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By Lloyd Mackey
A FREE fitness program for women is part of a larger
health promotion and outreach at downtown Victoria’s Central Baptist
Church.
Bridey Stirling, a longtime Central member with a
doctorate in community health, says the leadership of the church agrees
that, as the downtown demographics change, “this would be a way to
reach out to the community.”
Stirling, who is an adjunct professor of medicine at
University of British Columbia – and also teaches at the University
of Victoria and Camosun College – first brought forward the concept
of a free fitness program for Central two years ago.
At the time, the church leadership was doing a major
study on the impact of inner city changes on the church and opportunities
for appropriate responses and outreach.
At that time, such issues as homelessness and the
influence of a nearby free needle exchange for drug users were raising, for
the 80 year old 500-strong church, questions about its continued relevance
to the downtown scene.
Stirling says that, while those issues have not
disappeared, some other, perhaps longer term changes, are coming to the
city surrounding the church. Those changes can be summarized in the phrase
“new condos.”
More construction cranes are appearing. Perhaps the
most prominent example is The Hudson, the major condominium project now
underway in the landmark former Hudson’s Bay department store on
Douglas, just down the street and around the corner from Central’s
Pandora Avenue home.
The increasing presence of young adults, both single
and couples, many of whom have little seeming reason to be interested in
church or spiritual values, caught Stirling’s imagination.
“We hoped to invite these new people – to find a
way for people in church to bring friends to a seeker-friendly
setting,” she says.
The program operates under the women’s ministries
component of Central’s leadership. Funds are raised through things
such as teas, and by women who donate what they are paid to help the
custodian keep the commodious church clean.
Several steps were taken to bring the new program to
its inauguration point.
A well-qualified professional fitness instructor
– who is also a serious Christian – was contracted to shape and
teach the program. Catherine Fletcher, who is certified by the B.C.
Recreation and Parks Association, is that person.
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She has been leading a group of Central women in some
fitness sessions this summer, as a way to prepare for the wider outreach.
As word of the program has spread in the community, at least one office
group has expressed interest in being involved; and the Ministry of Health,
with some of its offices nearby, is also interested.
Two different weekly fitness classes began September
16. On Tuesdays, the sessions are 4:30 – 5:30 pm, designed for women
coming straight from work. The 6 – 7 pm slots are for those who would
prefer to first get home for a bite to eat.
The sessions are held on the exact spot where Central
members worship each Sunday. When the decision was made to add the facility
a few years ago, a multi-purpose sanctuary-gymnasium was considered the way
to go.
For worship services and Christian concerts, 1,200
people can be seated at a time. Stirling is happy that, for fitness
purposes there also is room for a crowd. She figures up to 200 people could
be exercising at any given session.
The fitness program involves cardio, core strengthening
and stretching. Asked to delineate other benefits, Stirling notes:
• Participants are encouraged to invite friends.
• Parking is available.
• Healthy snacks are provided.
• A newsletter with recipes and health tips is
provided.
• Showers are available.
• Music is a mix of instrumental and Christian
pop.
Stirling hints that, if this fitness program works
well, a “kindergym” may be added later. Meanwhile, some child
care facilities are available; call 250.385.7786.
November 2008
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