Garage sale to die for

Like these ladies last year, you might be delighted with what you find at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Fair May 26 at the Community Association Hall in Black Creek. For 20 years, Island Mennonite churches have come together to raise money for MCC projects throughout the world. One project involves the building of 55 sand dams in Kenya, in cooperation with Canadian Foodgrains Bank. These dams collect water in underground channels, providing oases for people, crops and animals. Church people have been busy making blankets, creating crafts, potting plants and preparing food for the sale. The fair includes an auction beginning at noon. Arrive at 8 am and enjoy the Mennonite farmer sausage and pancake breakfast as well as checking out the baking tent. Organizer Sharon Janzen says: “Don’t miss out on the rummage – it is a garage sale to die for.” Info: 250-337-4004.

Passbooks for outreach

This year’s Young Life passbook program raised some $30,000 – which will finance gospel outreach to Island young people. The program featured the sale of some 1,300 passbooks, at $25 each. Passbook holders were given access April 21 – 22 to a dozen or so Victoria demonstration homes featuring renovation and design ideas. Young Life works with students in high and middle schools. The outreach may draw young people to ski camps during the school year, or to Rockridge, a year round water-based facility near Princeton. Info: 250-479-8453.

Aglow at Nanoose

Hart to Heart Ministries, a family group, will be featured May 18 – 20 at Nanoose Bay Camp, in an Aglow Vancouver Island North spring retreat taking the theme ‘Proclaim, Declare – Thy Kingdom Come.’ Leading the sessions will be Denise Hartman-Echterling, her husband Mike and daughter Michelle. Info: 250-248-3212 in Parksville.

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New Life Community Baptist Church in Duncan will be the setting May 11, for a simulcast leadership seminar featuring  authors John C. Maxwell (Winning With People) and Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager); and renowned NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw. The event will be simulcast in several hundred North American locations. Info:  maximumimpact.com/mis  or 250-246-1803.

Options for life

Options Pregnancy Centre (OPC) in Victoria has a ‘Formula for Hope’ fundraising campaign, running from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day (May 13 – June 17). Families and church groups are urged to fill bottles with spare change or large bills, and get them to OPC the week of June 17. All donations over $10 can be receipted for tax purposes. Info: 250-389-6883.

Shavuot for Israel

Echo Israel, whose founder is Paul Saphir, plans a Solemn Assembly to mark the Feast of Shavuot May 22 – 24 at St. Mary of the Incarnation Anglican Church. The event marks the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem (2007, or 5767 in the Jewish calendar). Info: 250-474-2619.

Building women’s faith

The  annual women’s conference and retreat organized by Vancouver Island Pentecostal churches is usually attended by Pentecostal women and their friends. This year, Andrea Critchley, pastor of women’s ministries at Colwood Pentecostal Church – host of the 2007 event – wants to encourage women from other denominations, and their friends, to attend the June 1 – 2 event. The keynote address will be given by Sandra Gill, whom Critchley describes as a “faith-building speaker.” Music and arts leadership will come from Crystal Snow, former Miss Newfoundland/Labrador; and the Colwood Pentecostal Dance Team. Info: 250-478-7113.

May 2007