Precious cargo Reconciliation trip Thompson Ave Thankful Fort McMurray teachers PAGE 9 PAGES 10-11 PAGE 13 PAGE 20 PM# 40009999 R9375 A Reformed Biweekly | 72nd Year of Publication | November 14, 2016 | NO. 3044 | $2.50 News. Clues. Kingdom views.

Theme: Neighbours

“Rumours” by Karen Tamminga-Paton. Local salt and light Monica deRegt fundraising to work full time as a pretty remarkable stories, as shared missionary in his back yard, build- in Abma’s new book, out this “Love your neighbour” is the sec- ing intentional neighbourhoods. month. The pages of Neighbouring ond greatest commandment in the “In the context of church, I’ve for Life (Lulu Publishing) are filled New Testament. But what does this observed a tendency for some of with surprising and delightful anec- look like practically in the physi- us to become so wrapped up in cer- dotes of the joy and small miracles cal spaces where we live? What tain elements of the organization that can occur when people simply if, in the words of Rick Abma, a and the programs, that we miss start taking the time to get to know missionary in Central Alberta, our the objective of actually engaging their neighbours. traditional efforts to obey this com- with the world we are called to It seems so simple, but for many mand are carried out at the expense serve,” Abma explained, going on people the hardest part is know- “Swords into pruning hooks” by Jim Janknegt. of the person next to us? to say that he desires to see less fo- ing where and how to start, and Abma is working towards a cus on the ecclesiastical aspect of overcoming two big obstacles – solution for that question through church and more on discipleship. busyness and fear. Calling himself The moral fog of war: Neighbourhood Life (NL), a grass- a catalyst, Abma is currently work- roots initiative in Central Alberta God will orchestrate ing in over 10 neighbourhoods, Viet Nam through cracked Reformed glasses that seeks to enable Christians to Rick started by beginning to build helping people find ways to over- actively engage with their neigh- relationships with people who had come these challenges and to be Syl Gerritsma bours. After 20+ years serving as been his neighbours for 20 years, disciples in their neighbourhood. a CRC pastor in the institutional emphasizing that the goal is not “I’m operating from the as- If you have attended typical Remembrance Day ceremonies, you know church, Abma recognized a prob- to try to get people to come to sumption that most Christians want what to expect. You hear about heroes and heroic action in the face lem – a shortfall of people com- church. Rather, the purpose is to to obey the command to be salt of suffering for the sake of freedom and justice and overcoming evil. ing to the church as an institution. simply live out the commandment, and light in their community; to be Our selective memories allow us to compress some wars neatly Believing that the answer was not bloom where you are planted and disciples of Jesus,” Abma states, into that good versus bad paradigm. World War II, in which my father in adding more programs, he re- see what God will orchestrate. describing how he once used a map fought, was like that. When you were fighting a power as conspicuously signed from his position and began And God has orchestrated some Continued on page 2 Continued on page 3 PAGE 2 christian courier News

Local salt and light continued

than the first house, where they encountered a lonely older transformed, and as NL continues to grow it is starting to gentleman who was longing for company. They stayed and attract attention from outside of the denomination. Rick has visited, and a relationship grew. Another family asked their had numerous opportunities to teach and lead workshops neighbours to look after their house while they were on in churches and with local city leaders. Currently, the cit- vacation. They returned to a big “welcome home” banner ies of Red Deer, Lacombe and Sylvan Lake are actively made by the children and two meals in their freezer! promoting the work of NL. Neighbourhood Life helps neighbours start by offering Rick is excited to see where his so-called “grand experi- the free use of their “tool kit” – a number of items that can ment” will go next. “Everyone is dying to know what will facilitate large crowd gatherings, such as a commercial size happen. I am too!” he says with a laugh. At the end of his travelling barbeque grill and a meeting tent, which Rick book, he encourages the reader to dream of what his or her and his partners will set up and clean up free of charge. neighbourhoods could become, to “Be creative! Be genu- They also offer freshly roasted coffee in the form of ine! And think more of your neighbours than yourself.” a free, live event. What began as a fundraiser to bring in initial income for the ministry has turned into a full circle Monica deRegt is the features editor for Christian Courier. business whose profits now fund 20 percent of Neighbour- Neighbouring for Life by Rick Abma tells hood Life’s expenses. The high-end raw coffee beans are the stories of lives transformed through Abma’s BBQ grill comes with wheels, fuel and two coolers. purchased by a group of four people from Canada that a grass-roots movement of loving your of his town to mark off all the areas where Christians lived, support 55 farmers in Honduras including the Carpenteros neighbour. The book will be released No- vember 2016. For more stories and ideas based on information from the pastors of each of the various group from Ontario, that Rick met when he lived there a that spur us on to thriving neighbour- churches. “Imagine the impact we could have if every Chris- few years back. The roasted coffee (goodneighbourcoffee. hoods, follow along at rickabma.com. tian would do a little something in their neighbourhood!” ca) is sold throughout Alberta in packages that contain Believing that loving your neighbour should be no dif- stories of transformed lives in neighbourhoods across the ferent than loving your children, Abma says that there are region. As he demonstrates the roasting process at live ‘Rumours’ artist and inspiration (page 1) so many things you can do. “People will tell me ‘I’m not events, it becomes somewhat of a “mini-pulpit” for him Karen Tamminga-Paton is a painter, storyteller, teacher an extrovert. I can’t talk to other people as easily as you to share more of the stories of what is happening through and community member. She lives in the mountains of can!’ or ‘I don’t even have time for my family; how can I NL and in Honduras. the beautiful Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, where she and make time for my neighbours?’ but it doesn’t have to be “Wherever we go, and whatever we do, people ask us her husband, Dale, raised three daughter and wander the big or complicated. The key is to go out with the mindset of ‘Why are you doing this?’ and it opens the door for me to tell wilderness every chance they can (tammingapaton.com). searching for where God is already at work. Observe your them about this big command that Jesus gives us in the Bible This piece graces the cover of Abma's new book. neighbourhood; discern the beauty and the brokenness.” to love our neighbours . . . and it just takes off from there!” “We carry stories,” Karen says, “we carry secrets. All the while, we live side-by-side in our neighbourhoods. It Opening the door New benchmarks is very possible to live our lives hidden. And yet, every- The Neighbourhood Life website outlines “Steps to Start” Rick receives some support through Christian Reformed one holds echoes of something greater […] How well – things like finding a willing neighbour to partner with Home Missions as well as from local churches and busi- do we recognize that in one another? […] Imagine the you, praying for your neighbours and giving of your time, nesses. The biggest challenge in finding support, he says, rumours of glory that angels whisper over these same talents or treasures. Abma shared an example of one couple is that it’s hard to measure success, since NL isn’t set up as individuals – including you – because they know what who loved to bake and decided to make five platters of an organized ministry model with stated visions and goals. God sees. How differently we would see one another!” cookies to bring to their neighbours. They didn’t get further The stories themselves, however, shout the success of lives

Mike Buma, Jennifer Neutel, Derek Schuurman, Rachel Baarda, Brian Bork, Angela Reitsma Bick and Peter Schuurman Gideon Strauss and Patricia Webb of ICS chat with CC Edi- (L to R) met in late October to go through reader survey results and chart CC’s route for 2017. tor (centre) at the Eastern Day of Encouragement, Oct. 15. november 14, 2016 page 3 News

