Programs & Ministries

Cadets

Cadets is a youth ministry whose purpose is to provide the church with a unique program that will enable it to effectively share Christ’s love with boys from the church and community. The basis of the Calvinist Cadet Corps is the Word of God (the Holy Bible) and as summarized in the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Belgic Confession. The goal of Cadets is to help boys grow in all areas of life (spiritual, mental, physical, and social) by providing Christian men with a uniquely designed structure, program and materials.

The Organization of Cadets – A) Cadre – the basic unit of Cadeting, which puts an adult Christian man as a counsellor for up to six boys, and provides the setting for the program activities. B) Club (ours is #4809) – provides group interaction and competition on a smaller scale. C) Council (Iroquois) – broadening the scope even further and providing an arena for counsellor training and major activities with the other clubs in the council.

A Typical Club Meeting – Every other Friday in the church basement – The program runs from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The Cadets and their counsellors (full uniform is required) form rank and file (march and drill) for opening parade. The evening plans are detailed and each cadre goes to their own room. The Bible study usually consists of a particular subject from either the Cadet manual, Recruit/Pathfinder/Builder (RPB book) or from the Quest magazine. After Bible study, it’s time for crafts or badge work. The badge work is printed in the RPB book. There are many badges to choose from (over 80) in categories such as “Where you live,” “the wilderness,” “science,” “hobbies,” “crafts,” “camping,” “sports,” “personal development,” and “discovering God’s Word.” After a short break with snack time, the boys work on their basic skills for Snow Derby or Cadet-a-rama or play some sports. Snow Derby is an outdoor competition which takes place in February, in which eight boys form a team and navigate a course through the woods with a compass, instructions, and their sled of supplies. On the course there are three stations that judge the boys’ knowledge of basic survival skills: shelter building, fire building and axemanship, first aid, and at the end of the course, sled packing. Cadet-a-rama is an indoor competition held in June in which teams compete in knot tying, ladder building (lashing), compass, ice rescue, and pyramid building. There is also an opportunity for the boys to display and win prizes for the crafts they have built over the year. Blocks of wood previously carved and decorated into racing cars by the Cadets and raced down a computerized track finish off the day.

Cadets need counsellors and vice versa. If you are an interested man with a love of God’s creation and would like to help younger boys (ages 9-13), we would gladly teach you the program and help with the skills and crafts. If you would like to send your boy (and his neighbourhood friend) to an adventure of skills while learning about God’s love, please call any of the present leaders.

Young People’s Bible Study

The Young People’s Society (YPS) is open to all teenagers and young people in grade 9 and older. They meet every other Sunday in different homes at 7:30 p.m (see our bulliton for location of meeting). This year, the YPS is studying the book of Psalms with a study guide written by Eugene Peterson. After each meeting there is social time for eating goodies, playing games, and mingling with other young people.

The Executive Committee of the YPS, with the help of their mentors, plan various outings throughout the year to bring everyone together and to get to know each other better. These activities may include barbecues, bowling, speeches, or potluck suppers.

Twice a year the Flamborough YPS takes part in a Study Weekend organised by the Youth Conference Committee. These weekends include two days of speeches, workshops, entertainment, singing, meals, and accommodations if required. Each YPS in Ontario takes a turn hosting the Study Weekend.

Women’s Bible Study - “Ruth”

This study group is open to all women in the Flamborough church. They meet every other Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. in the church. The group is studying the series Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

Each October, the women of “Ruth” take part in a League Day organized by the League of Women’s Societies of Ontario. There are two speeches presented during the day, with time for discussion after each speech. A delicious lunch is always provided! The women’s bible study groups of every Canadian Reformed Church in Ontario take a turn hosting this event.

Flamborough Men’s Society

This study group is for all men in the Flamborough church. They meet every other Tuesday night at 8:00 PM in the church. This year they are studying the book of Joshua.
A League Day is planned every November for all the men of the Canadian Reformed Churches of Ontario. The League Day includes a presentation, discussion period, and a luncheon.

Morning Bible Study – “Teach Us Your Way”

This study group is open to women of both the Flamborough and Rehoboth congregations.  We meet every Tuesday morning in the church from 9:15 to 11:00 am with few exceptions.  We enjoy big room Opening Devotions (prayer, Bible reading and song) all together and then separate into four small discussion groups for the final hour.  We have just finished an in-depth study of the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges and as of January are now delving into His Word through the Old Testament books of Ezra/Nehemiah using the Life Change Series by NavPress.

We offer refreshments, childcare for pre-school children and endeavour to be a fellowship intent on growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.  Please feel welcome to join us at anytime.

The Home Mission Committee

The home mission committee acts as a link between the Flamborough Canadian Reformed Church and the local community. Made up of eight church members, the committee is involved in both the coordination and participation of various outreach, and community volunteer programs including: Meals on Wheels, blood donor clinics, roadside cleanups and the Flamborough Food Bank. The committee is continually searching for more opportunities to reach out through such programs in thankfulness to God for the promise of Salvation.

Canadian Reformed World Relief

The CRWRF mandate is: “ To show Christian assistance, generosity, charity, mercy and kindness towards the poor, out of thankfulness to great salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

Groups sponsored under this organization include:

• Faithworks, which sends out teams of volunteers to various needy locations to help with projects such as dwelling construction and infrastructure improvements.
• Ruth Association, a women’s program that teaches Christian women leaderships skills, shares the scriptures and serves the needy.
• Childrens Homes in Kenya and Mexico which provide schooling and practical life skills as well as medical help to under privileged children.

Catechism Classes

Catechism classes provide young and new Christians with additional instruction in the Reformed Doctrine. Classes are held each Wednesday at the church building for various age groups. Both church members and guests are encouraged to participate.

Covenant Christian School (Elementary School)

Located at 497 Millgrove Side Road near Highway no. 5, Covenant Christian School provides a Christ Centred education for grades 1-8. Its current enrolment of around 120 students is comprised of young members of the Flamborough and Burlington/Waterdown Canadian Reformed congregations and the sister United Reformed Church of Sheffield.

Guido De Bres Christian High School

Founded in 1975 and named after a prominent 16th century Reformer, Guido de Bres Christian High School provides secondary education for Canadian Reformed youth across the Golden Horseshoe. With a student body of around 450 and staff of 30 the high school provides quality Christian education to prepare youth for both post secondary education and the general work force. The school building is located centrally on StoneChurch Road, Hamilton mountain.

Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College

The Theological College

The Canadian Alliance of Christian Schools