Numerous local congregations comprise Ministerial Association

By Al Courier

The Peace Arch Christian Ministerial Association brings together 10 congregations in the Blaine area for Christian witness and service. Pastors from member congregations meet monthly for fellowship and planning.

One of the association’s major accomplishments is the community assistance program, which provides emergency financial and other help to residents of Blaine, Custer, Birch Bay and Point Roberts in need. Volunteers from local congregations respond to phone calls (392-8484), evaluate needs, and distribute or refer appropriate help, including city utility vouchers. As many as 15 clients are served and up to $1,000 is distributed per month.

This year the community assistance program sponsored the continuation of the Thanksgiving meals begun by Annie Magner, distributing 148 food baskets. During the Christmas season, holiday meals provided by Totally Chocolate will also be organized and delivered by the association. We are very grateful for those in the community who support this program so generously.

Three community-wide events each year are sponsored by the Peace Arch Christian Ministerial Association. The evening before Thanksgiving, a community Thanksgiving worship service is held in one of our churches. Easter Sunday morning, the community is invited to gather on the beach at Semiahmoo for a sunrise pageant in celebration of the resurrection of Christ. A re-design of the pageant, keeping it’s basic format, is one of the association’s goals for the coming year.

In June, the association coordinates a Baccalaureate service for the graduating class of Blaine high school. Gift bibles are available to all graduates. Our congregations also join in united prayer for our schools in the fall.

In these and other ways, the pastors and congregations of the Peace Arch Christian Ministerial Association seek to serve God and our community.