The moral fog of war continued evil as Nazism everyone knows who was on the side of the on the next day as if nothing had happened. Duty – other angels. (And if you were on the other side, you are not often duty – calls. invited to write about Remembrance Day.) I am thankful that this paper is a Christian publication, Guns into garden tools not typical. I am thankful to share this brief space with you. I saw Sgt Prince only once after that, a night or two later, You see, I was not on the side of the angels. The Viet Nam alone in company headquarters handcuffed to a filing cabi- conflict was a matter of agonizing moral nuance. But as net like a short-leashed dog. He looked at me plaintively. creatures imaging God, we have a built-in desire for moral Not a word passed between us. clarity. We particularly want that clarity in war. That’s War. What a muddled moral morass. What evil we are because war involves massive killing – killing PEOPLE capable of. What opportunities for good we ignore. who image, reflect, represent God himself. Killing destroys Yet that is not the last word. There is grace. I want to leave the closest thing to God that we see. It’s like burning God you with a poem. A poem that culminates in the future. A in effigy. No matter how depraved we are, we feel a deep poem that challenges us now to begin exchanging guns for need to justify that. garden tools and atomic bombs for medical isotopes. God That desire for moral clarity was crushed by Viet Nam. will finish the job, but he calls us already now to begin, by Both in our motives for starting the war and in our prosecu- his grace, to make into reality the prophecy of this poem: tion of it, we were not saints confronting devils. We were inescapably confronted by our own black-with-sin hearts They will beat their swords into plowshares (both individually and as a nation). And their spears into pruning hooks. Thankfully, sin is not the whole story. Until Christ returns, Nation will not take up sword against nation, there is a mixture of sin and grace in each of us. Both sin Nor will they train for war any more. and grace also find expression in the behaviour of nations. wife’s affair.H e so dreaded this tour in Nam that before he Everyone will sit under their own vine So today I want to share with you a story. It’s a story of left home, he loosened crucial steering components of his And under their own fig tree, evil, evil also in me. Evil deeper and more complex than car and drove it down a rough winding road as fast as he And no one will make them afraid. we usually realize. More importantly, it also hangs on, dared to conceal the fact that his desired death was suicide. For the Lord Almighty has spoken. however desperately and tenuously, to God’s promise that Micah 4:3-4 grace overcomes evil. I relate the story leaving the moral Courting death complexity unresolved. (That may unsettle you.) All of these things and more had also given this gentle man an edge of cold, hard fury usually well concealed. He had Call of duty told me of seeing a close buddy killed. A few days later The scene: a hot evening 45 years ago at the little sandbagged the small unit he commanded overran an enemy position. hootch where I slept. It was part of Camp Eagle about 50 There appeared an enemy soldier, hands up, surrendering. miles south of the demilitarized zone between North and With the thought of their almost still warm buddy in their South Viet Nam. minds, some of his men turned their guns to shoot the Knock, knock. Who’s there? It’s the commanding officer bastard. He stopped them. He knew the rules of war. He of my unit! This has never happened. When he wants you, might have cynically articulated those rules something like he sends a private to summon you. this. A prisoner must be treated according to the Geneva “Do you know Sergeant Prince?” he asks. Thoughts run Conventions. It’s like the end of a basketball game. You through my mind. Sgt Prince. Richard Prince. Genuinely a shake hands. “Good game buddy. Would you like to join prince among men. Soft-spoken, kind, gentle. A career sol- us for a beer? And by the way, would you like to tell us, dier who had already been in the Army 12 years, but not the please, the location of the mortars from which your team- stereotypical hard, macho creature that the word “sergeant” mates are raining explosives on us?” brings to mind. This is his third tour in Nam. He put a furious burst of bullets through the prisoner Then the bombshell. “He’s in the bunker with a grenade himself. “Swords into pruning hooks” by Jim Janknegt threatening suicide. Can you do something?” But I digress. I am in the bunker, somehow now armed ©Liturgy Training Publications, www.LTP.org. No longer are thoughts running sequentially through my with a flashlight, obligated by duty to come out with an mind. They are spasming. Autopilot takes over because I unexploded grenade and two live soldiers, but having no Syl Gerritsma served as a military intelli- don’t have the wherewithal to deal with this thoughtfully. idea how that could happen. So for the next three hours Sgt gence officer in the 101st Airborne Division Can any autopilot be programmed for this? Prince and I share the crazy camaraderie of courting death. in Viet Nam in 1970-1971. Among the medals he was awarded is the Bronze Star for partici- Autopilot should have said, “Sir, I am just a 23-year-old How much does he desire death? pation in combat operations, as well as, ironi- kid. You have been in the ARMY 23 years. Why are you How much do I love life? cally, the Soldiers Medal, the highest honour asking a kid to do a man’s job?” Repeatedly he pulls the pin and later replaces it. If he lets the Army awards for non-combat heroism. But that response is not programmed into my autopilot. it go, we have four seconds. At one point with the pin out he Twenty-one years of Christian nurture and two years of orders me to “turn off the damn light, sir.” Throughout all Army indoctrination have programmed me to automatically this, the thought races through me, “What if he lets it go? take up the call of duty. Do I try to throw my body on it to save him? Or do I dive So I find myself in the bunker. Sgt Prince, a grenade for the exit? Could I pick it up and throw it out of a gun port VERSTRAETE TRAVEL and me. The inside of the bunker is about the size of two all within four seconds? Could I even find it in the dark?” & CRUISES coffins side by side but four feet high, sandbagged on all I remember little of the conversation, perhaps because I sides and roof with crude benches along the walls and a had no strategy to deal with this situation. “I got the right to 2 locations to serve you: few small firing ports. The entrance is a maze to prevent kill myself,” he says, and tells me repeatedly to get out so St.Catharines – 36 Secord drive explosions outside from directly hitting occupants, but now he can do it. The fact that I outranked him was ridiculously Manager: Ria Lishman also preventing quick escape or disposal of the grenade. irrelevant in all of this. I followed his orders – except the Tel 905 934 4414 or 1 800 406 6088 Other thoughts about Sgt Prince spasm through my mind. order to get out. Earlier he has told me that he is torn apart by the impending After a few hours he gives me the grenade. Outside, the Aurora – 14845 Yonge St. Ste 300 failure of his marriage largely due to his absence for three scene is surreal. There is an audience sitting on lawn chairs Manager: Anne Winter of the last six years. Likely the psychological damage he on the hillside as if this is live outdoor theater. The only Tel 416 969 8100 or 1 800 565 9267 suffered from combat compounded the problems. From thing missing is the popcorn. Visit www.verstraetetravel.com 8,000 miles away he is powerless to do anything about his Astonishing today, but absolutely normal then, life goes PAGE 4 christian courier Editorials For Danielle Hidden in plain view for 35 years Angela Reitsma Bick

A terrible anniversary is coming up. That first seizure, one year ago, that led to the dis- covery of a brain tumour. s bert

