Robin Mark returns

Two sold-out Cowichan Valley performances last June bode well for next month’s appearances of popular Irish artist Robin Mark (pictured), according to Kerry McIntyre – senior pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian in Duncan, the church sponsoring the concerts. Mark’s albums,Revival in Belfast ,East of the River andCome Heal this Land , likely will have collectively sold close to one million copies throughout the world, withRiver  released just this spring. Worship director at his home church in Belfast for the past 20 years, Mark combines that work with his tour ministry. The Duncan concerts will take place at 2 pm and 7 pm at Cowichan Theatre Centre July 28.  See Calendar, page 20, for more info.

Turkish tour with Gasque

Ward Gasque, interim pastor at Victoria’s Oaklands Chapel for the past year (and, incidentally, a world-class biblical scholar) will be leading a tour of the biblical highlights of Turkey next spring – along with his wife, Laurel, a noted art historian. Now-retired Oaklands pastor Dennis Scott and his wife, Olive will be along to provide encouragement. The March 30 – April 12 tour is jointly arranged by Oaklands and Granville Chapel in Vancouver. Info at 250-595-1411.

Camp Columbia marks 60

Camp Columbia, an Anglican facility on Thetis Island – across the water from Chemainus – is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer. The major focal point for celebration is August 29, and camp director Eric Yue hopes they can reconnect with many of the 10,000 people from across Canada who have attended the camp since its inception. Camp Columbia is a part of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia, which consists of 53 parishes with a total weekly attendance of more than 6,000 on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Yue says a full program has been laid out for the anniversary weekend, and visitors are invited to bring an RV or tent and sleep on the grounds. According to the Columbia website, the camp is committed to providing  “summer camps for children [which] are rooted in the solid biblical foundations and application of biblical faith in a fun, open and engaging environment. Camp Columbia will continue to welcome all, providing a safe and encouraging environment for campers. All of our leaders are carefully screened and trained prior to all summer programs. We provide facilities and equipment, quality food services and Christian teachings sensitive to all needs.” More info on the celebration is available at www.campcolumbia.com or by calling 250-246-3751.

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Servant leaders

Another Thetis Island institution, Capernwray Harbour Centre (one of a worldwide cluster of Christian training centres) will feature a men’s conference August 24 – 26. The speaker is Jeremy Benjamin who, according to centre literature, brings a unique approach to Christian teaching as well as Jewish and biblical history. One of the conference’s objectives is to impart concepts embodying the idea of ‘leadership through servanthood.’ Info at www.capernwray.ca.

New looks for churches

Two Victoria churches will look quite a bit different from what they used to this coming fall, for worshippers returning after summer vacation. Lutheran Church of the Cross, at Cedar Hill and Cedar Hill Cross Roads is undergoing major expansion. This includes a new sanctuary, and an enclosing of the architecturally-unique rotunda which has been a feature of the church since it was built in the 1960s. And at First Church of the Nazarene on Quadra Street, they are raising the roof, so to speak. A second floor is being added to the church’s educational unit, to accommodate the growing age 3 – 10 category of the Sunday school. As well, new counselling space is being added, with a separate entrance.

– Lloyd Mackey

July 2007