We’ll have Vatican’s lead astronomer in town next week (see accompanying story), but this weekend we’ll also have a kids’ movie which strays into extraterrestrial realms. The Star will open Friday (November 17) at several local theatres.
This is how the movie is described by its makers:
A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
Local film critic / movie tracker Peter Chattaway follows an interesting tangent on his November 15 FilmChat blog, wondering “about angels and stars in the Christmas story and The Star.” He begins:
I posted several new clips from The Star, including one in which an angel appears to Mary and announces that she is about to conceive the Son of God. After the angel says his piece, he turns into a ball of light and flies out her window, rising into the sky and becoming the star that draws the Magi to Bethlehem nine months later.
It’s a fascinating sequence, because it suggests that, for the movie’s purposes, the angel that appeared to Mary and the star that the Magi followed were one and the same. On one level, the film might simply have found a dramatic way to harmonize the Nativity accounts in Matthew (which tells us about the star) and Luke (which tells us about the Annunciation). But on another level, this sequence touches – however accidentally – on an ancient debate regarding the nature of the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem.
Put simply: what was the star that the Magi followed? Was it just a thing moving around in the sky? Or was it perhaps an angel or some similar conscious being?
Go here for the answer.
Phil Keaggy, Glen Soderholm
Phil Keaggy is a world-renowned guitarist.
There will be a couple of great concerts on this weekend – I’ve seen both artists, so I can give a personal guarantee.
Phil Keaggy is the better known of the two. He will be on stage this Saturday (November 18) at Church in the Valley in Langley. Here’s the write-up:
Hailed by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of the top 20 acoustic guitarists of all time, his performances showcase an eclectic mix of classical and Celtic instrumentals, Gospel originals and cover songs ranging from Bob Dylan to the Beatles.
Using sampling and loops along with his Victor Borge-like humour, concertgoers are always treated to a one-of-kind live performance. Joining Phil will be special guest guitarist, Jay Calder.
Glen Soderholm will give a free concert at VST.
For those in Vancouver, it might make sense to head out to UBC to hear Glen Soderholm on Friday (November 17):
Glen Soderholm, singer/songwriter from Guelph, Ontario, will be performing in the Chapel of the Epiphany, at the Vancouver School of Theology. Glen is an ordained Presbyterian minister who is currently involved in a house church plant, and is serving the wider church musically.
This (free!) concert will be a great way to move into Advent. All are welcome. The concert is sponsored by VST, St. Andrew’s Hall, and University Hill Congregation.
New Evangelization Summit
Michael Dopp will be the keynote speaker at ‘Setting Hearts Ablaze.’
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver is holding a New Evangelization Summit (Setting Hearts Ablaze) all day Saturday (November 18) at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. The keynote speaker will be Michael Dopp, president of Mission of the Redeemer Ministries, which equips Catholics for the work of evangelization.
He was interviewed about the significance of the New Evangelization in 2013. Here is a portion:
1. The New Evangelization is a very big deal right now, and at times it seems like everything good that is happening in the Church is being labeled as “the New Evangelization.” What is it really?
. . . The funny thing is, everyone seems to mean something different by it. Some people think it replaces what we used to call “mission,” others think it is any activity done in the Church, and others think it is just evangelization that uses modern technology.
All of these miss what John Paul II was referring to when he coined the term “New Evangelization.” John Paul II said that the New Evangelization is the re-evangelization of the baptized. It’s that simple! He saw that many baptized Catholics do not have faith, that is, they have not really been converted.
So while the Church needs to continue to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to non-Christians, it is equally important that she evangelizes those people who were baptized but no longer practice the faith, those who call themselves Catholics but who live a life far removed from Christ, and even those go to Mass but have not given their heart fully over to God. In short, the new evangelization is nothing more and nothing less than the work of evangelizing unconverted Catholics.
The interviewer was Josh Canning, who is now Alpha’s Catholic Church Coordinator. He was interviewed for an October 15 article in The B.C. Catholic which pointed out that Alpha enjoys boost in popularity in Catholic parishes this fall.
