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St John's Vancouver Anglican Church, Vancouver is a community of Christians dedicated to the exposition and teaching of the Word of God, to the spreading of the good news of the Gospel at home and abroad, and to the application of God's purpose in our own lives and families.

 

News > 2008 Parish Life Notes > 08.04.06 Parish Life

April 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

Welcome to St. John’s!

Roblealto is a Child Care Association in Costa Rica doing a great job with children in dire need. We have a number of links with Roblealto – above all Mike and Heather Searle who recently spent 3 months there (with Andrea and Kiara). At 12:30 today, in the Trendell Lounge, Mike and Heather (and the girls) will tell us about their experiences in Costa Rica. You are welcome to come for lunch and to hear more.

Next week we welcome Dr. Kent Hughes, Pastor Emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois as our preacher. Kent is a prolific author, a terrific preacher, and a great friend.

The Anglican Network in Canada’s National conference ‘Compelled by Christ’s Love’ will be held at South Delta Baptist on April 25-26. You can register by mail (forms are on the Narthex and North Chapel Tables) or online at www.anglicannetwork.ca/conference_0408_info.htm. The conference speakers come from a number of significant places in the global communion, and there are 2 open services – on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. I encourage you to come.

By now many of you will have heard of GAFCON – it stands for ‘Global Anglican Future Conference’ (not a military defense designation) which will be held in Jerusalem June 22-29 this year. The conference came out of a meeting of Primates and Bishops in Nairobi last December with the aim of developing a renewed understanding of our identity as Anglican Christians to prepare for an Anglican future in which the gospel is uncompromised and Christ-centred mission is a top priority. GAFCON is not meant to be an alternative to Lambeth – there are some bishops who will go to both – but instead it will look to the future rather than being absorbed by current divisions.

The conference will be an opportunity for fellowship and mutual strengthening for 1,000 bishops, clergy and lay leaders from around the world over the core issues of our faith. The leadership team draws from leaders around the world, including: Archbishop Peter Akinola (Nigeria), Archbishop Henry Orombi (Uganda), Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini (Rwanda), Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi (Kenya), Archbishop Donald Mtetemela (Tanzania), Archbishop Greg Venables (Southern Cone), Archbishop Peter Jensen (Sydney), Archbishop Nicholas Okoh (Nigeria), Bishop Bob Duncan (Moderator Bishop of Common Cause, North America), Bishop Don Harvey (Canada), Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali (England), Bishop Wallace Benn (England).

If you would like further information you can visit online at www.gafcon.org/.

There are three documents available for viewing online below if you would like more understanding:

1. What is GAFCON by Russell Powell, a short explanation of the goals and hopes for the conference.
2. Doing the Lambeth Walk by Robert Tong, which explains something of the history and purpose of Lambeth.
3. The Limits of Fellowship, by Rev Philip Jensen.

David Short

Parish Announcements

Flowers. The flowers on the Credence Table are given in loving memory of my dear wife, Vera Constance Twiss from her husband, Lyndon Twiss, her family, and with much thankfulness and praise to our dear Lord.

Our Sincere Condolences. We extend our condolences to Jean Campbell whose only sister, Patty Bennett died on Sunday, March 30th. A memorial service for Patty will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 49th & Granville, on Thursday, April 10th at 1:30 pm. Please keep Jean and Patty’s family in your prayers.

Our Sincere Condolences. Please keep Bettina Konrad, her father, Karl, and her brothers and sister in your prayers. Her mother, Rosemary Rose died on March 28th and a service was held for her at White Rock Baptist Church this past Wednesday, April 2nd.

Note of Appreciation. The response to my request for help in providing a young family with baby items was almost beyond belief. Thanks to all of you, I was able to deliver two van loads of clothing, furniture (crib, chest of drawers, rocking chair, high chair), and other much-needed items such as stroller, car seats (2 sizes), bassinette, toys, safety gate, etc. A very excited and almost-overcome young Mom has sent this note of appreciation ... “We would like to thank you for your incredible kindness. Our most heartfelt prayers go out to all who contributed. God Bless you”. Nicole and family.
I add my thanks to all of you as well. Edie.

Women’s Retreat: April 18-20 Only one more week left to register! Ladies, next Sunday is your last opportunity to register for the Women’s Retreat. Full payment of $150 is required to secure your spot. More information is available at the registration desk in the Trendell Lounge after the 9 am & 11 am services and 6:30 pm service.

Lunch and Presentation by Searles – April 6th. Children, chaos, Christ, changed lives... Curious? The Searles invite you to hear about their family’s recent experience volunteering at Roblealto, where hope and Light are offered to Costa Rica’s neediest children. Join us today for lunch and a presentation following the 11 am service (including great coffee and “tico rice” – $5 per person/$10 per family). On Friday May 30 a similar presentation will be given as part of the Marriage and Parenting series.

