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The Ontario-born author of the beloved hymn, 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' was honoured September 12 - 13. Joseph Scriven's hometown of Port Hope unveiled a refurbished monument to the composer and held a number of tours, services, concerts and barbecues. A website devoted to Scriven says he was "an exemplary Christian" who was devastated by the untimely death of his fiancee. "He performed hundreds acts of Christian charity, giving the needy his clothing, money and his labour . . . and [caring] for the sick without payment. He could quote scripture for any occasion and he even preached on Walton Street, Port Hope's business thoroughfare." Emotions flared last May as adult leaders and parents received an email survey that suggested Girl Guides of Canada may remove a reference to God and faith from its well-known promise. Results of the survey were scheduled to be released by the end of September; however, a final decision will probably take longer as the movement struggles with its identity and relevance in the modern world. The promise was revised 15 years ago to allow members to substitute the word "faith" in place of "God," if they preferred. -- Presbyterian Record The Ride for Refugees, a bicycle ride designed to raise awareness and funds for local and international refugee ministries, will take place in Richmond, BC, October 3. The ride was initiated in 2004 in Ontario by Neil Ostrander, CEO of International Teams Canada. It is now held in four centres in Ontario and last year raised over $600,000. One feature of the program is that it works with already-existing non-profit organizations in the regions where help is offered. This is the first year a ride will be held in BC. John Calvin's 500th birthday will be celebrated at the Presbyterian College and the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal October 29 - 30. The keynote speaker will be Randall C. Zachman, professor of Reformation Studies at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. The theme will be 'Calvin and the Christian Faith.' The event is one of many held this year in Protestant churches worldwide, beginning July 10 in Geneva. -- Presbyterian Record The legendary Dead Sea Scrolls will be explored from a Reformed point of view next month. Knox College, a theological school affiliated with the University of Toronto, will host Dr. Eileen Schuller in a presentation on the scrolls, with an emphasis on why the documents are important to Reformed Christians. The October 24 event will include a lecture, a discussion, and a trip to 'Words the Changed the World,' the current Royal Ontario Museum exhibit on the scrolls. |
Adapt unto the Lord a new song The Canadian Bible Society is sponsoring a new award, to be presented by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of Canada. The prize will go to a song adapted from, or based upon, a piece of scripture. At least 60 percent of the song's lyrics must come from a biblical reference. The award will include a complete CD recording at AME Recording Studio with session musicians, production and promotion of three songs on a CD. Entries for the 2009 Scripture Song award must be submitted to the GMA by October 10. Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg kicked off a new reading series called 'Speaking with Fire,' featuring Canadian poets and novelists, September 21. The first event was a panel on 'Poetry and the Common Good,' featuring Rhea Tregebov, author of Mapping the Chaos, and Metis poet Gregory Scofield, author of The Gathering: Stones for the Medicine Wheel. The next event in the series, scheduled October 5, will feature Patrick Friesen, author of Blasphemer's Wheel. Novelist Sandra Birdsell, author of The Russlander, will be featured November 2. Admission for all events is free. The Sisters of Charity, also known as the Grey Nuns, will celebrate their 150th anniversary of ministry in Alberta with three days of festivities around the province in mid-October. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held October 15 at St. Joseph Basilica in Edmonton; a Mass marking the feast day of Grey Nun founder Marguerite d'Youville will be held the following day at in St. Albert Church; and a Mass and historical re-enactment will be presented October 17 at Lac Ste. Anne Shrine. The Christian Heritage Party (CHP) now has a presence in the BC riding of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo. An electoral district association for the party has been formed and is officially registered with Elections Canada. Riding association president Chris Kempling, who was punished some years ago by the BC College of Teachers for his views on homosexuality, stated: "I am excited that voters in the Kamloops riding will have a pro-life, pro-family option on the ballot in the next election." In a press release describing the CHP as "Canada's only social conservative federal party," Kempling stated: "The Conservative Party has taken the votes of social conservatives for granted. We are tired of holding our noses to vote for a party that does not respect true conservative values."
September 24/2009 | ||
B.C. Lions coach Wally Buono was moved to tears September 19, as his team defeated the Toronto Argonauts 23-17. But this did not represent merely a triumph over a rival. The victory was Buono's 232nd, in a career spanning 19 years in Alberta and BC, and it made this devout Christian the CFL's all-time winning coach. In an emotional speech, he spoke of his deep faith, and his mother's fight against Alzheimer's Disease; he also paid tribute to the previous record-holder, Don Matthews, who headed several CFL teams at various times.