September 25, 2005
News Briefs for September 2005
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A Sad Farewell
News Briefs has just learned that Lac la Biche United Church, one of the oldest in Alberta (pre-1925 it was a Union congregation), is closing its doors. A very early member of the NACC, the congregation has been in considerable tension with its Presbytery for years. The latter (with support from the Conference) has been particularly difficult to deal with since LLB offered comfort and solace to Ted Wigglesworth by using him as long term pulpit supply. (You will remember Ted’s own Presbytery had improperly removed him from his pastorate, the first step to eventually removing him from United Church ministry. Ted’s suit against the church is now moving slowly towards Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench.)
The pressures on LLB from the Presbytery have frequently been intense, and, despite their dogged readiness to stand up for themselves, most of the congregation has eventually tired of the conflict and, thoroughly discouraged, drifted away to other denominations in the town. Now, with just a tiny handful of families left, the church is closing its doors.
A closing service for present and former members and adherents will be held October 2. The building has been sold to the Kinsmen. With the closure, there will be no United Church in Lac la Biche, a town of 2,700, serving a regional population of over 10,000.
Set Aside Saturday, November 5, 2005
The highly regarded, ecumenical Renewal Network Conferences continue this Fall, with “Christ Our Healer”. Theme speaker is Dr. Don Williams, pastor, member of the Advisory Board of Christian Healing Ministries of Jacksonville, and worldwide speaker on healing, ministry renewal, and youth. Also offered are ten healing-related workshops and a teen program. The location is Burlington, ON. Visit renewalfellowship.presbyterian.ca/conf05.html for more info. or to register.
Faith Today
FT is the journal of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, with which the NACC is affiliated. There are six issues a year, and we are pleased to recommend it to you. Two familiar names are associated with the magazine: Gail Reid, who is Managing Editor, and Vic Shepherd, who is currently contributing a column. Going to http://www.faithtoday.ca/article_viewer.asp?Article_ID=161 will allow you to read selected articles in the current issue. For complimentary copies for your congregation, call Gina Waugh - (905) 470-5885 - or go to http://www.faithtoday.ca/ splash.asp.
An earlier article of probable interest is “Free Publicity for Your Church” (Jan/Feb 05), dealing with what secular newspapers and other media look for in press releases about church activities. To read this online, go to http://www.faithtoday.ca and look for Jan/Feb 2005 under “Back Issues”.
Archeology
Two recent major discoveries in Jerusalem:
Archeologists have uncovered what may be the 3,000-year-old foundation walls of the palace of King David. If true, this may be the archeological find of the century says The Jerusalem Post.
A series of short stairways dated to 100 BC to 70 AD were discovered during repairs to a sewer line. The stairs lead to a pool, possibly the actual Pool of Siloam, first mentioned in John’s Gospel (7:9). What is presently identified as the Pool of Siloam dates from Byzantine times. The supposition (now in question) has been that it was built on the same site as the original.
Elder Wisdom
Some thoughts for those of us who have achieved “senior status:
Eventually you reach the point in life where you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older you get, the fewer the things there are worth standing in line for.
Old age is when people you haven’t seen since your youth are so wrinkled and bald they don’t recognize you.
Some of us try to turn back our odometers. Don’t. People need to know why we look this way: It’s been a long drive, and some of the roads weren’t paved.
Just an Interesting Biblical Coincidence?
1. What is the shortest chapter of the Bible? (Ps 117 – two verses) 2. What is the longest? (Ps 119 – 176 verses) 3. Obviously the chapter between them is Ps 118. How many chapters in the Bible before Ps 118? (594) And after? (594) Add those totals together, and what do you get? (1188, or 118:8). How does Ps 118:8 read? (“It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.”)
Well, Amen to that – and a very necessary message for our times too.
(Ed. Now just who sat down and worked out all that? Hint: Not GW!)
Posted at September 25, 2005 05:24 PM