Vineyard closed

Saanich Vineyard Christian Fellowship, worshipping in and serving from several different locations since 1992, held its last service April 29. Julia Wilson, the church’s administrator, announced the closing on behalf of the congregation of 50, in a letter widely distributed in May. Several pastor couples have served the church, including Jim and Bonnie Inkster, Bob and Sue Brasset, Rob and Wendy McAlpine, Bruce and Lorraine Friesen, Trevor and Natalie Haug, and Hans and Marisa Anderssen. And the group has met in several locations, the last being in shared facilities with St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, a 100 year old chapel in Mt. Newton valley. Ironically, notes Wilson, St. Stephen’s is located next to a vineyard. The letter did not specify reasons for the closure – suggesting, rather, that “we trust that as [God] has produced good seed in each of us at SV that he will plant these seeds in new places and bring growth and life through its members.”

Romancing the city

Jon Peterson, a contributor to The 24-7 Prayer Manual , will be in Victoria Sunday evening, June 17, for a city-wide inter-church gathering at Glad Tidings Church. The topic of his address will be ‘Romancing Your City: You Can’t Change Something that You Don’t Love.’ Peterson has worked extensively with people such as YWAM’s Floyd McClung, and Ed Silvoso of Harvest Evangelism. The Victoria event is sponsored by Pastors, Churches & Ministries for City Transformation.

Saved from demolition

Oak Bay United Church will begin the community phase of its $3.5 million campaign June 23, to restore its heritage church building at Mitchell and Granite, just south of Oak Bay Avenue. The sanctuary was ordered demolished 15 years ago, because of fears that structural flaws in the building, constructed in 1914, could cause its collapse. However, newer technical studies show it can be restored, much to the relief of the congregation of 300. Meanwhile, in downtown Victoria, redevelopment of the property on which the church’s Kirk Hall is situated is under consideration. Preliminary steps are underway to work with Westbank Developments, whose property at Douglas and Courtenay is surrounded on two sides by the church. The concept could include an office tower including retail, church meeting areas and business offices. Church leaders hope to have the building able to support church outreach, rather than the congregation having to support the heritage building.                  – LM

June 2007