News briefs

Janna, the official 'therapy dog' of TWU's nursing department.

Faith Richardson, assistant professor of nursing at Trinty Western University (TWU) in Langley, BC, rescued Janna -- a Dalmatian -- from a life of abuse and neglect in Los Angeles. Janna is currently being trained to be a therapy dog and will soon be completing her Canine Good Citizen Test, becoming TWU's official in-house therapy dog. She is also an innovative teaching tool for Richardson, who shows nursing students first hand what a therapy dog is and the important role they can play in the health care system.

Coach Buono honoured

BC Lions head coach Wally Buono was honoured in Montreal February 13. Buono, who has publicly expressed his Christian faith, was named the CFL's coach of the year, by the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL Players' Association (CFLPA). He was also designated all-star coach on the CFLPA's 'dream team.'

Change at Pioneer Camps

Inter-Varsity's Pioneer Ranch Camps will soon welcome a new general camp director, Roberta Cross. She is a veteran diplomat who worked for the Canadian government in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for 11 years and now runs her own consulting firm in Barcelona, Spain. She starts March 1.

Catholics to visit Indonesia

A joint delegation of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will visit Indonesia to review the successful reconstruction programs that Development and Peace established in the wake of the deadly December 2004 tsunami. Archbishop James Weisgerber, of Winnipeg, will be part of that mission.

Hugs for hurting children

Ontario Christian recording artist Bev Foster has released Hugs and Kisses, the fourth CD in her popular Room 217 series. The albums are designed to soothe and comfort people facing life challenges, and to support their care givers. Hugs and Kisses was created especially for children who are ill, experiencing stress or in palliative care. The series includes three other CDs: Spirit Wings, Gentle Waters and Celtic Whisperings. Foster expects to release Warm Breezes and Classic Comfort later this year.

CHEC has new director

Al Hiebert has been named the first executive director of the recently formed Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC). Hiebert served as president of the Association of Bible Colleges of Canada for two years. He also served at Briercrest College & Seminary and Steinbach Bible College. CHEC is a non-profit association of higher education institutions, based in Markham, Ontario, which is associated with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC). Members include 34 institutions representing a broad spectrum of undergraduate and graduate Christian higher education within Canada.

National Prayer deemed a success

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada reported that prayer, evangelism, unity of spirit and cooperation marked a highly successful second National Prayer Leaders Retreat in Mississauga February 14 - 15. The EFC was a leader in the consortium towards prayer for projects that will impact people for Christ this year, such as Celebration 2007.

Catholics and health care

More than 150 Roman Catholic bishops from Canada, the U.S., Latin America and elsewhere attended a February 5 - 7 workshop in Dallas on the theme 'Urged on by Christ: Catholic Health Care in Tension With Contemporary Culture.' Cardinal Levada, the former archbishop of San Francisco, spoke on 'The Role of the Magisterium in Bioethics' at the National Catholic Bioethics Center's 21st workshop for bishops, funded by the Knights of Columbus. -- Catholic News Service

First Nations show turns 25

Tribal Trails, a weekly half hour Christian program, is celebrating 25 years of being on the air. With Aboriginal content and clear Christian testimonies, the program is sponsored by the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission, which is based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Pioneer Clubs Canada closes office

Pioneer Clubs Canada has offered a template for children's ministry for over 50 years from its base in Ontario. Currently there are clubs in over 180 churches in every province. The Canadian office has ceased normal operations from February 15. Future administration of this ministry will be taken over by the U.S. office.

February 22/2007