When a new path appeared before you, un- u H

marked. Doctors were the only guides available, ale though no one could say for sure what lay ahead. D Since then, you have faced steeper trails than most the gift of structure, as though saying “here’s what we’re people do in a lifetime. Telling your children. Moving clear gonna do, folks” – Am, F, G, C. Repeat. across the world, back home. A diagnosis to induce despair. When Simon Ward starts to sing, it’s immediately But instead of despair, you were defiant, quoting a clear he’s on our side. favourite author: “We can laugh right in the face of hope- I know it gets harder every single day lessness because we are held right in the arms of God.” And I know my darkness will never go away. Henry Vanderlaan A new song started playing on the radio late last winter. The bass comes in, then another voice alongside Ward. Right away, I thought of you. And, to be honest, myself The drums start, as if chivvying us gently along. Setting a I’m not entirely sure when we found out. It could too – each word ringing true and lodging somewhere deep pace that feet can follow. These guys seem familiar with have been the summer after my freshman or inside. But it’s more than the lyrics. I played it over and the terrain of hopelessness. Ward said he wrote this song sophomore year (’86 or ’87) at university. Dad over, while the weak winter sun grew slowly stronger. while his daughter was seriously ill; he drove every day came home late from work, a visible wreck. He A hundred times on hot August days and as the leaves from the hospital to the studio and back. threw me his car keys and said, “DRIVE!” turned yellow and red, moved every time by the beauty The song carries some of that tension. An enormous “Where are we going?” I asked. and power of “We Don’t Know” by the Strumbellas. energy builds up over the next few lines, leading to a “Just drive,” he replied. perfectly timed drop – a collective pause before the I headed down our road and after a few minutes he told me to It begins with A minor, which is a melancholy kind of regular beat begins. slow down; he began to look frantically out the side window. Still chord. A worried chord, but just a small worry at first. We don’t know the roads that we’re heading down unsure of what was going on, I asked him what he was doing. The keyboard plays these opening notes, more sound than We don’t know if we’re lost, that we’ll find a way. He confessed that he had spent the last few hours driving up distinct notes – background noise in the key of Unease. We don’t know if we leave, will we make it home . . . and down the street looking for someone he thought he had hit. A guitar comes in, gently, same minor chord but with Sounds pretty bleak, I know. Yet these deeply an- Dad suffered fromO CD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Dad guished lyrics are set to unbelievably catchy, upbeat was a survivalist and he had led a double life. He had been suffering music. The result is that defiance edges ahead of despair. with this since he was 16 years old, but hid it from everyone until It’s hard when you’re living and you don’t feel much he was in his early 50s. For approximately 35 years, Dad waged a And you’re down and you’re hurting cause you don’t mental battle of which none of us, including my Mom, were aware. feel loved. Dad’s mind was trapped in an endless cycle of uncontrollable, Then that wonderful chorus again, and I’m shouting irrational thoughts. Dad was, in OCD terms, a “checker.” along because so many roads are unknown, and here Was the door locked? It felted locked when he tugged on it, The Strumbellas. is the bend in another one. Wouldn’t a map be nice? but was it truly locked? Some signposts now and then? How about a little less Did he put out his cigarette? The smoke is gone, but is the fire out? heartbreak for a change? Did he hit someone while driving? Just then the violin appears, as welcome as a ray of fall He didn’t see blood, but maybe the victim is lying in the ditch. Christian Courier sunshine or a cool drink on a hike. The violin solo lasts Did he pay his mortgage bill in the 1960s? The loan holder hasn’t Founded in 1945 nearly a minute, adding layer after layer to the melody, asked, but maybe there was a missed payment they didn’t catch. An independent biweekly that seeks to engage creatively ending in a beautiful, frenzied crescendo. And on . . . and on . . . and on. in critical Christian journalism, connecting Christians The harder he tried to reassure himself, the more he sank in the with a network of culturally savvy partners in faith for the purpose of inspiring all to participate in The music video for this song is a parody; the band trap. Survival was as natural to him as breathing. He couldn’t focus God’s renewing work within his fallen creation. members – clad as superheroes – fight a guy labelled on relationships, on himself or on hobbies. He was simply trying to EDITORIAL TEAM & PRODUCTION STAFF Lord Doom. Lord Doom defeats each musician one by exist and, all the while, tension and anxiety were building endlessly. Editor: Angela Reitsma Bick [email protected] one, and surely that’s the end. Until a new character Features Editor: Monica deRegt [email protected] called Captain Hope arrives, and ultimately triumphs. Don’t give up Church News Editor: Marian Van Til [email protected] It seems paradoxical. How can we escape a pit of Dad was a pioneer – one of the first patients to be given Prozac to Reviews Editor: Brian Bork [email protected] hopelessness? combat his anxiety and obsessions. Medication after medication Contributing Editor: Michael Buma [email protected] Contributing Editor: Peter Schuurman [email protected] Clue: with hope. Hope vanquishes doom even after was prescribed to try help him cope with life, but they came with Contributing Editor: Cathy Smith [email protected] all hope has been lost. That’s why the final lines are side effects. Treatments in the 80s were not as effective as they are Contributing Editor: Bert Witvoet [email protected] triumphant, and carry the first hints of certainty. today. Often, the medication would create in Dad a zombie-like ap- Admin/ads/web: Ineke Medcalf-Strayer [email protected] We all know, if we’re lost, that we’ll find a way [. . .] pearance, which caused him to sleep his free time away. Sometime Circulation: Rose der Nederlanden [email protected] We all know, there’s hope, then we’ll be okay. during the late 1990s, with the help of improved medication and Social Media Editor: Rachel Baarda [email protected] I hear God’s voice through this song. He’s speaking therapy, I think Dad finally lived a somewhat normal life again. Christian Courier is published by the Board of Reformed Faith Witness: Gary Van Eyk, Sylvan Gerritsma, Nelly Westerhoff and Emma Winter. to us both. If God can make a donkey his mouthpiece, Dad died on April 30, 1999. He was taken away from his The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not imply why not a rebellious hymn by a small band from Lindsay, house on a stretcher. He had fought the good fight and was agreement or endorsement by Christian Courier or the publisher. Ontario? tired; God didn’t want him to suffer anymore. Dad had raised Please contact circulation if you cannot afford the subscription “Have I not commanded you?” God reminded Joshua. a family, loved our Mom and his children, helped a friend price of $65.00 but want to receive Christian Courier. The paper is published the second and fourth Mondays of the month. And you remind me. “Be strong and courageous. Do wage a war on OCD and fought his own battles with it, quietly Christian Courier Tel: 905-682-8311 not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your living his life for Jesus through it all. He was 62 years old. 5 Joanna Dr 1-800-969-4838 God will be with you wherever you go.” One of my regrets is not telling him why I included a poem by St Catharines ON L2N 1V1 Web site: christiancourier.ca Unknown roads included. Dylan Thomas in my high school valedictorian address. Several times, even years later, Dad asked me about the poem’s meaning. Angela Reitsma Bick is Editor of Christian Courier. I would simply shrug and say, “It’s what you want it to mean.” She lives in Newcastle with her family. Continued on page 5 november 14, 2016 page 5 Column/News

