News briefs

Velma Chapman, producer of Bernice Gerard's long-running Sunday Line program, has passed away.

Velma Chapman, 92, passed away May 22. Chapman and her life-long friend and ministry colleague, broadcast evangelist Bernice Gerard, had been in hospital since January. Frances Doucet of Sunday Line, the TV show hosted by Gerard and Chapman, said in a statement to CC.com: "Velma spoke of her struggles this way: 'All is a fiery trial we are passing through.' Bernice is still at UBC Hospital care facility. It is a very sad time for her. God's compassion and her strong faith keep her steady, as well as being surrounded with the love and support of family and friends." A memorial service was held May 30 at Broadway Church.

Quebec church launches association

Eglise Nouvelle Vie, Quebec's largest evangelical church at 3,500 members, recently launched Association Chretienne pour la Francophonie. The association is focused on what church leaders believe is the beginning of a widespread renewal throughout the French speaking world. -- ChristianWeek

Fiction taste test

Chapter a Week is a new online group that allows subscribers to receive one chapter of a different newly published Christian novel each week. Subscribers will then be given instructions on how to order a paper copy if they like the book.

Rudy Wiebe honoured

One of Canada's most acclaimed fiction authors, Rudy Wiebe, will be presented with the Leslie K. Tarr Award for outstanding career achievement at The Word Guild Writing Awards Gala on June 13. Wiebe, of Russian Mennonite background, is widely published internationally and is the winner of numerous awards, including two Governor General's Literary Awards for the novels The Temptations of Big Bear and A Discovery of Strangers.

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New Ottawa archbishop

Terrence Prendergast, currently the Catholic archbishop of Halifax since 1998, has been appointed the new archbishop of Ottawa. The 63-year-old Jesuit replaces Archbishop Marcel Gervis. -- Western Catholic Register

Bishop criticizes pro-life tactics

Outspoken Calgary-based Catholic bishop Fred Henry has withdrawn support for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, a prolife group. Its recent Genocide Awareness Project uses pictures of aborted children to make its point. Henry says he believes use of the images "violates their human dignity, denies human remains the respect that inherently [should] be accorded to them." -- The Catholic Register

Christian Reformed celebrates 150 years

'Grace through every generation' is the theme for the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The planned activities for this observance will span this calendar year.

Salvation Army celebrates 125 years

The Canada and Bermuda Territory of the Salvation Army celebrates its 125th anniversary next month. Founded in 1882, the denomination will mark this milestone with a celebration event in Winnipeg June 15 - 17. -- The Salvationist

Anglicans to elect archbishop

In April, Canadian bishops selected four colleagues as candidates for national archbishop to replace Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, the current leader of Canadian Anglicans. The new archbishop will be elected June 22 by the 300 delegates at the General Synod in Winnipeg. -- Anglican Journal

May 31/2007