Sienna (grade 4) and Nala (grade 2) Cummings in front of the newly completed Vancouver Christian School on opening day, September 5.
Kids all over Metro Vancouver are returning to school this week, but the experience will be unique at three new schools in Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey.
Marion Van Driel wrote a good article on two schools with roots in the Christian Reformed Church from the Netherlands. Here is a portion:
Vancouver Christian School
For 70 years, Vancouver Christian School (VCS) has been offering Christian education to students K-12, and collaborating with John Knox since 2005 on a joint secondary rental space, a temporary solution to both schools’ overcrowded campuses.
VCS students [entered] a brand new facility for K – 12 [on Tuesday, September 5].
Opening enrollment is in excess of 700, including 220 in grades 9 – 12. A new building replaces the old on the same campus [at 3496 Mons Drive, southeast of Grandview and Rupert].
[VCS students have been meeting at three local churches (Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Free, Pacific Grace MB and Vancouver Chinese Alliance) for the past year.]
John Knox Christian School
John Knox Christian School will be completed next year, in New Westminster.
John Knox Christian School opened its doors in 1955 in a four-room building used for Sunday worship and weekly classrooms, later building its own facility.
Eight years ago, it built a new elementary campus on their Burnaby site, and this year will add the secondary campus less than 10 minutes away, in downtown New Westminster [at 260 – 12th Street]. Completion of the new facility is scheduled for early 2019. . . .
In the Netherlands, Christian education was as natural to the Reformed tradition as putting food on the table. There was just no question that their children’s learning would be founded on God’s sovereignty over all of life. And so, in the early 1930s a few Christian Reformed families began praying for “a Christian school in Vancouver in which our children will be instructed according to the Word of God.”
It took almost 20 years, but in 1949, the first students, eight in all, were first to attend Calvin Christian School. Parents often sacrificed needs at home for a school building and its operation. Some families moved further east, founding John Knox in 1955. In the 60s, Calvin Christian became Vancouver Christian, and, selling off a parcel of land, helped fund Richmond Christian School. John Knox gave birth to Surrey Christian, which has two separate, active campuses.
Go here for the full article.
Saint John Paul II Academy
This is how Saint John Paul II Academy is expected to look.
A recent article by Agnieszka Krawczynski in The B.C. Catholic pointed out:
The archdiocese’s youngest Catholic school doesn’t even have classrooms yet.
Saint John Paul II Academy is a new grade 8 – 12 co-educational Catholic high school and is part of the network of schools supported by the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA).
“This has been one of the most worthwhile projects I have been associated with during my 36-year involvement in Catholic education in the archdiocese,” said principal Michel DesLauriers.
The brand-new school is opening with small class sizes and with the goal to provide more Catholic high school education in South Surrey – an area, he says, that badly needs it.
Classes will be temporarily held at the Star of the Sea Community Centre while the school campus, now a partially-cleared field at 184 Street near 24 Avenue, is built. The school is accepting grade 8 students this September, and will add a grade 9 class in 2019-2020, relying on parents and buses to help students access extracurricular activities unavailable at the centre.
By 2020, the Saint John Paul II Academy should have a permanent home.
Go here for the full article.
Kim’s Convenience
Pacific Theatre is opening its 2018/2019 season this Friday (September 7) with Kim’s Choice by Ins Choi.
Here is the description:
Mr. Kim is proud of his store, Kim’s Convenience. After 30 years of selling lottery tickets, catching petty thieves and reporting illegally parked cars, he tries desperately – and hilariously – to convince his artist daughter Janet to take over the store. The play that inspired the hit TV show.
Vancouver Presents wrote about the show:
Playwright Ins Choi is no stranger to Pacific Theatre, having written and performed his one-man show Subway Stations of the Cross as part of the theatre’s 2014-2015 season. Since then, his spotlight has expanded to the realm of television: Choi is the showrunner and head writer for CBC’s adaptation of Kim’s . . .
Director Kaitlin Williams is also looking forward to bringing Kim’s Convenience to life. “I am honoured to be working on this piece of theatre that is quickly becoming a Canadian classic. . . .”
Go here for the full article.
