safety reasons. However, as we stay “virtual” for a longer time without in-person interactions, we come to realize that “in-person” relation cannot be replaced by “virtual” exchange. Just as parents cannot satisfy children’s need for love by mere audio-visual communication, nor can lovers sustain their relationship in a virtual manner. “Togetherness” is simply irreplaceable. This is because in God’s creation of the world and humankind, life’s meaning and fulfilment come from in-person relatedness and togetherness; even as God himself dwells among us through the incarnated Jesus Christ, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14b). The good news of the Christian faith is “togetherness,” “God with us.”

For this conviction, although an annual fundraising dinner cannot be held (as the BC health officer advises against mass banquets), the AMMiC Board of Directors resolved to hold an in-person and livestream fundraising gathering this year, on Saturday, October 3, at 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Pacific Time (2:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time). AMMiC will give thanks for God’s grace over the 10 years that have passed, with ministry sharing of our online children’s outreach during the pandemic, the steady development of Mandarin mission, and perseverant ministering to the visible minorities in Canada.

We host the gathering both in-person and livestream because we want to manifest the duality of Jesus’ gospel: his incarnation (in-person) and transcendence over time and space (after his resurrection), which expresses the human and divine nature of the gospel. Since May, Good Shepherd Vancouver (now holding 3 in-person Sunday services each week) have experienced first-hand the revival of the Christian community through serving together in collaboration and mutual support, which brings much joy and enthusiasm. I named this mode of ministry during the pandemic “walking on two legs” that brings about synergistic fellowship life.

How do I give?

Financially speaking, as in previous years, AMMiC has just had enough for our needs last year. Although some church plants are brought down during the pandemic, the majority of AMMiC churches have positive outlook. Nona and I are hopeful yet watching, because we trust God has his will and special mission for us in these challenging times, and we decide to increase our yearly donation to $12,000. The AMMiC fundraising target stays at CAD $150,000 (that provides for AMMiC staff remuneration, leadership training, and funding for new church planting).

The October 3rd in-person ministry sharing and fundraising event will be held at the Anglican Network Church of the Good Shepherd Vancouver, 189 West 11^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Please RSVP to our invitation by email to fundraising@ammic.ca or by phone to 604-303-1135 (maximum seating is 50). If you are not available to attend in-person, you are very welcome to watch the streaming on AMMiC’s YouTube channel or you can find the link on our website, www.ammic.ca.

Please send your donation by cheque made out to AMMiC, mailed to 160-4611 No. 6 Road, Richmond, BC, V6V 2L3. We are in the process of setting up Interac e-Transfer, please contact AMMiC staff members or check the www.ammic.ca/donate for details.

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel.

With every blessing in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Leung
Area Bishop (Asian and Multicultural Ministries), Anglican Network in Canada
President, Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada
Rector, Anglican Network Church of the Good Shepherd

AMMiC 2020 Fundraising Event – Live Stream Online 11 am Pacific Time Saturday, October 3rd, 2020.

To donate, go to www.ammic.ca/donate for more details.

Dear Rectors, Pastors and Church leaders,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has granted us peace and joy during this challenging time!

Lately a few of us have been busy trying to put together a virtual VBS for this summer.  It has been much joy and fun as we try to record the different segments of each VBS station.

You’ll probably ask:

What is the purpose for this virtual VBS? And who are they for? Continue reading →

Click the picture or the following link to the video. (https://youtu.be/gdEinahaPJc)

Learn more about Pentecost from the Children’s Talk presented by Karen and Faith (from Good Shepherd Vancouver).

This video is a production of the Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada. If you would like to use this video as a resource, please e-mail webmaster@ammic.ca for more details.

Dear Parents,

How are you doing? Really, how are you really doing?

We’re all facing the uncertainty of the COVID-19 global pandemic TOGETHER, and I’m sure you’re feeling the pressure every day. We are all tired. I’m sure your family is tired as well. It is obvious that our everyday lives have been changed. And everyone is just trying to navigate life.

Here at AMMiC, we are supporting you in prayers and with the hope to serve alongside with you as you face these challenges at home.  It is important to not ONLY keep your children safe physically, but for their emotional well-being as well. Children’s reactions will vary from child to child. Some will be clingy. Some may require extra attention. Some may have difficulty with sleeping and eating. As parents, we will need to be empathetic. Be calm. Be patient. Be supportive. Be caring and validate their feelings. With that in mind, I have provided below links to “Time Capsule for kids” and “Time Capsule for adults” workbook for you.  These workbooks are designed and offered by Natalie Long of LONG Creations.  Natalie is a mother, like many of you are; she is also the ‘creator’ of this Covid-19 Time Capsule.  This coloring workbook activity will give you and your child an opportunity to walk through this historical time together, sharing each of your concerns, worries, and hope; a conversation starter for you and your children, so you will be able to ease the pressure and tension that you’re facing.  As Natalie mentioned in her sharing, “This is something I designed for fellow families with children living through this difficult time, it is meant as a GIFT not for profit!” My thanks go to Natalie for her generosity and her love for all our families with young children.

Feel free to download and print them out. If you have trouble doing that, or if you do not have a printer handy, please let me know and I will mail you a copy. I hope you will enjoy doing this activity with your children. Let us be creative!

Again, if at any time you need someone to talk to or pray with, please do not hesitate to email or phone me.  I would love to pray for you specifically if you want to share your personal prayer requests with me. All these will be kept confidential.  Even though we need to observe the social distancing, we are just a phone-call away!

Your friend in-Christ,

Valerie

Free download from LONG Creations:

https://s3.letsembark.ca/long-creations/2020-COVID-19-Time-Capsule-EN-CA.pdf

https://s3.letsembark.ca/long-creations/2020-COVID-19-Time-Capsule-For-Adults-EN-CA.pdf

One of the ways to keep connected with Brothers and Sisters in Christ is through prayer. AMMiC has been collecting prayer items from our associated churches, church plants and missions point each month which can be found on our Monthly Prayer Calendar Page. In addition, you can also keep connected and prayer for our diocese, the Anglican Network in Canada, with their monthly calendar and additional prayer resources.

In our worldwide communion, The Global Anglican Futures Conferences (Gafcon) has released a new initiative called Moments & Prayer which is designed to help Gafcon churches to keep in touch each week on Thursdays with a simple news sharing and prayer request that will assist in keeping our wider church family up to date with how God is at work around the world. You can follow along on Gafcon’s Moment & Prayer page.

Click the picture or the following link to the video. (https://youtu.be/WV7SmWaa-DE)

Learn more about the Easter Season from the Children’s Talk presented by Dr. Valerie Yiu (AMMiC’s Children’s Ministry Director) and assisted by Miss Jenny Au (lay leader from Good Shepherd Vancouver).

This video is a production of the Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada. If you would like to use this video as a resource, please e-mail webmaster@ammic.ca for more details.