A blow for free speech

A pro-life billboard on the Patricia Bay Highway was recently defaced. The sign is on the east side of the highway just south of Mt. Newton Cross Road.

Picturing a young woman holding a baby, the sign, prior to defacing, had read: “Love them both. Choose Life.” The word ‘life’ was painted out and the words ‘right to’ were inserted before ‘Choose.’

Deborah Mullan, spokesperson for Victoria Right to Life Society, sponsors of the billboard, suggested that the defacers were “presumably supportive of unlimited access to abortion.” If that is the case, she maintained, the people involved might have “erected their own billboard and given Victorians a choice of messages and ideas.”

Praise Dance

Oaklands Chapel, Saanichton Bible Fellowship and Camp Imadene have recently been the sites of Praise Dance workshops put together by Kathie Hunwick of Lighthouse Academy of Dance.

Hunwick notes that much of the Lighthouse work is done in affiliation with Royal Roads University. But as a Christian, she has an interest in encouraging faith-based Praise Dance.

Workshops she did in July at Oaklands attracted nine participants, and there are plans in the fall for the church to host more such events.

Lighthouse’s emphasis is to offer dance instruction and programs that are “pure, pleasing and positive.” In Hunwick’s view, that means the academy’s approach to dance is helpful to churches wanting to incorporate Praise Dance into their worship services. Info at 250.595.8705.

Bikes & canoes

Several summer evening activities are taking advantage of the good weather, at First Church of the Nazarene, 4277 Quadra Street. The Bike Club meets Monday evenings;  John Cook is the person to contact for meeting place info, at 250.658.3537. Photos of some of the participants at the scenic spots they visited are at vicnazarene.ca. Click on ‘ministries,’ then ‘activities.’

And Cook is the contact, too, for the canoeing and kayaking activity. That group meets Thursday evenings until the end of August, for out-trips in the Greater Victoria area.

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New thrift store

The new location for the Duncan Bibles for Mission Thrift store is “making progress,” according to the Duncan Christian Reformed Church bulletin. Construction volunteers are “doing a great job” for making the new, more spacious store ready for occupancy.

But there is a need for people to help as handypersons, painters and cleaners, to name a few job descriptions. The new store will be at 9-5777 Trans Canada Highway. People willing to volunteer can call Andy Wiersma at 250.746.7267 or Don Gerrits at 250.701.0755.

Until now, the store has been at 7-5845 Trans Canada Highway. There are similar such stores, backed in most cases by nearby Christian Reformed Churches, in Victoria, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Langley, Maple Ridge and Prince George – as well as in various locations in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Info at bfmthriftstores.ca.

St. A’s outreach

Several outreach projects are listed on the website of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Nanaimo, as options for support encouraged by the church leaders.

They include contributing foodstuffs to the Loaves and Fishes food bank, on the first Sunday of each month; the provision of toiletries, socks and other items to homeless people; and the adoption of a World Vision child by Sunday school students.

Info: sapcnanaimobc.ca.

Holy Land Carvings

On the weekend of August 28 – 29, following all the masses at Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish in Comox Valley, Vancouverite Farid Qumsieh will be on hand selling olive wood crafts.

The proceeds from this sale will be used to help the Christian minority in the Holy Land, especially by providing employment.

“Cash or cheques only”, the notice states, adding: “Your support of our Christian brothers and sisters will be much appreciated.” More info at ctkparish.ca.

– Lloyd Mackey

August 2010