The Imam and the Pastor - Visited
With the smell of my dad’s Starbucks permeating the air, sitting next to a rather large man so I couldn’t cross my legs and having another big-headed man block my vision of the guest speakers, I was both dismayed and delighted at what I saw and heard at this speaking engagement involving the actual pastor and imam from the documentary The Imam and the Pastor.  I was dismayed at how few young people were present but I was delighted by what I heard from both Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa.  With our acting mayor and a councilor or two present, this was an event sponsored by our city council and one of its new initiatives called the Richmond Intercultural Strategic Plan and Work Program prepared by the Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee.

Even after watching the film I was still very moved and impressed by both the passion and eloquence of these leaders in communicating their story of peace and cooperation even in the midst of major theological differences.  In our present-day postmodern, multicultural, pluralistic Canadian culture where Christians are usually seen as having some scary hidden agenda and Muslims of all kinds are being scrutinized for their religious connection to some very minor elements of dangerous fundamentalism (even Christianity has these elements too), I found the stories and lessons from these two men to be very timely and insightful.

It’s obvious that we don’t suffer from anywhere near the violent tensions of genocide found in Africa and other parts of the world, however, even with my short discussion with a woman of another worldview briefly after the event showed me that their is still a lot of misunderstanding and distrust amongst various people of differing beliefs and values.  So how can we continue to maintain a peaceful yet sincere co-existence and perhaps move to what one organizer called “beyond mere tolerance” of one another?  How can we truly be “peacemakers” as spoken about by Jesus without capitulating truth and our own convictions?  With our city asking these spiritual questions I don’t believe we as Christians can afford not to get involved.  

Here’s a short article in The Richmond News about The Pastor and the Imam speaking engagement that a few of us went to that took place this past Friday night at Richmond City Hall.

Expelled – The Movie
With the debate of Intelligent Design versus Darwinism heating up in America over the past couple of years, this spring a new movie-documentary looks to expose some of the issues surrounding the debate and some of the real-life censorship that has affected many scientists and professionals alike.

Expelled website
Just go to the “playground” to view a trailer.

Terra Nova Group
Date: Sunday, January 27th
Place: Co-op Common Room
Time:  5:30-7:15pm

Scripture
Acts 16 – Timothy of Good Reputation

Community in Prayer
Please call or e-mail us with any prayer requests you would like to have the church community praying for!

Upcoming Events
Imagination, Culture, and the Municipal Economy
Date: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Time: 7pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Richmond City Hall - Council Chambers
Admission: This is a free public lecture and seating is limited Please RSVP at 604 247-8320 or suzanne.greening@richmond.ca

“Advances in the economy, in scientific knowledge, in social demographics and in communications are transforming the way we live. With this transformation come momentous challenges – and momentous opportunities. These opportunities demand fresh resources of imagination and ingenuity and a profound re-examination of our social, economic and moral priorities. At the same time, more and more hard evidence is emerging regarding the important role that arts, culture and creative activity play in the economic prosperity and social well-being of municipalities. As we move from a resource-based society to one built on information and imagination, it is essential that we integrate imagination and creativity into the way we learn, and build creative activity into the fabric of all aspects of modern society.”

Guest Speaker: Max Wyman, O.C., D.Litt (hon) - Mayor of the Village of Lions Bay and Chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional Cultural Task Force
Website: http://www.richmond.ca/news/2007city/1221luluseries.htm

Missions Fest 2008
“For Such a Time as This -
Destined to Make a Difference”
January 25–27, 2008
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
Website

Trinity Western University & The Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders Presents
The Virtues of Business – Good Qualities Business has to offer and Good Qualities Business needs to flourish
Featuring Dr. Richard Higginson
Date: Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
Time: 12pm - 1:30pm
Location: Vancouver Club
Cost: $25/person (includes lunch buffet)

Date: Saturday, February 16th, 2008
Time: 8:30am - 10:00am
Location: TWU – Reimer Student Centre Dining Room First Floor
Cost: $25/person (includes continental breakfast)

To register and for more info visit website

Higginson’s work, dealing with the interplay between entrepreneurship and Christianity, has been an inspiration and encouragement to many Christians in business—proving that conversations about seeing business as a calling are engaging businessmen and academics all over the world.

“Virtues and vices are being inverted. Greed is good and sin to win: the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down. How can Christianity meet this challenge?”
 
The Richmond Winter Festival
The second annual Richmond Winter Festival will feature two nights of fireworks, live music and celebration of winter. From playground to podium, easel to stage, the weekend activities and family fun will be held:

Date(s): Friday, February 8th, 2008
Saturday, February 9th, 2008
Location: Richmond City Hall, Granville Avenue, Brighouse Park
Admission: FREE
Website