Parish Prayer meeting in Tsawwassen – April 8th. Tanya and Tim Hawke will host a parish prayer gathering in their home this Tuesday April 8 at 7:30 pm. Call Tanya at 604.948.9910 or email tjwordsmiths@telus.net for address and more information.

Equipped for Spiritual Conversations – April 13, 12:30-2:30 pm. Doesn’t Christianity stifle personal freedom? Why do the innocent suffer? Doesn’t science conflict with the Christian faith? Why can’t Christians agree among themselves? Are you interested in journeying with people as they explore the Christian faith, but unsure how to answer some of the questions they might ask? Immediately after the 11:00 am Service on April 13, St. John’s will be running a workshop on how to have ‘spiritual conversations’. This will be a fun, interactive and informative session. Come and hear David Short give the definitive answer to the eternal question ‘Did Adam have a belly button?’ If that’s not enough motivation, lunch will be provided. The workshop is free, but a small donation is requested to help cover food costs. As well as discussing how to talk to people about God, we will also be talking to God at the end of the workshop.
To register, email: dc@sjvan.org before April 9.

God & Film 7:30 pm. "The task I’m trying to achieve is above all to make you see." D.W. Griffith, pioneering American director.
Movies have become one of our more popular art forms, and these evenings are designed to challenge us beyond merely watching them into something of what Griffith was after. We plan to enjoy each work for its unique merits as we engage them for new recognitions of the nature of God, our world, and ourselves. The evenings will involve a public screening with refreshments, a brief commentary on the filmmaker’s themes, and opportunities for questions and discussion. Join us! All movies are shown at 7:30 pm. Pick up blue invitations at the door to use to invite your friends.
April 11 – The New World (2005) Colin Farrell, O’oriana Kilch

A Big Thank You from Living Waters. Please pick up the letter from the St. John’s Living Water Committee on the Narthex table in the North Chapel. You will learn all the wonderful ways your support has helped members of this church and others experience healing in Christ. You will be informed, encouraged and yes, even inspired.

Clergy Family from Singapore. The Rev. Lewis Lew is planning to come to Vancouver during his sabbatical to take a few courses at Regent College. His wife and 3 children (ages 9, 11, and 13) will be coming with him. They need free or reasonably priced accommodation while they’re here in Vancouver. They will be here from May 1-20 and June 14-16. If you know of any accommodation, please contact Rev. Stephen Leung at swhleung@shaw.ca or 604.872.1884.

Special Events. Don’t forget to put these dates in your calendar and pray about who you might invite:
April
11 – God & Film, “The New World”, 7:30 pm (Trendell Lounge)
18-20 – Women’s Retreat
25-26 – Anglican Network in Canada National Conference
May
1-4 – Rico Tice Mission
14 – Discovering Christ term starts

See this website for a full explanation of special events.

Anglican News

Anglican Network in Canada National Conference Compelled by Christ’s Love – April 25-26
(for St. John’s leaders and members)

Early Bird Sign Up has been extended to April 11th. Register by mail (forms on tables in Narthex & North Chapel) OR on-line at
http://www.anglicannetwork.ca/conference_0408_info.htm

Volunteers needed for:

  • transport (April 24th)
  • registration (April 25th)
  • conference venue set-up and clear up (April 25th & 26th)
  • ushering (April 25 & 26th)
  • and other areas

Sign-up sheets are on Narthex & North Chapel tables OR please phone Norah Johnston (604.224.8986)

Dates: April 25-26 (Friday & Saturday)
Location: South Delta Baptist Church, 1988 - 56th Street, Delta (Tsawwassen), BC

Sign up early as people will be coming from across Canada and space will be limited!

Community News

Cornerstone Training and Living Waters Canada. A seminar on sexual addiction and internet pornography, the Christian drug of choice, will be presented April 18-19 at Tenth Avenue Church, 11 W. 10th Ave. Brochures are available in the Narthex or for more information contact Living Waters at 604.301.1470; email at info@livingwaterscanada.org.

The impact of sexual addicton and the use of internet pornography have profoundly impacted western culture and the church. This seminar is designed to provide resources for professional counselors, marriage & family therapists, clinical social workers as well as pastors and lay leaders who work with sexual addiction and co-addiction. Treating core addictions such as sex, food, and others has features that are different from drug, alcohol, and other chemical addictions. It is important that clinicians understand these differences and be equipped to address these issues in treatment. Main Presenter: Richard Blankenship currently directs the North Atlanta Center for Christian Counseling; Faithful & True – Atlanta; a program for male addicts, female addicts, spouses, and couples in recovery and Faithful and True Marriages. Richard is the vice-president and director of American Association of Certified Christian Sexual Addiction Specialists (AACCSAS).