Anglican big guns turned into Canons

Distinguished theologian J.I. Packer and David Short, rector of St. John's Shaughnessy Church in Vancouver, the largest Anglican church in Canada, have been appointed honorary clerical canons of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. Both Packer and Short left the Anglican Church of Canada to align themselves with theologically conservative Anglicans from around the world. Archbishop Jensen of the Diocese of Sydney said he appointed the pair as honorary clerical canons as a symbolic tribute to their ministry and to the fact that Sydney still recognizes their holy orders. Both accepted the offer, with Packer calling it an "unexpected honour."

Bishop moved to new space

Pope Benedict XVI has named Jean-Pierre Blais as Roman Catholic Bishop of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. Since his episcopal ordination in January 1995, Blais has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City. He succeeds Bishop Pierre Morissette, who was named Bishop of Saint-Jerome, Quebec in July of this year, after having served as Bishop of Baie-Comeau for 18 years.

Gunn shoots down welfare rates

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) has expressed a Canadian perspective on the upcoming 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. "The abuse of human rights is a tragedy wherever and whenever it takes place," said CPJ executive director Joe Gunn. "It is inexcusable, however, that in a country such as Canada with abundant resources and capacity, the basic human rights of 1 in 10 of its citizens are not being respected. Poverty is an affront to the universal values of dignity, freedom, justice and peace." Gunn noted the anniversary coincides with the release of 'Welfare Incomes 2006 and 2007,' a report from the National Council of Welfare which says social assistance rates are consistently inadequate throughout the country.

They're giving the coat off their racks

Stormtech, a leader in corporate apparel wear, has teamed up with Vancouver's Union Gospel Mission to clothe the homeless on the Downtown Eastside, providing 800 warm winter jackets for distribution December 15 - 16. This is the third year that Stormtech has contributed to the homeless in this way.

New development at the top

Pat Hogan, a long-time member of the Canadian Catholic organization Development and Peace, has been elected president of Development and Peace's National Council. A retired junior high school principal from St. John's, Newfoundland, Hogan joined Development and Peace in 1996, serving as Chair of the St. John's Diocesan Council and as a member of the organization's Education Committee prior to his election to the National Council in 2004. "All we have to do is look around the world to realize that in Canada we are truly blessed and that we need to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the South," said Hogan.

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Share the bird -- and the poem

Winter Harp -- a three-member ensemble who use a variety of harps, medieval instruments, fiddles and percussion instruments -- are appearing in a number of churches and other venues in BC in December to help celebrate Christmas. This year's winter tour is dedicated to the memory of poet Florence Weekes who wrote the humorous poem 'Come Share the Bird,' which the ensemble often read in their concerts. When Weekes passed away November 29 at age 86, she willed the poem's copyright to Winter Harp director Lori Pappajohn.

When Christians and Jews get together, it's a miracle

For the first time this year, Christians were invited to attend the annual Dinner of Miracles, which was held in Ottawa last Thursday and is sponsored by the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem and the Azrieli Foundation. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's international policy director Jocelyn Durston and EFC's vice-president Don Hutchinson attended the event, which is devoted to hearing the true stories of holocaust survivors.

Moving is always an option

Options Pregnancy Centre in Victoria, BC has moved to #4 - 855 Caledonia Avenue in downtown Victoria. The centre has also appointed new staff to expand the centre's influence. The staff will speak in public schools about aims and choices in life, encouraging abstinence as an option to prevent pregnancy. Options is also hoping to connect more with churches and youth groups, where its pro-life stance can be more explicit.

End of term for school president

JJustin Cooper has announced that he will not be seeking a fourth term as president of Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. Cooper will step down when his current term concludes on June 30, 2010. By that time, he will have served Redeemer for 30 years, including the last 16 as President. Cooper noted two principal reasons for his decision: "Many of Redeemer's senior administrators will be retiring from 2010 on; I believe it is very important that a new president be able to build that new team. Another factor is my sense that the Lord is leading me to take my passion for the mission of Christian higher education and to explore greater involvement in promoting this mission in other avenues of service that the Lord will open up."

December 18/2008