The Ark of the New Covenant, a wood sculpture adorned with icons, is going across Canada – preparing the way for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress scheduled next year in Quebec City.  Inspired by the cross created for World Youth Day 2002, the sculpture is intended to enhance Roman Catholics’ appreciation of the Eucharist. The Ark has visited Quebec and Ontario, and is in B.C. this month at: Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver, May 11; and St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Victoria, May 18.

According to the International Labour Organization, 218 million children between ages five and 17 are working worldwide, many in dangerous circumstances. “We believe that fair trade offers at least part of the solution to reducing child labour,” says Olga Nickel, manager of Ten Thousand Villages in Langley. World Fair Trade Day takes place May 12 in more than 70 countries. This year’s theme is the plight of poor children forced into destructive work. In Langley, Ten Thousand Villages will be offering live African drumming, free fair trade chocolate and coffee tasting, enter to win draw, special discounts and giveaways. Contact: TenThousandVillages.ca.

Daystar for Russia

Russian orphans will be the beneficiaries of an upcoming Southern Gospel concert. ‘Take me back – again!’ will be theme, as Daystar, Lillie Knauls, the Young Street Vocal Band, and the Royal Heirs present gospel music of the 1970s and 80s – including songs by Bill Gaither, Andrae Crouch and the Imperials. There will be a free-will offering, with funds going to help Daystar’s ongoing ministry to Russian orphans. The fun starts 7 pm,  June 2, at Surrey Alliance Church.

Jewish B.C.

In many parts of the world, Jews have had a history of hardship and holocaust. North America is an exception; Jewish life here has been generally positive. The 150-year Jewish experience in this province is the focus of the newly opened Jewish  Museum and Archives of B.C., located at the Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver. Among other things, there are displays about social activist Mother Goldbloom, and a 1922 Passover seder attended by comedians Jack Benny and  the Marx Brothers. Call 604-257-5199.             – Vancouver Sun

Buddhists’ dream

A Buddhist congregation is just a rezoning permit away from realizing its dream of a monastery in Richmond. The Thrangu Monastery Association is proposing a four-level, 20,650-square-foot monastery for 8140 No. 5 Road. If built, it would stand 21.5 metres (70.5 feet) tall – half the height of a temple once proposed a few blocks away. The organization says it hopes the facility will bring together four branches of Buddhist practitioners.                               – Richmond Review

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Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, National Post columnist and chaplain at Queen’s University in Ontario, will speak on ‘Scholars or Missionaries’ May 12 at Trinity Western University. The event will be the 2nd annual Fundraising Banquet & Auction for Redeemer Pacific College. Contact: 604-888-7727.

Silvoso’s marketplace ministry

A Marketplace Ministries Seminar with Rev. Ed Silvoso is scheduled June 1 at Cariboo Road Fellowship in Burnaby. Organizers say the event will “help you make a paradigm shift in your understanding of the missional church, the marketplace, the nature of ministry and advancing the kingdom of God.” Sponsored by  the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada. Contact 403-273-57777 or  acop.ca.

Cross-cultural dinner

Kingcrest International presents an ‘Awareness Dinner’ May 12 at Sherbrooke Church. Participants will learn about Kingcrest’s cross-cultural ministry to refugee claimants and other newcomers to Canada, with emphasis on ESL; and there will be a presentation on the MCC Refugee Food Bank. Contact: 604-327-6262.

Celebrate!

“Prayer is the backbone of the Celebration 2007 movement to impact Canada with the love of God,” writes David Macfarlane of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. He is urging churches across the country to reach out to their communities May 26 to June 10 – through city-wide prayer, filling food banks, staging arts festivals, volunteering at women’s shelters, mowing lawns for shut-ins and any number of other ‘random kindness’ initiatives. Contact: celebration2007.ca.

Churches & change

Faith Baptist Church in Vancouver will celebrate its 50th anniversary in style, with several events May 21 – 27. Port Coquitlam’s Mary Hill Baptist Church is now the home of Hyde Creek Community Church; Coquitlam Chinese Baptist Church meets in the same building. Deep Cove’s Anglican (ACC) church, once called St. Simon’s, now goes by the name of  St. Clare-in-the-Cove. 

May 2007