Manners maketh man

“Manners Matter & Character Counts!” That’s the message of Judi Vankevich, aka Judi The Manners Lady. A very public Christian, she is an award-winning recording artist and family entertainer – and director of the non-profit Canadian Project for Manners & Civility.  With endorsements from educators and political leaders – including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan – her upbeat message, aimed at both younger children and adults, is gaining momentum. Families, schools, churches and communities will mark September as National Manners Month. Vankevich says: “Just imagine what Canada could look like, if for one month we were intentional about focusing on manners, respect, integrity and thankfulness in our families, business dealings, school life, athletics, and in our churches.”

NationalMannersMonth.com

New Hope in Newton

Strawberry Hills Cinema, in the heart of Newton – the most multicultural area of Surrey – will be the home of a new church: Community of Hope. With the support of some 40 people from Cedar Grove Baptist Church, including a worship leader and music team, Pastor Philip Bryant will lead a congregation of 350 people. Bryant is keen to credit Surrey Christians, many of whom meet weekly to pray for the community. “I am amazed with the response we have received from the churches of Surrey.  I don’t think we would be where where we are today if it weren’t for these churches,” he told Martin Youssef of Now Newspaper.

RONA & Harvest Project

With a generous donation of supplies from RONA hardware stores, the North Shore’s  Harvest Project has  been transformed over the past three months. The ministry now operates a store called Clothes for Change. At the store’s ribbon cutting August 3, Harvest Project executive director David Polkinghorne stated: “With RONA’s supplies – and the volunteer help of general contractor Joe Heilman, of JHC Craftsmen Ltd. – we moved walls and added new ones, created a new section for client care meetings, expanded the grocery shopping area and moved the resource center near front reception.” The Harvest Project also offers client care, resource programs, counselling, food and clothing – all free of charge.                HarvestProject.org

Bikers ride for shelter

To support the proposed emergency shelter in Langley (see ‘Gateway of Hope,’ page 19), King’s Rider Christian Bike Club are teaming up with the Salvation Army – with the aim of raising at least $7,500. They are holding the second annual Mercy Ride for the Homeless September 15. For info about joining the ride:  604.514.7375          TheKingRiders.org

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School backpacks

The Salvation Army and Langley’s Christian Life Assembly (CLA) are partnering with Sleep Country to provide a backpack full of some $60 worth of basic supplies to at least 100 young students. “There are several schools in the Langley community, where the cost of school supplies is too high for many families to afford,” said CLA’s Troy Gaglardi who is helping lead the initiative. Donations can be dropped off at CLA, or call 604.530.8011               CLAKindness.blogspot.com

Pacific Theatre gets Angry

“ Pacific Theatre (PT) presents a staged reading of a feverish legal drama, in which a dozen men’s prejudices and idiosyncrasies reveal themselves in a polyphonic blitzkrieg of integrity and wit.” So reads the press release from this creative Christian theatre company, regarding its upcoming production of the classic, 12 Angry Men . PT promises that audiences “will be on the edge of their seats for 90 spine-chilling minutes, as one youth’s fate is masterfully tossed among 12 angry men.” September 19 – 22. Tickets go on sale September 4 for all performances.  604.731.5518                               PacificTheatre.org  

Imagine That! seeks help

After four years at The Meeting Place in the old Cloverdale mall, Imagine That! Productions has just been informed that the City of Surrey has now sold the property to a developer – whose intention is to demolish it. Imagine That! has enabled many drama students, both new and experienced, to enjoy the thrill of performing live on stage. Audiences have enjoyed the troupe’s many performances. Imagine That! is in need of a new facility – ideally, in the Cloverdale / Langley / south Surrey area. Specifically, they need space to hold classes on Monday (3 pm - 9:30 pm), Tuesday (1 pm - 6:30 pm), Wednesday (3 pm - 10 pm) – and some Saturdays, for rehearsals leading up to production weekends. They also need a space to hold theatrical performances three to five weekends per year – preferably in March, April & May. “We are excited about what the future holds for us and felt we wanted to share some important information,” said artistic director Faith Toronchuk, adding: “Possibly someone reading this can assist us in our quest,” Contact: 604.612.6167  or ImagineThatPlace.com

Ten Thousand school kits

While most Canadian students start the school year with new supplies, it is a luxury which youth in developing countries go without. Over the next several months, Ten Thousand Villages  will be collecting school kits for classrooms in need. The kits contain spiral notebooks, unsharpened pencils, coloured pencils, an eraser and a ruler. This year, thousands of kits will be sent to students in Iraq and Afghanistan, whose families are unable to afford basic school supplies. Call 604.534.3868

September 2007