May 1, 2008

Canadian author a key guru in 'Church of Oprah' OPRAH Winfrey is such a big star that we know her by one name, like Elvis, Madonna or Bono. She rules an entertainment empire worth nearly $1 billion.

Church floor collapses during Starfield concert MORE THAN 40 people -- out of a crowd of about 1,200 -- were injured after the floor collapsed at Central Heights Church...

OttawaWatch: LaForme and Epp - healing agents? HARRY LaFORME and Ken Epp, each in his own way, is coming to represent a different facet of healing and conflict resolution.

News briefs • This ministry is finger-licking good • A Canadian Bill for the World Team • Teach us to write right • more

News links • Anglican schism over same-sex blessings • Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright • Schoenborn children • more

May 8, 2008

Connecting with the heart: An interview with Brian Doerksen In part one of this two-part interview, Doerksen discusses his Juno Award and the place of worship music in the contemporary music world.

Human rights tribunal forces Christian organization to ditch morality code The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (OHRT) has ordered an evangelical Christian charity to rescind its morality code and require employees undergo anti-discrimination training.

OttawaWatch: Keeping the faith in a free speech venue THIS OttawaWatch will be much shorter than usual, but I hope to make up next week.

News briefs • Big in the east • The nation that prays together • People take longer • more

News links • Ontario legislature and the Lord's Prayer • Anglican schism over same-sex blessings • The church bell in Ajax • more

May 15, 2008

Global food crisis places millions of lives at risk FOR SOME, the world's deepening food crisis is a "silent tsunami." "What we're seeing is a tidal wave coming that we thought was way off in the distance and is now rising faster than expected," says Ian Robertson...

Songs of Lament: An interview with Brian Doerksen, Part II Based in Abbotsford, BC, Brian Doerksen has been one of the leading writers of contemporary Christian music over the last 20 years....

OttawaWatch: Catholic busloads SOME readers of last week's OttawaWatch may have noted a brief reference to human rights complainants who have tried, once before, to shift their complaints against a magazine, regarding a columnist's comments on Muslims, away from a human rights tribunal.

News briefs • Pray and donate • Authors donate hot half million • Pope appoints two bishops from Saskatoon • more

News links • Toronto Catholic school board • Ontario and Quebec government meetings • Anglican and Lutheran schisms over homosexuality • more

May 22, 2008

Canadian aid agencies respond to twin disasters CANADIAN aid agencies are responding to two disasters that struck Asia ten days apart in early May. Many of those agencies are Christian.

Commissioner plans wide-ranging hearings on residential schools THE newly-appointed chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) plans wide-ranging public hearings that will hear from all sides.

OttawaWatch: The bland leading the bland? SOMETIMES the business of tolerance and dialogue, particularly when it passes between members of different great world religions...

News briefs • FaithLife gives to Burma • Mission continues • Atlantic Baptist's new Executive Minister • more

News links • The Abbotsford church feeding the homeless • Vic Toews and his possible appointment to the bench • Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed • more

May 29, 2008

Christian bookstore aims to become "a community gathering place" WHILE MANY others are struggling and even closing, one of Canada's largest Christian bookstores is embarking on a $1 million expansion.

News briefs • New PAOC general superintendent • Tyndale's 'Uncommon Ground' campaign • Stories of celebration • more

News links • 'Footprints' lawsuit • Bill C-10 and controversial films • Mormon and Muslim polygamists • more