|
Scotland’s storyteller
George MacDonald (pictured) was known as
Scotland’s storyteller. The 19th century novelist, poet and Christian
minister is relatively unknown today. He is best recalled in more recent
years, for have been reintroduced to 20th century Christians by C.S. Lewis
– whose reading of MacDonald’s Phantastes led to his own awakening and conversion.
As it happens, the First Baptist Church library in
Nanaimo is presently featuring a biography of the novelist by Michael R.
Phillips, entitled, appropriately, George
MacDonald, Scotland’s Beloved Storyteller.
More info at www.fbcnanaimo.ca.
Prayer expanding
Building on the ‘24/52’ prayer watch
involving 35 churches between Easter and Pentecost, a group of Victoria
area ministers is moving to develop a ‘24/365’ plan.
Already, 13 churches have indicated a desire to get
involved, according to YWAM’s Graham Jackson, spokesperson for a
leaders’ ‘transformational group’ that has been meeting
monthly at First Church of the Nazarene for 10 years.
The idea is to focus strongly on prayer during the next
eight months, when federal, municipal and provincial elections are taking
place. The churches involved so far are: New Life Community Fellowship,
Temple Yeshua, Arbutus Christian Fellowship, Providence Community Church,
North Douglas Church, First Church of the Nazarene, The Forge, Esquimalt
Nazarene, Trinity Christian Centre, Gateway Baptist, Harvest Community
Church, Victoria Chinese Alliance and Mustard Seed Street Church.
Youth housing
In the wake of a September 17 release of a major youth
housing study, the Greater Victoria Child and Families Counseling
Association (CAFCA) and Threshold Housing Society is urging community
action – including participation by interested church groups –
in response to needs identified earlier this year by youth service
providers.
Panelists asked to participate in the release of the
study, which took place at the Boys and Girls Club office on Pembroke
Street, were Brian Hill of CAFCA, Threshold’s Marion Little and Jodi
Sturge of the Community Council. In addition, perspectives were offered by
a service provider, and a person with first hand experience of youth
problems.
Continue article >>
|
Notes Little: “We are hoping that increased
awareness about the youth housing crisis will encourage the public, the
politicians and the policy makers to consider the unique challenges facing
youth who are unstably housed or at risk of homelessness. The needs of
youth and emerging adults are critically important for us to address as a
community, because they determine whether or not we face another adult
generation in distress. Due to safety concerns and developmental needs,
youth cannot access services aimed at unstably housed adults.” Info
from Christina Peacock, 250.383.6166.
Mr. Quarter
Some would suggest that one 25 cent piece will not go
far. But, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in downtown Victoria,
the lowly quarter has had a cumulative effect for quite some time. The Mr.
Quarter Fund was started 17 years ago by Marion Stevenson as a small fund
to help people in need in the community.
Mr. Quarter boxes are placed at the doors of the church
on the first quarter Sunday of the month. Any loose pocket change or
quarters can be donated. Some people like to make donations through their
church envelopes.
According to the church website, “requests for
assistance come from members of our congregation who know someone who needs
help, from the ministers and from social workers or others in the
community. We have helped with groceries, electricity bills, bus passes,
clothing, swimming lessons for handicapped children, speech therapy,
bicycles, Christmas gifts for the 23 residents of the Upper Room and many
more. We touch a large number of people with this fund, showing God’s
love and helping them in some small way when they are in
difficulties.”
Contact: www.standrews.pacificcoast.net
– Lloyd Mackey
October 2008
|
