Since 1946, the work of CLWR has been possible because of churches in Canada partnering in mission. Your efforts to help your congregation engage with our work are so important—thank you! Please use these resources however you’re able, and let us know what else would help your church join together in the work of compassion and justice.
Heidi Van Schaik, the Church Relations Manager at CLWR, is working with congregations across Canada in finding ways for members to engage with CLWR’s mission. Feel free to reach out to her with questions or comments at heidi@clwr.org or 204-631-0504 or 1-800-661-2597 ext 204.
Here are some ways congregations across Canada are supporting and being part of CLWR’s mission: Church Engagement Ideas (PDF)
If you’re a church planning a fundraiser, you can create a fundraising page for your event. Click here to start your fundraiser now!
If you’d like us to send you print copies of brochures, posters or other resources listed below, please email us at clwr@clwr.org!
Regional ambassadors
We’re expanding our church relations work by welcoming regional ambassadors to strengthen connections with congregations across Canada. These passionate individuals, with deep ties to their local church communities, will play a vital role in keeping congregations engaged with CLWR’s mission and work.
Our five ambassadors and their regions are: Carmen Ewles (Interior BC & Southern Alberta), Hanne Kuhnert (Waterloo Region), Ryan Smart (Vancouver), Sheilagh McGlynn (Toronto), and Wendy Ilott (Edmonton).
If your congregation is in any one of these areas and you’re interested in connecting with one of our ambassadors, please reach out to heidi@clwr.org to organize a visit.
Educational activities & resources
Use these resources in your classroom or church to help people stay connected to our work:
CLWR’s Advent Calendar of Kindness, Friends of Creation edition! – Spread kindness this Advent season, and help support families around Lake Chad
CLWR’s Journey through Lent – A Lenten journey of reflection, action, and hope
Stained Glass Lent Activity – Track your journey through Lent with our stained glass window activity
And It Was So – National Youth Project resource (if you’d like a free physical copy of this resource we’d be happy to help, contact us at churches@clwr.org)
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Resources – Supplementary resources for VBS activities
CLWR Bible Studies – Designed to help congregations delve deeper into the challenges leading to injustices around the world
Make Room at the Table – A group activity for World Refugee Day
Refugee Experience Youth Resource – Sunday School lesson: refugee life
Forced to Flee – A group simulation on forced migration from our partners at Canadian Foodgrains Bank (Click to download from the CFGB website)
Liturgical resources
Want to dedicate a Sunday to engaging with global issues, or need to fill a Sunday on the calendar? Feel free to integrate some of these liturgical resources:
Blessing of the Animals resources
Worship resources from Canadian Foodgrains Bank (link to CFGB website)
Recent emergency appeals
Thank you for sharing our emergency appeals with your congregation. Your congregation’s support is providing real help and hope to those affected. Below, you’ll find impact reports and other resources which you may wish to share with your congregation:
Promotional materials
Use these resources in your classroom or church building to help people stay connected to our work!
Project Map Placemat 2025-2026 – An 11″×17″ placemat/poster showing where your support is making a difference
New Year’s Thank You Video – January 2026
PDF of the CLWR Annual Report 2024-2025
Special Issues of Synergy Newsletters for 2024 ELCIC Synod Conventions:
Alberta and the Territories | British Columbia | Eastern Synod | Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario | Saskatchewan
Partnership Newsletter – Winter 2026 – Featuring: an update from South Sudan, a story from the Beaverbrae, Gayle’s journey as a CLWR donor and a story about Elijah, an 11-year old fundraising for Friends of Creation
Partnership Newsletter – Winter 2024 – Double issue that includes updates on ongoing response in Ukraine, Haiti and other locations, and a feature story on a church’s Sharecropper Project
Impact reports
Here are some specific examples of what your congregation’s giving has accomplished recently!
Friends of Creation – Fall 2025
GRIT project impact – Fall 2025
Gifts from the Heart
Thank you for helping us promote our 2024 Gifts from the Heart Christmas catalogue within your congregation. We’ve created resources to help you spread the word:
Gifts from the Heart church resources
Gifts from the Heart web store