A NEW INFORMAL FAMILY SERVICE
In January this year we initiated a new kind of worship service especially geared to families with young children - but popular with adults, too. It is being offered on the THIRD SUNDAY of each month and it incorporates simple, informal songs everyone can sing, and hands-on activities during the service for young and old alike. The "sermon" is usually offered as an introduction, explanation or commentary on the activities for the day, in two or three brief parts as required by the subject. If you enjoy interactive participation in worship this may be just the thing for you. Why not come and see what you think!
This is the only service offered on the third Sundays, but our more formal and traditional service continues to be offered on the first and second Sundays of each month.
Also New -- a TOLLE & SWEDENBORG discussion blog
About 9 years ago a "spiritual teacher" named Eckhart Tolle wrote a book called "The Power of Now." Many who read the book saw parallels in it with the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Now he has another book out -- endorsed by Oprah Winfrey -- called "A New Earth," in which he expands on the teachings in the first book, and again, some people are seeing parallels to Swedenborg.
With this in mind we (the pastor and a small group of interested members) are getting ready to launch a new weblog to discuss these parallels - and also any discrepancies that we notice. If you are interested contact the pastor by e-mail at thenewchurch@shaw.ca and we will give you all the details. Meanwhile you can read excerpts from the book on the major online bookstores, and you can see short video clips of Tolle lecturing by searching on Google.com.
"Information Swedenborg"
For insight on Swedenborg and just about every book written by or about him, go to www.Swedenborg.ca. Of particular interest on that website lately are several recent editions of the organization's Newsletter, which are viewable in their entirely (some 12 or 16 pages) as PDF's online.
Note also that this website is now set up with encrypted security measures so that you can order books right online using your credit card (if you wish), and orders are typically processed from Toronto in a matter of days.
Watch for more Announcements Coming Soon. Meanwhile....
Interior Renovations COMPLETED at the Dawson Creek Church
During the months of February and March last year major renovations were done - mostly by the members - on our 50 year old building. The results are beautiful!
Come and see! Besides adding new insulation to the church walls, which means all new plaster-board, and bright white paint everywhere, we have slightly modified the look of the chancel and greatly enhanced the lighting. New pews (thanks to a Mennonite congregation in Saskatchewan) have increased our seating capacity while also making everyone more comfortable in the church.
A New Porch Entrance Added
Then last summer we added a whole new, enclosed front entrance foyer to the building, with a coat rack and a bench for changing shoes or boots. Not completely finished yet, this has already provided a lovely greeting area and greatly enhanced the main entrance to the building, making it much more welcoming for everyone. Again, the church members have done and will continue to do most of the work to complete the project. One in particular, however, deserves special recognition, and that is Marvin Friesen, who not only designed the addition but coming all the way from Williams Lake gave two full weeks of his summer holiday to oversee and actually do much of the construction. Come and see! We think you'll like it!
