|
Anglicans in court
The fight over property among B.C. Anglicans heated up
last month. In early October, the Diocese of New Westminster sought an
injunction forbidding three congregations from using their buildings. The
action was taken to counter legal proceedings instigated by the
congregations – St. John’s Shaughnessy and St.
Matthias/St. Luke in Vancouver, and St. Matthew’s in Abbotsford
– which took the diocese to court in September, in an attempt to
preempt the anticipated evictions. The factions are locked in a bitter
dispute over the blessing of gay unions, which was approved by the diocese.
Maclean’s wins in B.C.
The B.C. Human Rights Commission announced October 10
that it rejected a complaint against Maclean’s magazine, for the publication of ‘The future
belongs to Islam,’ by controversial columnist Mark Steyn. The
article speculated on whether Western culture could withstand Muslim
progress. The commission ruling stated: “Read in its context, the
article is essentially an expression of opinion on political issues which .
. . are legitimate subjects for public discussion.”
Walk against violence
The multi-faith, cross-Canada Walk Against Violence
began April 20 in Halifax. It was scheduled to end (just after BCCN went to press) October 27 in
Victoria. The initiative has been led by Calgary imam Syed Soharwardy,
founder of Muslims Against Terrorism. Christian supporters have included
leaders of Anglican, Catholic and United churches. “There are people
who justify violence based on religion,” Soharwardy said. His purpose
is to “show that every religion, including Islam, is against
violence.” He maintains that religion-motivated terrorism is based on
misinterpretation of scripture. walkagainstviolence.com
Snowboarders help Ratanak
What does a snowboard company based in Vancouver have
in common with Cambodia’s kids? Zion Snowboards has launched its POP
(People of the Planet) Program. Its website states: “We have made it
our mission to help out our fellow humans who have been dealt a bad
hand.” Accordingly, the company will donate 10 percent of the
proceeds from POP products sold in its online shop to the Vancouver-based
Ratanak Foundation’s New Song Project. The project is aimed at
fighting child sex trafficking. Zion personnel met Ratanak founder Brian
McConaghy, and said: “We literally had our jaws on the floor after
hearing about what was going on in the brothels in Cambodia.” Contact: zionsnowboards.com and ratanak.org.
Church sued
Last April, concert-goers were horrified as the floor
collapsed during a Starfield concert at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford.
Pews, sound equipment and some 70 people fell to the basement, with 44
sustaining injuries. Two Surrey residents have filed a claim in B.C.
Supreme Court. They are suing the church, the B.C. Conference of
Mennonite Brethren and the City of Abbotsford.
They claim the parties named failed to “take
reasonable care to ensure that persons, including the plaintiffs, would be
reasonably safe in using the (church) premises.”
Julia and Elwin Wizke further claim that concert
promoter Unite Productions bears responsibility for the invitation to an
event “when it was not reasonable safe to do so,” along with
failing to “act on warning signs that the floor was in a dangerous or
defective condition.”
Surrey Leader Etibako conviction
Two years ago Adela Etibako, 39, along with three of
her children: Edita (12), Benedicta (9) and Stephane (8) and 17 year old
Ashley Singh died in an arson attack.
The man accused of the attack, Nathan Fry (20),
was sentenced October 5 to life in prison, without possibility of parole
for 25 years. Fry confessed to committing the murders, in conversation with
an undercover policeman.
The Etibako family attended Calvary Worship Centre in
New Westminster.
‘God’s looking after us’
Cindy Holbrook credits her policeman neighbour
– and God – for her escape from her burning home in North
Delta. In a dramatic 1:00 am rescue, Delta Police Constable Cal Traversy
arose from his bed upon hearing breaking glass; what he saw through his
window was the beginnings of a fire in the house opposite. Instructing his
wife to call 911, he ran to help.
According to the North
Delta Leader, he forced the front door open,
then ushered Holbrook, along with sons Stephen and Peter and the family
dog, out of the house.
Continue article >>
|
Concerned for two other children, Traversy reentered
the house – which, by now, was filling with smoke.
Thankfully, daughter Kim and son Michael were able to exit the house
elsewhere.
Traversy has been recommended for a commendation by
Fire Chief Dan Copeland.
Cindy Holbrook has recently come through another
challenge, after difficult surgery and treatment for sarcoma.
“Three days after the fire, I went for the
results of follow-up tests and they were all clear,” she told the Leader, adding: “So we see
the way God’s looking after us – through the last year and
through this already . . . and we just know everything is going to be
fine.”
The house is badly damaged, likely beyond
repair. Her church has arranged a temporary home for her family.
Former principal resigns
In 2002, while he was principal of White Rock
Christian Academy, Steve Paras failed to report his knowledge of the sexual
assault of a 13 year old female student by an adult male. Following a
lengthy investigation by the B.C. College of Teachers, and after he had
taken a new job as vice principal of Surrey’s Regent Christian
Academy, Paras was suspended for four months.
He was expected to to return to work in January,
following the suspension, but last month he announced his resignation.
Regent Christian School principal Paul Johnson has
remained supportive of Paras, and was quoted in the Surrey Leader October 12 as
feeling “heavy-hearted” to hear of the resignation. Paras had
been a teacher at the White Rock school for 18 years.
Gospel competition
Auditions were held for Gospel’s
Dynamic Duets September 12 – 13 at
Calvary Worship Centre in New Westminster. Six B.C. entrants were selected
to proceed to a further round in Ontario for a week with industry experts.
Performances of the hopefuls were taped for future broadcast. Two B.C.
singers were among the 20 finalists: Joel Wiggers of Victoria
and Matt Cooper of Abbotsford. Cooper, however, has since withdrawn.
YWAM hopes to expand
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) recently appeared before
Vancouver City Council, to apply for permission to renovate and/or build a
facility on Napier Street in East Vancouver. There is some neighbourhood
opposition.
According to YWAM Vancouver director Mike Davies,
“Acquisition of the Napier Street building is a key part of a
multi-phase vision to see the ministry of YWAM Vancouver fully established
and rooted in the city of Vancouver. “This new building will serve as
hub and ministry centre for our work in the city. Future plans include
additional buildings such as outreach warehouse for larger gatherings,
training classrooms and apartment buildings for staff housing.”
– Peter Biggs
November 2008
|
