CRC to Open Office in Ottawa

The Christian Reformed Church in North America's Committee for Contact with the Government (CCG) will be opening a permanent office in Ottawa, Ontario, the country’s capital and seat of the Canadian Parliament, in early July.

CCG's move from the CRC Canadian headquarters in Burlington, Ontario, to a facility in downtown Ottawa just a short walk from Parliament Hill is one more small step in "the call of seeking justice and speaking hope," says Mike Hogeterp, research and communications manager for the CCG.

Over the last several years, the CCG has been in regular discussion with Members of Parliament (MPs) and civil servants over a range of issues. With these relationships established, the move into the Ottawa office should enable CCG to build on these relationships and have CCG’s ideas and agenda taken more seriously.

The new office, says Hogeterp, "means getting beyond the practice of having our ideas received politely 'for information.'. . . Good relationships allow good dialogue."

As a group with a national membership, CCG is well aware that Ottawa is not the center of Canada's every sphere.

"For this reason CCG will use its Ottawa presence to draw CRC and Reformed Church in America members to citizen engagement in social justice advocacy in new ways. We'll plan regular conferences and ‘Hill days’ built around the advocacy themes of CCG and our partners. We'll also step beyond Ottawa and talk about the call to citizenship and reconciliation at church conferences, campus ministries, and in church basements across the country," says Hogeterp.

The new office, at 140 Laurier Ave., will open on July 1. A formal opening celebration will occur in the fall of 2010. The office is connected to First Baptist Church in downtown Ottawa.

Over the last five years or so, says Hogeterp, CCG "has been more and more deliberate about building connections and relationships with policy makers and shapers. Through this we've found that constructive and respectful two-way dialogue with leaders opens doors for discussion on our faith-based perspectives on justice and peace—at the same time the dialogue helps to refine CCG’s research."

CCG's presence in Ottawa will also benefit CRC members and congregations. "Our Mission," says a CRC statement, is to "seek God’s Justice and Peace in every area of life." This includes citizenship and work for social justice.

"Being in the neighborhood helps MPs and CCG (and by extension Christian Reformed people) see each other as human beings. This move will do a great deal to open up dialogue between church members, coworkers, and government, with CCG there to make the introductions," says Grace Miedema, CCG co-chair.

As part of CCG's mandate to enhance justice dialogue in the CRC, the CCG is planning to host regular events/conferences on faith and justice that include connections with political leaders, and practicing the connections of justice and worship and citizenship and discipleship, out of the new office. "We're blessed with a facility that has the flexibility for events like this," says Hogeterp.

The move will also allow CCG to work with universities in the Ottawa area, including the Laurentian Leadership Centre of Trinity Western, to develop a consistent internship program. "We're excited at the prospects of working with a new generation of leaders for the call to faith, hope, and justice," says Hogeterp.

For more information on the Committee for Contact with the Government, visit CCG, call (800) 730-3490, or email [email protected].