Fermented Faith Brian Bork Will you be a CC A simple missional strategy: subscribe Christmas ambassador? Christian Courier is planning something big for our Christmas is- These are dicey those things in ways we likely sue – reaching an audience up to five times our current reach with days in the peri- don’t even recognize). I hear this an expanded print run! Creating a wider distribution will enable odical publish- cynicism in the jaded voices on more people to hear our message of hope and experience CC’s ing business. Twitter, from weary International Christian journalism, and may attract new subscribers. In addition, L a s t w e e k , Development professors on cam- CC will gain new advertisers while giving all our advertisers the Books & Cul- pus, and – at its worst – in a trendy opportunity to reach new people. ture, the review revolutionary fervour that says we This issue will be delivered in bulk to churches, educational magazine published by Christian- oughta burn things down and start institutions and other locations across Canada and select areas in ity Today, announced that it would over. (Trumpism is the most egre- the U.S. There are a few ways you can help with this project: be ceasing print publication after gious example of this). 1) Do you have a home church where you could deliver copies the current issue, and ending its Most curiously, I feel some of and promotional messages? online run at the end of 2017. this cynicism from folks in my 2) Do you know of another place where free copies of CC would Among my own subscriptions, own circles, especially from folks be well received? Books & Culture is the most recent who bear the “missional” mantle. We can mail you a box with 100 copies of the beautiful Christ- magazine to announce the end of Being “missional” is a current mas issue at no cost to you. It will be packed with top-quality art its run, though it certainly won’t be preoccupation of church leaders, and content. the last. Its end has hit me harder and for the most part, I think it’s Please contact us today to volunteer, get more information or than most, though. No doubt all of ie’s budget was five million bucks, great. But it does seem to value the share your ideas: email [email protected]. us – dedicated CC readers that you a sum that would, I suspect, fund hyper-local, it does seem to have a If you are unable to volunteer your time but can provide a finan- are – have an affinity for the printed B&C for years to come. short view of history, and it does cial boost towards associated shipping costs, CC will gratefully word, and we see the obvious ben- So I’ve been wondering: how seem to be particularly suscep- accept your donations. Consider giving a $100 donation, which efits of a broad array of thriving did we get to this point? And I tible to trends. Those can be good would cover about five boxes or 500 issues to be mailed. Dona- publications. But we probably have don’t just mean how we got to things, allowing for ministries that tions are tax our favourites, too. Books & Cul- a place where publications like are nimble and relevant to a par- d e d u c t i b l e ture was one of mine. B&C are eking out their survival ticular context. But I do wonder and can be That’s undoubtedly because it – there’s lots of postulation out how durable a foundation they’re made online just seemed to get what I value there about that. capable of setting down. at christian- so much about the Reformed ap- What concerns me more is some- Of course we want to be rel- courier.ca. –500 proach to literature and culture. thing deeper: we are in the midst evant. But we should seek to be CC a m - A love of big ideas. A critical ex- of a rapid divestment of many of resilient, too, right? And I think bassadors will –450 ploration of culture that treads the our most hard-earned institutions. supporting our well-weathered be recognized –400 loamy ground between the ditches Institutions that have taken decades and durable institutions can be in the January –350 of disengagement and uncritical to build are floundering, being sold one of the ways we foster that issue for their –300 acceptance. And maybe most im- off for parts, or otherwise languish- resilience. So, maybe a great mis- d e d i c a t i o n portantly: a steadfast recognition ing with no clear sense of where sional strategy can be as simple t o s p r e a d - –250 that you not only can, but ought to they’re heading next. This is true as this: renew a subscription, and ing quality –200 love God with your mind. Books of our publications, but also our maybe buy a gift subscription for news, clues –100 & Culture excelled at these things, institutions of higher learning, and someone else. Support the humble and kingdom – 50 and I fondly recall the articles that even some of our ministries. print institutions that have nour- views! have helped me along the way. ished us for years already, that As the news of Books & Cul- Foster resilience have fostered broad community, ture’s end broke, a disillusioned I won’t pretend that I have the most that have amassed the wisdom of editor of another magazine tweeted accurate diagnosis of what’s going years gone by for the sake of the that someday, some historian of on here. I do have some theories, years to come. 21st century Christianity would though, and maybe you do too. discover that in 2016, Christians Chief among them is that we’re Brian Bork is CC’s Re- found the money for the execrable living in a profoundly cynical time, view Editor and a CRC Christian Courier movie God’s Not Dead 2, while where we’re skeptical of the value chaplain at the Univer- Canada mail: U.S. mail: they shuttered Books & Culture. of the institutions we’ve inherited sity of Waterloo and Wil- Publications Mail Agreement No. Christian Courier (USPS 518-090) frid Laurier University. 40009999 Second-class postage paid at According to Wikipedia, the mov- (while, ironically, benefiting from Return undeliverable Canadian Lewiston NY addresses to Postmaster: send address Christian Courier changes to: Christian Courier Hidden in plain view for 35 years continued Henry Vanderlaan is 5 joanna dr Box 110 Do not go gentle into that good night an OCD survivor, too. St. Catharines ON L2n 1v1 Lewiston NY 14092 Rage, rage against the dying of the light. He hid his own battle email: [email protected] If I had the chance today to explain, I would tell him, “Don’t give from 1986–1995 before Subscriptions: Canada and USA Online Overseas up, Dad. Keep up the fight. Be an immigrant boy.” And with the lines: seeking help. Today, he one year (24 issues) $65.00 $40.00 $100 And you, my father, there on the sad height lives a full and happy two years (48 issues) $120.00 Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray, . . . life with his wife and Advertising deadlines: display and classified advertising: Tuesday, 9 a.m. (13 days before three teenage children in I would say, if all you could say was a curse, then I would know you publication date) See classified pages or web sitewww.christiancourier.ca for more details. Waterdown, Ontario, and (ISSN 1192-3415) Published second and fourth Mondays of the month. still had a fight in you. I love you, Dad. speaks to youth groups, Address all correspondence to: 5 Joanna Dr, St. Catharines ON L2N 1V1 Before I go, just one more thing . . . is it too late to say I’m proud high schools and parents Tel: 905-682-8311 or 1-800-969-4838 of you, Dad? about his journey back e-mail: Advertising: [email protected] No? I didn’t think so. to health (vanderlaan- Subscriptions: [email protected] PRINTED IN CANADA – Henry (Mij Yonk) [email protected]). PAGE 6 christian courier News CRC opens search for new mission agency director for a person to serve as the director for the can recommend next spring for approval by organization unfold, the two agencies are new agency being formed by the unification Synod 2017 in June. Among other things, already combining their efforts in various of Christian Reformed Home Missions and the job description for the new agency direc- locations, said Watson. “They are find- Christian Reformed World Missions. tor says that the CRCNA is looking to hire ing ways to do mission work together in In opening the search for the director, the someone who will advocate “for the biblical communities where the world has come to CRCNA’s board of trustees approved a job vision for a diverse denomination through the shores and neighbourhoods of North description and asked that an announcement support for intercultural church and ministry America,” he said. Some examples of these be posted about the position. In addition, a development, for diversity in the new mis- efforts are ongoing outreach ministries in website detailing qualifications for the job sion agency staff, and for reconciliation and such cities as Montreal and Houston, Texas. is available at crcna.org/NMAdirector. The anti-racism plans and efforts.” Other efforts have also taken place in which trustees also determined that in 2019 the Besides seeking a new director for the World Missions staff andH ome Missions staff board will review whether the model of one new mission agency, the new structure calls have joined international resources with local director is sufficient to cover the bi-national for positions including a director of U.S. ones. For instance, this past summer, repre- and international needs of the new agency. teams, a director of Canadian teams and two sentatives of the two agencies coordinated a “We are moving ahead very quickly, and directors of international missions, one for meeting of CRC pastors with Arabic and Farsi- things are starting to come together,” said Europe and Asia and the other for Africa speaking Christian ministries doing work with Colin Watson, Sr., the CRCNA’s director of and Latin America. In addition, there will Muslim immigrants in the Toronto area. ministries and administration. “Meanwhile, be a director of capacity building and in- “We will be, and are, working in com- New agency combines Home and World Missions. we have work to do as we move ahead to novation and a director of mission support. munities that have become multi-ethnic July 1, 2017, when we will officially create These positions are expected to be filled and multicultural, and we are finding ways GRAND RAPIDS, Mich./BURLINGTON, the new mission agency.” with existing agency personnel. to engage with these communities. We are Ont. (CRCNA) – The Christian Reformed The goal, said Watson, is to identify a new Even as the search is on for a new direc- excited to consider what God will be doing Church in North America is now searching director of the new agency whom the BOT tor, and other aspects of creating the new through this new agency,” said Watson.