Nov 2017
A Rocha: Intro to Creation Care Workshop – November 16, 2017 - November 18, 2017 at All DayPastoral Mentorship Training – November 16, 2017 - November 17, 2017 at All Day
The Cover of Life – November 16, 2017 at All Day
The Kingdom of What Is: Book Reading by Karl Petersen – November 16, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Book Launch: Christmas with Hot Apple Cider – November 16, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
FaithTech: Vancouver Hackathon – November 17, 2017 - November 19, 2017 at All Day
Living Free Conference – November 17, 2017 - November 19, 2017 at All Day
Lights of Hope Celebration – November 17, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Faith & Film Evening: Cromwell – November 17, 2017 at 6:45 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas Special: Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith with Jordan Smith – November 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Glen Soderholm in Concert – November 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
All Handmade Sale – November 17, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Writer's Breakfast with NJ Lindquist: Writing a Story is Like Baking a Cake – November 18, 2017 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
The Exchange Young Adults Conference – November 18, 2017 at 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
All Handmade Sale – November 18, 2017 at 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Art of Art: A Westcoast Formal, by Youth Unlimited – November 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Phil Keaggy in Concert – November 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm
VBCC in the Community: Christmas at Hycroft – November 19, 2017 at 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Marcus Mosely Chorale – November 19, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas Tales – November 19, 2017 - November 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ascent Church Planters Base Camp – November 21, 2017 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Barry Pointon: The Human-Haunted Cosmos – November 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dwelling in the Wilderness – November 22, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Bro. Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J.: 'Why Do We Look Up at the Heavens,' with Director of Vatican Observatory – November 22, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Russell Leng: Temporary Tunnels – November 23, 2017 - November 25, 2017 at All Day
Open House: Saint Francis of Assisi School – November 23, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
DivorceCare – November 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
DivorceCare for Kids – November 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ancient Paths to Creator: Spiritual Formation Retreat – November 24, 2017 - November 26, 2017 at 5:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Celebrating 40 Years of Prayer Canada – November 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sharing the Table: An invitation to experience Syrian culture through food and stories – November 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Choral Music for Christ the King – November 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ryan McMahon in Concert – November 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Darrell Johnson: Public Speaking Skills for a Twitter and Ted-Talk World – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Restoration Saturday – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Stand: Faithful Reading in a Faithless World, with Iain Provan – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fair Trade Christmas Market – November 25, 2017 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Martina Scholtens Reading: Your Heart is the Size of Your Fist – November 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale presents Messiah – November 25, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Day of Prayer for Religious Freedom – November 26, 2017 at All Day
Fair Trade Christmas Sale – November 26, 2017 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Original Blend – November 26, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly Hymn Sing – November 26, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
City-wide Prayer on Zoom – November 26, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
VOS Chorus & Orchestra: The Star of Bethelehem – November 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference: Called to Lead – November 29, 2017 at All Day
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship Christmas Meeting & Dickens Dinner – November 29, 2017 at 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Dr. Thomas Heilke: A Close Examination of the Foundations of Democracy: Religion and the Current Crisis – November 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Cold Clear Sky: An Anthology of Woodcuts by Dan Law - opening reception – November 29, 2017 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mission Possible Gala – November 29, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Archie Spencer: Evangelical Theology & The Reformation – Possible Futures? – November 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jonny Lang Sings World Tour – November 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Copenhagen – November 30, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at All Day
Christmas Shopping at Brooksdale – November 30, 2017 - December 1, 2017 at 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
The Female Friendships of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien, with Jason Lepojarvi – November 30, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Reformation 500: Why Should Pastors Care?, with Dr. Iain Provan – November 30, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Book Launch: Martina Scholtens - Your Heart is the Size of Your Fist – November 30, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Book Launch: The Quiet in the Land by Richard Toews – November 30, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Handel's Messiah – November 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dec 2017
St. Hildegard's Sanctuary presents 'Testament of a Naked Man' – December 1, 2017 at 12:00 amThe Two Sides of Christmas – December 1, 2017 at 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Christmas Tales – December 1, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ECBC Christmas Musical: The Plan – December 1, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Handel's Messiah – December 1, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Reconciliation as a Christian Response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – December 1, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Rejoice! European Carols and Readings – December 1, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Food for the Hungry: Ending Poverty Together Bootcamp – December 2, 2017 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Holy is God's Name Advent Retreat – December 2, 2017 at 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Relation$hip Cent$ – December 2, 2017 at 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
St. Stephen's Fall Fair – December 2, 2017 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Blue Christmas Retreat – December 2, 2017 at 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Christmas Open House – December 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Surviving the Holidays – December 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sounds of the Season – December 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Roy Durman Evangelistic World Outreach Banquet – December 2, 2017 at 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Hearing God: Dr. Roberts Liardon – December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Missions Fest fundraising event featuring Brian Doerksen – December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale presents Messiah – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Reconciliation as a Christian Response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bach's Christmas Oratorio – December 2, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Christmas with the Bach Choir – December 3, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Christmas at the Chan – December 3, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Winter Harp – December 3, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Advent Lessons and Carols – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bach's Christmas Oratorio – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ECBC Christmas Musical: The Plan – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advent Lessons and Carols – December 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Mighty Fraser Big Band with Steve Maddock & Amanda Wood – December 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas Tales – December 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Adult & Teen Challenge BC Banquet Tour – December 4, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Lunchtime Concert: Karen Santos, Soprano – December 5, 2017 at 12:10 pm - 12:50 pm
Christmas Tales – December 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hope in the City Breakfast – December 6, 2017 at 7:00 am - 9:00 am
Annual Christmas Artisan Fair – December 6, 2017 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Business By the Book Christmas Luncheon – December 6, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Millennial Ministering in Vancouver – December 6, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
In the Spirit of Reconciliation – December 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Overnight Christmas – December 7, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at All Day