Sep 2018
God Bless the Broken Road – September 7, 2018 at All DayRise Up Healing Conference – September 7, 2018 - September 8, 2018 at All Day
Emily Chambers with Alex Flock – September 8, 2018 at 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Living Above Our Limitations – September 8, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Book Launch: April Yamasaki – Four Gifts – September 8, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Classic Vocal Group uAngel Voice – September 8, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Gospel Night 2018 – September 8, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: L.J. Mounteney – September 9, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Colleen McLaughlin Barlow: Whale Dreams - Opening Reception – September 12, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Edith Krause: Adam/Adamah - Opening Reception – September 12, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Dennis Danielson Book Launch Lecture – September 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Inaugural Lecture: Mapping the Uncharted World of the Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls – September 13, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
MCC Festival for World Relief – September 14, 2018 - September 15, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Community Table Winemaker's Dinner – September 14, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Don Bartlette – September 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Smith Fraser Duo – September 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Chapel UBC – September 14, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Freedom Session: Leadership Training – September 15, 2018 at All Day
COLAB Youth Leaders Summit – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dr. Iain Provan: The Reformation and the Right Reading of Scripture – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
MinistryLift: The Coach Model – September 15, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Jemal Damtawe Book Launch – September 15, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
How Great Thou Art: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Performed by Steve Elliott – September 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The People vs Kinder Morgan – September 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Praise in the Park – September 16, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Tony Wilson – September 16, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Camp Tulahead Fall Fundraiser – September 16, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Needtobreathe: Forever on Your Side Tour – September 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Kairos Course (Tuesday evenings, plus Oct 26-27 weekend) – September 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Alister McGrath on Science & Faith: Enriching or Conflicting? – September 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Alister McGrath: Probing the Viability of Natural Theology for the 21st Century – September 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 19, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Alister McGrath at Regent: God, Science & the Meaning of Life – C.S. Lewis & Richard Dawkins – September 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Somerville Lecture: Leah Kostamo – Hope & the Environment – September 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
What in the World is Going On? – September 22, 2018 at 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rummage Sale – September 22, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Set the Prisoners Free: Towards a Just Reconciliation – September 22, 2018 at 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Orientation and Networking Meeting for Church Representatives – September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Women's Prayer Conference – September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Atesto Breakthrough – September 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
EMBER: Night of Worship – September 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chamber Music Concert – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sukkot: Feast of Tabernacles – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The 45th Avenue Jazz Band – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Whitecaps Faith Night – September 23, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Foundation Vocal Band: Hymn Sing – September 23, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kairos Course (Monday evenings, plus Nov 2-3 weekend) – September 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jonny Lang & Mavis Staples – September 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Business of Life – September 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Mark Noll: Christians & Politics Lecture Series – September 26, 2018 - September 27, 2018 at All Day
VST Chancellor's Dinner 2018 – September 26, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Elie Pritz: Peace Heroes – September 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mark Noll: The Current Situation – Embattled America, Quiescent Canada, Semi-Secular Britain – September 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
CLF National Conference – September 27, 2018 - September 30, 2018 at All Day
Journey with God Retreat: Facilitated by Leah Kostamo – September 27, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at All Day
The Convergence: An Ishmael and Isaac Reunion – September 27, 2018 at All Day
Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights – September 27, 2018 at 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Mark Noll: Triumphs of Anglo, American & Canadian Christian Politics – September 27, 2018 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Allegory in Narnia, or being Edmund and finding Jesus – September 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mark Noll: Tragedies of Anglo, American & Canadian Christian Politics – September 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ignite (awesome worship night) – September 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jason Byassee: Prophetic Listening – Listening to God, One Another & the Neighbourhood – September 28, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Music Night at Jacob's Well – September 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Voice of Thunder Prophetic Conference – September 28, 2018 - September 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Ride for Refuge: Journey Home Community – September 29, 2018 at 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
MinistryLift: The Trust Bubble – September 29, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Walk the Wall Vancouver – September 29, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Healing School with Jamie Rauch – September 29, 2018 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sale of Used Theological Books – September 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Happy 21 Years Worship Invasion! – September 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Faro – September 29, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dr. Santa Ono: Servant Leadership (four services) – September 30, 2018 at All Day
Vancouver Life Chain – September 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Ben Lockwood – September 30, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Oct 2018
Jonathan Kuttab: Hope for Change in Palestine / Israel – October 1, 2018 at 3:30 pm - 5:30 pmJonathan Kuttab: New Thinking for Post-Oslo Palestine Challenges & Opportunities – October 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jonathan Kuttab: The Holy Land – International Law & Scriptural Perspectives – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reduce the Demand for Buying Sex – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Steve Trullinger: Father's Touch – October 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reduce the Demand for Buying Sex – October 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Edith Krause: Adam/Adamah – October 4, 2018 - October 5, 2018 at All Day
ACTS Seminaries Open House – October 4, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Kim's Convenience by Ins Choi – October 4, 2018 - October 6, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Forever and Ever, the Christian Musical – October 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Skeptical Look at Atheism with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Chris Woods' Way of the Cross Painting Seminar – October 6, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Creation: The Cardinal Truths & the Wonder of Hearing with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
The Intricacies of Flight with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Homelessness Action Week – October 7, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at All Day
Creation and Biblical Infallibility with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 7, 2018 at 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Creation and the Cross with Dr. Andy McIntosh – October 7, 2018 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
An Evening with Ari Sorko-Ram – October 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jeremy Benjamin: I Am Not My Own – October 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Connecting the Ends (part of Homelessness Action Week) – October 8, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Webinar: Renegotiating Faith – October 10, 2018 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Missions Pastors Roundtable Discussion – October 10, 2018 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Anglicanism & Indigenous Spirituality (Wednesday evenings) – October 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Inklings Institute of Canada: Book Night: The Tao of Right and Wrong – Rediscovering Humanity’s Moral Foundations – October 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Colleen McLaughlin Barlow: Whale Dreams – October 11, 2018 - November 16, 2018 at All Day