Ontario CRC lends people of all abilities to World Renew Disaster Response Team

Christ Meehan teams did everything from hanging drywall to painting to insulation to yard cleanup. In BURLINGTON, Ont. (CRCNA) – Joelle the evenings we met together for devotions Wilhelm never had to know how to use a and prayer at the church,” said the pastor. screw gun before. But this summer, the first- year university student from Community Double benefits Christian Reformed Church in Kitchener, Hosting a trip that included volunteers with Ontario, who was born without a left arm, physical challenges and developmental dis- used the tool to fasten screws into drywall abilities was unusual for World Renew, but as a way to help others. it was worth the effort, said ArtO pperwall, Wilhelm was in Union Beach, N.J., as program manager for World Renew DRS. part of an inter-generational mission trip “We recognize that there is great value in that her church took to help World Re- including people with disabilities whenever org new’s Disaster Response Services in its possible,” said Opperwall. “Clearly it’s an . ongoing work following the devastation experience that benefits the volunteer with a crcna that occurred four years ago in the wake of disability who is often excluded, but there’s Each member of the team brought unique gifts to the project. Superstorm Sandy. also benefit to the group and to the commu- “I wasn’t sure how to use the screw gun,” nity in which the group serves.” Working partners the 19-year-old climbed on a ladder to in- said Wilhelm, who has a prosthetic arm. “But In the past, said the pastor, Community Matthias Mostert, a first-year university stall sheet rock under a house. people on my team were patient and took the CRC sponsored a youth mission trip every student, went on the trip as a “working “My son loved the experience. It was a time to show me how to put the screws into year, but the Kitchener church took the partner” for a young man with developmen- perfect opportunity for people to get to know the drywall.” Team members also helped her opportunity, after its youth minister left tal disabilities. He and the young man are him. And it was wonderful to see him sit with to carry sheets of drywall into the home they a couple years ago, to reevaluate how it good friends and sit together during Sunday a different group of people every night when were repairing, showing her how to do the handled mission trips. services. They also enjoy playing guitar and we ate dinner,” said Shoemaker. Although he work with the strength of her full arm. “It In fact, reviewing the matter of mission going out to coffee. didn’t say much, he took part in the meals with was a great trip. It really brought us together trips became part of an overall assessment of Even though he was busy this summer, many people who were otherwise strangers as a church,” said Wilhelm. the church, and Community CRC developed Mostert agreed to accompany his friend, who to him, she said. “My whole family enjoyed Persons with such difficulties as asthma, a new vision statement, detailing how it is 28, to New Jersey. “I was there to help going on this trip,” she added. “It gave us the Asperger’s syndrome, autism, arthritis and wanted to worship, conduct its overall min- keep him on task, but everybody at the work chance to do something unique together.” others like Wilhelm with physical limita- istry, and do mission work. “Our church went site took responsibility for helping him,” said Mark Stephenson, director of the CRC’s tions went to New Jersey in late August through a big visioning process to get where Mostert. “It was really good. A lot of us were Office of Disability Concerns, helped the to do restoration work. In all, 42 church we are,” said Medendorp. “We decided we able to see all of the things he can do, like church as it navigated some of the chal- members ranging in age from 9 to 70-some- wanted to be an inter-generational church.” rolling paint, sanding and mudding drywall.” lenges involved in planning this trip.“With thing volunteered to be part of the inter- “I poured my heart and soul into helping Sandra Shoemaker went on the trip with creative thinking and fresh eyes, Commu- generational mission trip. organize this trip,” said Joan Passchier, head her son, who has developmental disabilities, nity CRC and DRS saw the gifts that each The group stayed at the Reformed of the service trip committee and a member and her daughter, who also has challenges. member of the team brought to the project,” Church of Highland Park, and every day of the church’s Youth Ministries Team. Her husband decided to go as well. Her son he said. “By doing that, they made sure they broke into groups of six to fan out and “With the feedback we got after the trip, ev- is enrolled in a building skills class in high that each person belonged to the team, like work at various locations, said John Me- eryone told us that the most memorable part school and was happy to able to use those a puzzle that’s complete only when all the dendorp, pastor of Community CRC. “The for them was the inter-generational piece.” skills in New Jersey. Among other things, pieces are fitted into place.” november 14, 2016 page 7 News Evangelical Fellowship asks prayer re: parliamentary initiatives ‘You can make a difference’ Marian Van Til, with files from EFC/Parliament of Canada palliative care services provided through home care, long term care facilities and residential hospices.” RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) is asking Canadian Christians to pray ‘Devastating consequences’ for what they’ve identified as “three very positive Par- The study of the public health effects of violent sexual images liamentary initiatives” this fall. The request, along with online is being requested in private members Motion M-47 by information on the initiatives, has been posted on EFC’s Arnold Vierson (Peace River-Westlock, Alberta). Vierson says blog (blog.evangelicalfellowship.ca). “online sexually explicit material – much of which is violent All three initiatives come from private members bills and degrading – has never been so accessible, to adults or to brought forward for discussion and a vote by individual children.” Vierson wants a study of the societal, public health MPs. Two of the initiatives ask for a “palliative care frame- effects of this material and its ease of access. work” and a study of the “public health effects of violent A sample letter, which EFC suggests Canadians use to Donald N. and Kathleen G. Bastian. sexual images online.” The third relates to what is being write to their MPs about this issue, notes that “youth exposed referred to as “Cassie and Molly’s Law.” to violent and sexually degrading images are more likely to Illinois theology school accept sexual harassment and violence, to have multiple sex Need consistent, compassionate access partners and to engage in early, more frequent, more permis- named after Brampton, “Palliative care offers compassionate care for those who sive and riskier sexual activity.” It goes on to say that “expo- Ontario, couple are suffering or who are at the end of life,” notes the blog. sure to these images is contributing to the rise in sexual harass- Members Bill C-277, introduced by MP Marilyn Gladu ment, assault and rape – and the recording and distribution of Marian Van Til, with files from Greenville Col- (Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario), would require the government images and video of these – on school and college campuses lege/Donald G. Bastian (Jr.) “to develop a framework on palliative care.” across the country,” with “devastating consequences.”

GREENVILLE, Illinois – A 90-year-old couple who Killing a mother and pre-born child live in Brampton, Ontario, have been accorded an Cassie and Molly’s Law would be the result of passing a bill unusual honour: a four-year liberal arts college in the put forward by MP Kathay Wagantall (Yorkton-Melville, On- state of Illinois has named its theology school after tario), and named after Cassie Kraake from southern Ontario. the husband and wife. Cassie Karrake was seven months pregnant when she and her Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, 45 min- unborn daughter, who she had named Molly, were murdered. utes east of St. Louis, Missouri, now has a Donald Bill C-225 would “create an offence for deliberately injuring N. and Kathleen G. Bastian School of Theology, or causing the death of a pre-born child while committing an Philosophy and Ministry. Announced at the same time offence against a pregnant woman,” explains the EFC blog. as the new school was the endowment at the college In a late update to the blog post, EFC notes that in a of the Donald N. Bastian Chair of Pastoral Theology vote on October 19 this bill was defeated. The EFC urges and Christian Ministry. continued prayer about the other two initiatives and as- The naming of the school of theology school was sures its members and readers, “Your involvement makes part of the college’s move to university status in Should the Canada Health Act include palliative care services? a difference!” The EFC admits that private members bills 2017. It “honours the Bastians for their service to the “often don’t pass in the House of Commons.” Even if they Greenville Free Methodist Church, associated with the That “framework” should be designed to make sure Ca- don’t, however, they are important because they raise the college, from 1961 to 1974, as well as their lifetime of nadians have “consistent access” to palliative care provided profile of the issues they put forward, they are put on the ministry through the Free Methodist denomination,” (among others) through hospitals, home care, long-term care agenda and at least force MPs to think about those issues. noted a college press release. facilities and residential hospices. The framework would The blog post ends by asserting, “Your MP is more Donald Bastian was a bishop in the Free Methodist define palliative care, identify the training and education likely to support these initiatives if they hear from you,” Church of North America from 1974 to 1990, and led needed by palliative care providers, and identify measures and then urging, “Why not take a few minutes to phone the Canadian church to “General Conference” status in to support those caregivers. The framework would also col- or write your MP to ask them to support these initiatives? 1990. He served as bishop of the Canadian church from lect research and data on palliative care and “evaluate the Please join us in praying for our MPs, for these initiatives that year to 1993. In the late 1970s he was also chair advisability of amending the Canada Health Act to include and for the good of our land.” of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC). In the early 1990s, he helped establish a chair of Wesley stud- ies program at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. That chair FBI rescues 72 victims of has since been renamed by Tyndale: the Donald N. and human trafficking Kathleen G. Bastian Chair of Wesley Studies. “One of our key strategic goals is to build on OLYMPIA, Washington (BCN/GospelHerald) – Late last our strong foundation with both the Free Method- month U.S. federal agents and local and Washington state ist denomination and the Christian church at large,” police arrested 14 people suspected of forcing a staggering Greenville College President Ivan Filby. “The Bastian 72 people into prostitution, including five children. school and chair will certainly help us to do this.” According to the Spokesman-Review, all 72 victims Bastian has been “widely regarded as a highly ef- were freed following “Operation Cross Country X” – the fective preacher and Bible teacher,” said the college. 10th sting since 2008. “Victims and the pimps travel He has written several books, including two Word throughout eastern and western Washington to work and do including Cambodia, the Philippines and Thailand. Guild Award winners, The Pastor’s First Love and not necessarily reside in the area where they were located “Operation Cross Country aims to shine a spotlight into God’s House Rules: Seven Biblical Truths to Trans- this week,” the FBI said about the sting. the darkest corners of our society that seeks to prey on form and Enrich your Family. The FBI used undercover agents to make contact with the most vulnerable of our population,” said FBI director At 90 years old Donald Bastian doesn’t appear to be the sex slaves while they canvassed the areas frequented James Comey when he announced the results of the opera- slowing down. He writes a weekly blog, Just Call Me by women and their pimps. Some of the freed women, ac- tion during a press conference in San Diego. “We are not Pastor, he continues to speak in churches, and teaches cording to KREM-TV, had been forced into slavery when only looking to root out those who engage in the trafficking at a Free Methodist church in Lakeland, Florida, when they were just children. The operation was a part of a wider of minors, but through our Office for Victim Assistance, he and Kathleen spent the winter months there. initiative, still ongoing, aimed at prosecuting sex slavery we offer a lifeline to minors to help them escape from a that has spanned the U.S., Canada and other countries, virtual prison no person ever deserves.” My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Christ @ Culture Province Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til

Toddlers to Teens From the Lab christian courier PAGEDenise 8 Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom Letter/Column

