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Journey in from the wilderness

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

A candid account of one person’s transgender experience, grounded in faith, pilgrimage, and hope

“In from the Wilderness” is the story of a transgender man who has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1984 and has quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his story and spiritual journey with his congregation, denomination, and the world.

Rev. David Weekley stepped into the pulpit of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon, on August 30, 2009, to share his story for the first time. When he finished his message, the congregation burst into applause. Now, David shares his story in a new book from Wipf and Stock Publishers. (more…)

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Nanaimo’s St. Paul’s marks 150 years

February 17th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Nanaimo’s St. Paul’s marks 150 years)

Church says it is part of the community—and it has been part of the community for a very long time

Nanaimo’s St. Paul’s Anglican church hosted a special service of thanksgiving on January 23rd 2011, the first event of several planned for the coming year as the congregation celebrates its 150th anniversary.

St. Paul’s is one of the oldest Anglican churches in British Columbia. There have actually been three St. Paul’s buildings over time—on land originally given by the Hudson Bay Company. 150 years later, the parish maintains a key role in the community and offers a range of ministries and activities in the downtown core of the city. (more…)

Leadership hopefuls challenged

February 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Leadership hopefuls challenged)

Faith groups ask that Liberal and NDP leadership candidates explain homelessness, housing positions

The Vancouver Interfaith Alliance to End Homelessness is calling on leadership candidates from B.C.’s NDP and Liberal parties to declare a commitment to end homelessness in BC by 2015. The Alliance is a non-partisan group whose members include over 60 diverse faith leaders representing community-based churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and spiritual centres from across Vancouver.

A letter delivered last week invited all leadership candidates to respond and make their positions clear. Responses to that letter will be made public this week. (more…)

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Churches oppose Harper justice

February 3rd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Churches oppose Harper justice)

Christian faith leaders endorse and sign letter to PM opposing plan to send more Canadians to prison

Christian churches across Canada are being asked by an advocacy group to tell the federal Conservative government that they don’t want to pay for its prison-based justice agenda. The Church Council on Justice and Corrections is a national faith-based coalition involved in education, advocacy and community development initiatives to foster healthier communities and crime prevention through social responsibility. (more…)

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Not your everyday books

January 27th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Not your everyday books)

Multicultural Society holds ‘living library’ of spirituality and faith to battle prejudice, promote understanding

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society is set to host a series of events it calls a Living Library at libraries in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Designed to battle prejudice, a Living Library encourages people to probe beneath the surface and learn about living, breathing people. The activity promotes understanding of diversity and challenges prejudices and stereotypes through dialogue. The focus is on faith communities—and the ‘living books’ involved come from a variety of backgrounds. (more…)

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Called to Nanaimo

March 25th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Called to Nanaimo)

Former top prison chaplain takes up new ministry

Rev. Terry Richardson is the new pastor at Nanaimo’s Hope Lutheran Church. Before taking up his new position, he was the director general for chaplaincy and restorative justice with Corrections Canada, where he oversaw the activities of 120 prison chaplains across Canada.

Rev. Richardson recently told The Nanaimo Daily News that he won’t soon forget the troubled men he’s helped and, at times, have helped him in return. (more…)

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