One highlight over the Christmas break was a CBC Radio interview with Carmen Louie, manager and cashier at Donald’s Market on Hastings Street near Nanaimo. Her welcoming, outgoing, no-nonsense, Christian approach to a challenging job was very refreshing. The Current host… Read more →
Community
BC Civil Liberties Association urges province to allow in-person worship
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
The executive directors of both the BC Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have written provincial health authorities to ask them to allow in-person worship and to explain any restrictions preventing faith groups from gathering. Following is… Read more →
MAiD in BC: ‘government destroying a sanctuary for dying patients’
by Peter Stockland • • 2 Comments
You might think the middle of a global pandemic is less than an ideal time to disrupt the operations of a hospice where palliative care patients receive comfort as they approach death. If so, you would not share the apparent… Read more →
Mission Central (formerly Missions Fest) launches SERVE, GROW and CREATE
by John Hall • • 0 Comments
John Hall has been planning significant changes for the annual Missions Fest conference for quite some time. Here he explains the name change – to Mission Central – but also how he and his team have adapted to the pandemic,… Read more →
Supporting the community while waiting for full explanation of COVID-19 order
by Flyn Ritchie • • 5 Comments
Update: Dr. Bonnie Henry announced about 3:15 pm January 7 that the current restrictions regarding gatherings has been extended until February 5. Will our churches be able to host in-person gatherings and worship services again? We should have the answer… Read more →
The House of Omeed inspires hope in refugees and newcomers
by Lorna Johnston • • 0 Comments
Tucked away in a mini-mall slated for demolition on the boundary between Burnaby and Coquitlam is a thriving pulse of activity, ministry, community building, friendship and kingdom of God witness – the House of Omeed. The culmination of dreams, ideas,… Read more →
COVID-19 prompts Southside Church to re-focus on its neighbourhood
by Cam Roxburgh • • 1 Comment
Has COVID-19 been a challenge or an opportunity? Our church has been challenged on many levels – but we have been reminded of our original call, to pursue the things God had sent us into our neighbourhood to do. Southside,… Read more →
Premier and health officials value faith leaders, plan more active dialogue
by Flyn Ritchie • • 3 Comments
Premier John Horgan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix joined more than 200 faith leaders from around the province in a conference call Monday morning – and outlined a plan to engage more closely with… Read more →
Around Town: Brian Doerksen, Acts for Water, clergy abuse, Found Boutique
by Flyn Ritchie • • 2 Comments
My next weekly update will be early next year. Many of us have sung Brian Doerksen worship songs in our churches over the years. We sang one just last week as our church gathered online. So I have no doubt… Read more →
Churches focus on sharing Christmas message, abiding by COVID-19 orders
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
Christian Life Assembly is a big church, used to putting on big productions. This year, though, their Miracle on 56 Avenue has been reduced from a stage production to a drive-through experience. But the church is taking the vicissitudes of… Read more →