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA & Powers Everyday Christian David Koyzis TheCathy old Smith neighbourhood I grew up in a modest neighbourhood in a a member of our church. Although a girl in my sister’s class suburb of Chicago in the 1960s. My parents was an atheist – an exotic specimen in my hometown – our Technically Speakingbuilt their first home there in 1958 Gettingfor the school Unstuc neverthelessk put on a full Christmas programme every princely sum of $19,000! It was a three- year, complete with carols about the birth of Christ. And then Derek Schuurmanbedroom ranch that shared the sameArlene basic Vtherean Hove was the Fun-a-Rama, a spring fund-raising bazaar in design with a row of ranches on the south which everyone participated in some fashion. side of the street. On the north side were a Our town was in a floodplain, and an especially mal- line of one-and-a-half storey bungalows with dormers on the odorous creek flowed behind our house. On a dare from roofs.Intangible As children Things we played regularly with the other childrenFlowers a friend,and Thistles I swung over the creek on a rope hanging from a who lived around us, and our parents generally knew each tree branch, only to have the rope break and find myself Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch other and would occasionally be at each other’s homes. The plunging into the filthy waters below, much to the irritation elementary school was right on the opposite corner from us, of my longsuffering parents. and we mixed freely together in the school and playground. CountryAlthough thisLiving was not an old neighbourhood, havingWords frBuildingom community been laid out shortly after the end of the war, it was aWild good HorsesHaving had such a wonderful childhood, I find it easy neighbourhoodMeindert Vander where Galien people chatted with each otherW andarkentins to become nostalgic about our old neighbourhood. I still seemed to have a sense of community. dream occasionally of that ranch house in which we some- There were some colourful characters living near us. how managed to squeeze eight people – albeit not exactly The elderly couple we all feared because they didn’t like comfortably. It was not a perfect neighbourhood, but we childrenPatchwork playing Wo in rdtheirs yard. A woman whom we Ourcalled W orldnevertheless Today made the time to cultivate the bonds of friend- “Mrs Fritzy” after the eponymous dachshund she walked ship with the people living around us. pastMeliss our ahouse Kuipers every day. The man who had spent 10Bert years Hielema Is this still true today? Do neighbourhoods still have a in the Soviet GULAG and travelled around lecturing on the sense of community? I cannot speak for everyone, of course, threat of communism. The sports writer for the Chicago but judging from my own experience I fear it may be a thing pixabay Sun-Times who briefly lived across the street and almost of the past. Houses are consumer items that we purchase, immediately moved away after his divorce. The professor knowing full well that we are likely to sell them again at economic well-being, but of building community and im- with three PhDs who would regularly come to our house some point. We put a lot of our financial resources into our proving the shared life of the surrounding neighbourhood? to borrow, of all things, our dictionary. homes, trying to maintain and even increase their value so It might be even better than the neighbourhood in which I We lived there for 10 years, but they were formative years that they can be resold easily when the time comes. But this grew up so many years ago. for my siblings and me. We were Presbyterians attending makes whatever community exists in a neighbourhood very a public school named for a New England transcendental- transient indeed. We are committed to our homes, but less David T. Koyzis is the author of Political Visions and Illu- ist. I knew which children in my classes were protestants to the communities of which we are supposed to be part. sions (2003) and We Answer to Another: Authority, Of- and which Catholic, and at least two of my teachers were What if a group of friends were to buy up adjacent fice, and the Image of God (2014).He teaches politics and evangelicals, one of whom had a Frisian surname and was homes with the intention, not just of securing their own humanities at Redeemer University College. Reformed universities: Semper renovanda I deeply appreciated Derek Schuurman’s piece on “How lively conversation celebrating the joy of learning. dows flooded the house with light and opened new views can Christian universities flourish?” (Christian Courier, In recent years I’ve come to see the limitations of this of the neighbourhood. It was still the same house, with Oct. 10, 2016). I agree wholeheartedly with the four main hospitality metaphor. In Canada, our reality is that Christian plenty of marks of the 1940s. But it also had wonderful tasks Derek identifies, particularly his claim that Christian universities must include professors and students from a new features that transformed the living space. colleges and universities must remain “laser-focused on variety of Christian traditions; no single (Protestant) group Everybody knows that a home renovation project is the their mission.” As he says, history shows that when this has the critical mass to develop a university of its “own.” ultimate test of a marriage, and there’s no reason to think focus is lost institutions soon lose their way. Generally that’s a very good thing; it helps us resist the temp- that institutional renovation is any different. It’s an adven- Derek writes that a Reformed missional institution must be tation to become ingrown. The trouble with the Reformed ture. To avoid collapse, a good renovation project needs a “hospitably Reformed” as it interacts with students, support- “open house” metaphor is that makes it difficult for faculty plan that maintains the integrity of the original structure ers and the wider world. In other words, a Reformed college/ and students from other traditions to really feel a sense of while adding the benefits of the new. For a Christian univer- university should be an “open house” where the welcome mat institutional ownership. No matter how hospitable the con- sity, the blueprint is the biblical vision that God, in Christ, is out and people from various traditions are invited into a versation, it’s still not their house. I’ve heard that sentiment was and is busy reconciling all things (including university from professors who have served at a Reformed institution education) to himself. Like other Christian universities, for 20 years or more. But if a university is going to be The King’s University tried to capture this “renovation “laser-focused” on its mission, it’s essential that everybody, plan” in its mission statement: King’s exists “to provide especially long-term faculty, have a deep ownership stake. university education that equips learners to bring renewal and reconciliation to every walk of life as followers of Undergoing renovation Jesus Christ, the Servant-King.” I’m sure that anyone with While serving at The King’s University I learned to talk Reformed ear can hear familiar undertones in those words. about the institution as a house undergoing renovation. But it’s also a project description which people from other Actually, the house where we lived in Edmonton taught tradition can fully own. me that lesson. It was a little 1940’s era house that was I’m sure this renovation metaphor isn’t perfect. But if substantially rebuilt over the years. The foundations of the we’re talking about how Christian universities in Canada original house were deep and the structure solid, but the can flourish in the 21st century, I think it’s important to go rooms were small and the windows didn’t bring in much beyond hospitality and take the risk of moving some walls light. The renovation changed all that. A two-storey addi- and adding new windows. tion doubled the size. It wasn’t seamless; you could feel Harry Fernhout a little bump in the floor where the old and new met. The President Emeritus foundations of the addition weren’t as deep. But the win- The King’s University november 14, 2016 page 9 Reviews Relevance is over-rated A life-changing Peter Schuurman bus driving gig Sayers argues in this small book that in a post-Christian Tom Konyndyk society, where consumerism reigns and the desires of the self are the revolving centre, the church needs to shift Craig Davidson is a promising fiction writer its posture from relevance to resilience with respect to in 2008 (recently published) with a well-re- broader cultural life. The primary strategy for much of viewed book of short stories and a set of sup- evangelicalism in the last decades – take the seeker church portive friends and family members. Further movement as a prime illustration – has been cultural reso- success, however, eludes him. He encounters, nance. The goal was to contextualize the gospel, translate if not Job-like calamities, events that change theology into the vernacular, mimic popular musical his life for the worse. His agent and his Ameri- styles and create familiar environments for unchurched can publisher are so unenthusiastic about his neighbours. Be all things to all people. forthcoming novel that they both sever busi- Sayers argues this creates a very fluid, fragile “flash- ness ties with him. A novel, published in Can- mob” church that does impressive networking to gather a ada, sells poorly. Depressed and downhearted crowd but lacks the institutional structures to truly disciple he turns briefly to drink and over the counter people for long-term faithful worship and service. This sleeping aids. The struggles that marked his Disappearing Church: From Cultural Precious Cargo: My Year Driving critique includes emergent, missional and new monastic early attempts at becoming a writer seem to be Relevance to Gospel Resilience the Kids on School Bus 3077 churches as well, each vying in different ways to contextu- returning with a vengeance. Davidson doesn’t By Mark Sayers By Craig Davidson alize the gospel for different social niches. Like sagebrush, gloss over this isolated, troubled phase, but it Moody Publishers, 2016 Knopf Canada, 2016 they blow away with the winds of change. is not until he dares to enter an entirely new A threefold scheme of human history from sociologist Philip Rieff frames Sayer’s approach. The community that the heart of his memoir, Precious Cargo, truly begins. first culture is a traditional oral culture that believes in many gods and unpredictable spiritual forces, Since teaching or conducting creative writing workshops aren’t options, Davidson cultivating a fearful existence. A second culture developed around sacred scriptures (Judeo-Christian), applies for a number of less-than-prestigious positions – including worm harvester. He which brought order and rationality to human life through a clear code for human flourishing. The third leaves a library job after becoming embroiled in a dispute over who was authorized culture is driven to deconstruct the second culture, elevating the freedom and autonomy of the individual. to water a ficus plant. Eventually he finds himself responding to a cheap-looking In neo-Gnostic disdain for matter and institutions, nothing is sacred but the self in this last category. mailbox flyer looking to recruit school bus drivers. The upshot is this: Our culture has become an unfamiliar forest in which anti-institutional winds Nestled in a dumpy industrial neighbourhood in north Calgary the school bus blow strong. Christians cannot be “relevant” to a culture that sees Christianity, institutions and codes driver hiring centre compares unfavourably to libraries and publishing houses. Ini- as inherently oppressive and which lionizes self-centred ethics. To chase after this rebellious culture tially the university-educated and semi-successful writer finds it hard not to sneer at can be self-defeating, and may ultimately colonize Christian witness. “ample-bottomed Jordache-clad entities . . . [that] gather before the final school bell This is the crux for Sayers: accommodate by adjusting your views on sexual ethics or shifting to exchange photographs of their grandchildren and cats, smoke absurdly long men- to universalist views of Jesus to avoid offending cultural elites, and you have been converted to a tholated cigarettes . . . and carp about sciatica, lumbago, varicose veins . . .” and so on. different faith. “For many Christians raised with the ethic of relevance, of proving to the world that Acclimatized to his fate by being hired, trained and actually getting to know Christians can both be believers and carry the contemporary currency of cool, the new pressure some of his colleagues, he settles into trying to make the best of his situation. As presented by an intolerant tolerance proves too much. Some compartmentalize their beliefs into fate would decree he’s assigned to driving a bussette – often referred to much-less- an orthodox/secularist mashup, and others simply disappear into the cold embrace