Prince Caspian

Mission Creek Alliance Church features an intriguing item in a recent congregational bulletin. It concerns a May 19 event involving Prince Caspian, one of C. S. Lewis’ ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ books. The plot thickens, as the church’s website yields the following May 19 listing:  “Chronicles of Narnia Movie: Prince Caspian. Tickets Coming Soon.” May 19, it turns out, is just three days after the wide release of the much-anticipated second Narnia movie. Could it be the church is planning to buy large blocks of tickets to Prince Caspian, as has happened with various other Christian-themed films since The Passion of the Christ?

In Caspian, the four children who are the focal point of the Narnia books will meet a new character, the prince who is Narnia’s rightful heir to the throne – who has been forced into hiding, as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. Enough for now: we don’t want to spoil the plot for the good folk at Mission Creek.

Pro-life banned at UBCO

A pro-life student group at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, with its main campus in Kelowna, is becoming part of a national struggle for the right to free expression on the abortion issue. Marion Bartram, past president of Students for Life at UBCO, says the group was grudgingly granted club status in 2005. But student council revoked the status recently, after complaints about allegedly graphic pictures of aborted babies – apparently being handed out by prolife supporters.

SFL lodged a religious discrimination complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal, which tribunal member Barbara Humphreys rejected on a technicality. The full story about the prolife club issue, in a national context, appears at christianweek.org. Click on ‘archives,’ and go to Number 24. That story includes reference to a Canadian Federation of Students representative, who compares pro-lifers to white supremacists, and the Ku Klux Klan.

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Home for five

Also in connection with Mission Creek, Murray and Michelle Derksen, who are well known to the congregation, are looking for a home for their family of five for a year, beginning June 15. They will be Kelowna-based, on home assignment, as part of an  international move and orientation. The Derksens will be leaving Egypt this summer to take on the regional developer role for the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination in the Caribbean Sun Region. Mission Creek congregational life pastor Terry Dyck has more info at 250.860.2427.

Fly fishing camp

Likely, the boys aged 13 to 16 interested in this item will only know, from their fathers, about the 1992 film A River Runs Through It  ­– directed by Robert Redford, and containing a definitely optimistic Calvinist sub-theme. There is a Fly fishing camp for boys initiated by Morning Star Bible Camp , running June 29 to July 5. According to their website, morningstarbiblecamp.com, the camp will be held in remote wilderness locations. 

Life jackets must be worn at all times, when in boats.  A warm sleeping bag, suitable outdoor clothing and rain gear are required, along with good boots, compass and flashlight. Some fly fishing equipment will be supplied for those not having their own.  Camps begin at 10 am the first day and end at noon the last day of camp at Morning Star. Fathers are encouraged to accompany sons. Fees and further details are on the website. Morning Star, located in Westbank, is connected with Kelowna Bible Chapel and other similar Christian Brethren congregations.

Building boys

And, while we are on the subject of boys, Christian Service Brigade is red-circling May 25 as a rally night: an event called Building Men, Building Boys. To be held at Grace Baptist Church, the evening will begin with Drop-In Ball Hockey for men and boys. The promotional material notes that the event is about encouraging and equipping men and their churches to be more effective in their outreach to the community. In the last five years, an increasing trend of boys walking away from the church and the faith of their parents is raising a frightening alarm. The hockey begins at 6:15 pm; the event itself is at 7. It will include snacks, videos and a range of interesting speakers. The next day, at     8 am, there will be a Pancake Breakfast for men and boys, also at Grace Baptist. The church is at 1150 Glenmore Drive. Info from Dr. Gord Lovegrove, 250.808.9377.

Transformations

Alistair Petrie, an Anglican minister formerly from Victoria and now living in Kelowna, will lead a concentrated teaching event on national and global transformation, April 3 – 5 at Kelowna Christian Centre. Petrie, who is a key figure in several organizations and ministries related to the Transformation movement, says the teaching is a brief overview  to show the tools necessary in liberating a community, a city, a territory and a nation into its destiny. He identifies the tools as prayer; research; spiritual warfare (when necessary); and understanding the vision and purpose God has placed in the heart of his people, who occupy the land. Details on the schedule at mti@kcc.net or 250.762.9559 x222.

April 2008