National News
VICTORIA, B.C. – Author Peggy Pedersen’s first poetry book—entitled A Lamb within the Fold—was released earlier this year and is now available for purchase. Peggy is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Victoria, and a frequent contributor to The Canadian Lutheran magazine both in print and online.
The book begins with an introduction chronicling Peggy’s spiritual journey, which included early beginnings in the Southern Baptist church before making ventures into Shaivism, Hare Krishnas, Roman Catholicism, and Orthodox Judaism. A medical scare made Peggy return to the question of Christianity anew. …
In: ABC District News, Headline, National News
by James Morgan
A new set of facts on faith in Canada are out. Statistics Canada has released the results of the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) which gives an indication of various attributes of Canadian society, including the religious affiliation. Canada now has an approximate population of 32,852,300 people, and 67.3% of these identified themselves as affiliated somehow with the Christian faith. That’s down from 2001’s numbers when 77% of Canadians identified as Christian.
38.7% of Canadians identified themselves as Roman Catholic, making that denomination the largest per capita in Canada. …
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PARKSVILLE, B.C. - Kathy Bender, former Executive Director and Missionary with the BC Mission Boat Society (BCMBS) passed away April 18 after a five year struggle with cancer.
In an announcement on its Facebook page, the BC Mission Boat Society called Kathy “a great friend.” “We mourn her passing,” it read, “but celebrate Christ’s triumph over the grave; Kathy’s soul is now in heaven.”
Kathy Bender served on the Board of Directors of the BCMBS as President from 2001-2007. In 2003, she left her former career to join BCMBS as a part-time outreach worker, …
In: Headline, Mission News, National News
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. - On the morning of April 16, 2013, Frances (Frank) Patrick Belden entered into glory. Frank was elected as a lay-member to Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Board of Directors at the 2011 convention, and served until late February 2013 when he resigned after being diagnosed with late stage cancer.
“From the beginning of his brief time on our Board of Directors, Frank Belden was a thoughtful listener and speaker at our meetings,” reflected President Robert Bugbee. “He also began putting his fundraising experience to work in helping the Synod arrange for …
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GUELPH, Ontario – Lutheran Church–Canada’s Committee for the Care of Church Workers and their Families is sponsoring a “Ministry as Curiosity” conference June 18-20 at Guelph Bible Conference Centre.
“Traditions, values, and even institutions that were the mainstays of life are shifting,” writes Rev. David Hilderman in promotional materials for the event. “This generates a lot of anxiety. How we respond to the anxiety affects our emotional well-being and our relationships with family, church, even our relationship with God. Developing curiosity about our dilemma helps us to clarify principles to live …
In: Feature Stories, Headline, National News
WINNIPEG – Last week saw a number of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) boards and committees meeting at the national office in Winnipeg.
The Planning Committee of 2013’s National Youth Gathering was the first group to meet during the week. Members began their work Monday, Skyping in one member who could not be present physically. The committee reminds congregations that early bird registration for the National Youth Gathering ends April 30.
On Tuesday, the Council of Presidents (COP) began two days of meetings. Among other topics, the placement of this year’s seminary graduates was …