of secularity” charitably as the short bus. His precious cargo manifest includes passengers with (48). This post-Christian secularity is clean and beautiful on the outside, adds Sayers, replete with autism, cerebral palsy and something he had never heard of: Fragile X. Syndrome. style and affluence, but it’s empty, sad and nihilistic on the inside. He finds himself googling “disabled” – trying to get a feel for what he is to Sayers recommends a rhythm of “withdraw and return” with regards to culture inspired by Ig- face – ultimately concluding, “There were so many tiers and gradients to the term. natius and John Calvin. The result is the formation of a “creative minority” who build institutions And I’d never properly considered any of them.” like church that shape and shelter people in ways that cultivate shalom. This means accepting our Shortly thereafter in the narrative, these passengers take on human faces. Enter limits in terms of what we might experience, and working under the radar of popular culture to Vincent, a hulking Grade 12er who “talks funny” and knows absolutely everything nurture spiritual disciplines that build our character in Christlikeness. about Star Wars . . . “absooolllluuutely!” Oliver’s next, with “protuberant ears and a This ultimately conservative book is refreshing insofar as it makes the cultural moment of de- vaguely elongated face.” He’s a snappy dresser, a nonstop talker, an inveterate BSer Christianization clear. The deconstructive “third culture” sounds familiar to us in Canada, even and afflicted with Fragile SX yndrome. Symptoms often include mild to moderate if Sayers lives in Australia. I am not convinced the second culture – which displayed rigid, even intellectual disability. Then there’s Nadja: mysteriously nice almost all the time legalistic norms and a culture of racial segregation (for example) is as desirable as Sayers assumes. who dresses in pink from head to foot every single day. Gavin, extremely taciturn, I would also contend that the third culture, with its critical appraisal of Christendom, may contain speaks not a word for days on end, if you don’t count the soulfulness in his eyes. some prophetic critiques to which we ought to penitently respond. Some second culture colonizing Last on this short list, but far from least is Jake: recently bereaved of his lov- of first cultures carries a sad legacy of cultural prejudice and appropriation (which Sayers briefly ing mother in a tragic accident, permanently challenged by cerebral palsy and acknowledges). In effect, I think focusing more on God’s kingdom and less on the institutional wheelchair bound for life. His steely resolve to surmount any obstacle is exem- church might helpfully blur the lines in Sayers’ three-part scheme. plified by his attempts at piloting his wheelchair “like a fighter pilot banking his Overall, however, the call from relevance to resilience (and add in repentance and resistance) is jet into a tactical turn.” A deep male friendship of trust, care, and respect takes certainly apt. The crude pragmatism that drives churches to seek legitimacy in dominant consumer shape between Jake and the author. culture deserves our critique and abandonment. To extend the call to resilience further, we can opt Davidson expertly weaves engaging personality traits with the harsh realities of what out of pursuing legitimacy with some forms of political correctness that subtly engender a form of being classified as disabled means to his charges. In fact, the author’s novelistic skills self-censorship. All religions are not fundamentally the same. The self is not sacred, the individual serve him well in bringing these human beings to life on the page. Overt sentimentality is not god, and institutions are not inherently evil. is kept to a minimum. Gentle and self-deprecating humour leaven the proceedings. The opposite of relevance is prophetic living. Prophetic speech requires some distance, some No particular agenda (philosophical or religious) is brought forward by this account. resignation to exile in the desert, and though the crowds do not follow, a few disciples may just catch The author’s words in a prologue/disclaimer at the book’s beginning may best describe the vision of a creative subculture for the common good. This is living as salt and light in secular its intent: “What’s important is who they were, and are; and who I was and became. society. To some extent, that is what Christian institution building has been busy with for generations I hope I have managed to be faithful to the experience we shared.” It’s an experience already – resilient kingdom living in a host culture that ignores, resents and even that speaks to the worth, value and dignity of every human being, sometimes oppresses Christian testimony. Sayers’ book is helpful if not understood and worth sharing beyond bus 3077. as nostalgic or whining, but as a call to some risk, sacrifice and adventure. A call to Tom Konyndyk’s working life has encompassed editing, stand firm, like a tall willow bent in a strong wind but rooted deep in rich soil. proofreading, copy-writing and technical writing. Nowadays Peter Schuurman is a Contributing Editor for CC. He is an adjunct when he isn’t relaxing with a good book he operates White professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University College. Rabbit Books, a mostly used book store in Georgetown, Ont. PAGE 10 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Features Hospitable reconciliation Cathy Smith: tions Coordinator Bernadette Arthur, who An interview with Thea DeGroot works in the Burlington office, and Justice and Reconciliation Mobilizer Shannon On September 12, 2016 I met with my Perez from Winnipeg, had been looking friend Thea DeGroot, retired teacher and for a First Nation opportunity. When they Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) board heard about this program, they thought member, for a companionable chat about it was great because it was an invitation her visit to Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwig coming from a First Nation. It was late in (KI) First Nation, a fly-in community about the application process, but Andree prom- 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. She ised them five spots. They both wanted to travelled with fellow CRC members Israel go themselves and had hoped to get three Cooper, Bernadette Arthur and Shannon more young people. On such short notice Perez, as well as other guests, including they were able to recruit only one student, Toronto mayor John Tory who spent a few Israel Cooper. Someone then suggested to days with the group. This interview has them that I might like to go along. been edited for length and clarity. A key point of the trip is to understand that we’re all treaty people. We signed the CHRISTIAN COURIER: How did this op- treaties as well as the First Nations, so we portunity come your way? have responsibilities toward that and they THEA DEGROOT: This is the fourth year do as well. It’s important to understand what the trip has been held. It has its roots in life is like on a First Nation, to learn some the “Journey of Nishiyuu” or “Journey of the history and how the system we have of the People.” In 2013 a group of Cree now came to be, and why; for example, young people in the Northern communities KI youth call us Canadians but don’t call decided to walk to Ottawa in the winter to themselves Canadians. talk to Prime Minister Harper. Four young people from KI joined the walk. When they Can you tell us about your host family? A warm welcome upon arrival. got to Ottawa, Prime Minister Harper didn’t I stayed with a single mom, Esther, and meet with them; he met with the panda her four kids. Three were her own and business. Teachers come from the south isn’t always the same one. A dentist comes bears in Toronto instead. The four KI youth one was a child of a relative. There are for periods of time, but, because there is so in as well, but not nearly as often. A lot of decided, “Well, if the Canadians don’t lis- no official adoption papers, but it happens little to do in the community, there is high people have very bad teeth; there’s a lot of ten to us when we’re here on their space, regularly in that community that they raise staff turnover. dental decay. let’s invite them to ours.” With the help of somebody else’s child. Esther has diabetes. There are two grocery stores there that KI’s x-ray machine has been broken for filmmaker Andree Cazabon, they organ- Part of both of her feet are missing, but she’s are locally owned. The selection was lim- two years. The provincial and federal gov- ized this reconciliation effort. Andree does still walking. Her family is under the care of ited, but the prices were reasonable. They ernments are fighting about who has to take the planning in the south and the KI youth Children’s Aid. The KI community, with a did have fresh fruit and veggies, maybe not responsibility for the problem. Meanwhile, run the weeklong program, developed in population of 1,200, has 22 kids under care. quite as fresh as we have. Some people also every time an x-ray is needed, the patient consultation with the elders. The first year This is a big improvement from the past; have a variety store in their house. A nearby has to fly out. If you’re pregnant, you’ll be 54 people signed up at a cost of $4,000 per the number used to be much higher. Esther First Nation only has a corporate store and flown out of KI three weeks before the baby person, the amount basically covering the can care for her children well enough that its prices are outrageous. is due – by yourself, unless you can afford cost of airfare and food. they don’t have to leave home, but she has KI has a nursing station with local nurses to take someone with you. If there are com- I knew about the reconciliation trip the limited resources. as well as nurses who come in for one or plications, nobody is there to support you. very first year that they did it. As someone One night I stayed at the house of one two weeks at a time. KI residents have to Housing is a problem because, in the who worked at Aamjiwnaang First Nation of the young people who had participated provide accommodations for these nurses, words of one elder, some of the original as an educational instructor for a number in the “Journey of the People.” She has a so that adds a whole extra layer of cost. houses were “summer houses.” The de- of years, I had a good level of knowledge 13-year-old, a couple of other kids and a They have a doctor who comes in. Most signer was somebody who lived in Florida about First Nations. I never applied, think- brand new baby. She told me that, growing of the time there is a doctor on site, but it so they weren’t really suitable. There was a ing that someone should go who doesn’t up, school was the only safe place for her, know anything about First Nations. Mean- not home, because of the addictions of her while, two CRC staff members, Race Rela- parents. I could tell that she is not raising Third World Canada her children that way. There is certainly a shift happening. Her kids won’t have to say Third Word Canada is an eye-opening documentary by producer and writer, Andree that school is the only safe place. Home is Cazabon. Filmed in 2010 in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Ont., the docu- a safe place for them, too. mentary is an indictment of shocking poverty in a rich nation. Fifteen percent of all sales of the film are donated directly to children in First Nations communities. What were the living conditions like in (Visit thirdworldcanada.ca for more information or to purchase and view the film.) the community? DeGroot says: “My husband and I watched the film before I left for KI so that There is an elementary school that goes both he and I would have a bit of a picture of what life is like there. It’s a very up to Grade 10, but no high school, so se- moving film about children in care. The film focuses on a family tragedy after nior students have to go to Thunder Bay or the deaths of three of the parents of eight children – the first dad who committed Sioux Lookout. Sometimes they end up in suicide a number of years ago, the second dad and the mother within a short period hotels which is not a good option. Five kids of time of each other. The film addresses how the community struggles to make just died recently in Thunder Bay. Would wise decisions for the care of those eight children. At the screening of the film in you send your kids away? The principal at KI during my week there, two of the daughters featured in the film and an aunt the KI school told us that it’s really hard to were present and made themselves available to answer questions. One of the most convince native teachers to go out and get moving experiences was hearing Lily, the daughter, standing in front of all of us Israel Cooper, Thea DeGroot, Bernadette further education because they don’t know and in a soothing voice, saying, ‘You can ask me anything. It's ok.’” Arthur, Shannon Perez. anybody off the reservation. It’s a lonely NOVEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 11

Features time when it was decided to put septic tanks You’re an active gardener with a strong to me. This is also true of people who have under the houses. Now those septic tanks interest in the environment. What did you been in prison for many years; they often are full and can’t be emptied because they learn about gardening at KI? end up back in prison because they don’t can’t be accessed. That was the decision We were there in July. The lake area was know how to cope. Native people have of some bureaucrat at Indian Affairs. KI very beautiful but the town was terribly grown corn, squash and beans in the past. residents don’t make a lot of decisions for dusty because the soil is sandy and the roads Why are they only growing potatoes? We themselves at all. Aboriginal Affairs and are not paved. There were a lot of bugs so it institutionalized First Nations people for Northern Development Canada (AANDC) was hard to be outside. In fact, parents don’t several generations and then expect them make all the main decisions for First Na- let the littlest children outside during certain to just carry on. tions. They need to follow what is mandated bug seasons. A lot of residents actually like or their funding is cut. Right now they lack winter better; they are not overwhelmed CC readers might be surprised to learn, as the electricity and water infrastructure to with snow there. I was, that KI is a Christian First Nation. build new houses. They have funding to I brought beans and peas from my gar- What did you observe about spirituality build three new houses a year but are at den. They were happy to have them, but the and religion in this community? a standstill until the infrastructure is up- cooks had never shelled peas. They do grow KI has five Christian churches. The graded. Of course they have the same hydro potatoes. They don’t really have a culture stores are closed on Sunday! The Anglican costs as we do. They have generators that of gardening. They have a short growing church does its service in the Cree language. run on diesel fuel that has to be driven in season, but they could garden more. Some We went to an evangelical church twice on the ice roads. leadership is needed in this. It goes back on the Sunday we were there. There was But here’s a more hopeful story. One to this problem – if you institutionalize hardly anyone in church because there was resident decided he would try to get a mort- several generations, whether in a school a revival meeting at a neighbouring First gage to create a bed and breakfast place. or a prison, some incentive to do anything Nation. A native evangelist led our service. Lily at the film screening. This is really hard to do on a First Nation for yourself is lost. I know a woman from He preaches at area First Nations for around because no banks want to give a mortgage Walpole (Aamjiwnaang First Nation) who six months of the year. They asked people reasons [resistance from some elders], but to someone who doesn’t own the land. It is now 80 years old. She said that when her from the audience to share, so I got up and probably the community will find a way to took him a long time but he was persistent husband asked her to marry him, she said spoke about the reconciliation trip and what incorporate them in time.” and finally got a mortgage. Now he runs a yes because she didn’t know how to say no. we have in common. In the Bible it says that really nice lodge. He’s hoping to expand. She had been in a residential school from while we were yet sinners, Christ died for This was a life-changing experience. It’s a successful business. age 4 – 16. That was an astounding story us, Christ came to reconcile himself to us. What would you most like to share with I talked about that idea briefly. Getting up us? there and talking about Christ’s reconcilia- Be willing to listen and hear the stories tion bound us together beyond the fact that without judging or jumping to conclu- I was white and they were First Nation. sions. Don’t be quick to think that there’s a fix. We have 200 years of history here Did you sense any tension in KI regard- that we’re trying to turn in a different way. ing native spirituality? I’d like people to understand that there is We participated in making a drum, con- a lot of hope. There’s probably nobody in structing a sweat lodge and smudging, but a First Nation who hasn’t been touched by these things are considered evil and pagan suicide and yet the people are resilient. The by the elders in this community. KI has a younger ones are making good decisions, homecoming every year but they don’t have moving forward, trying to participate in a pow-wow. First Nations in the south all Canadian culture and not lose what binds have pow-wows. KI churches don’t include them as a people. We need to come to each any native rituals within their worship other with respect. We need to allow them services like they do at St. Clair United, to have leadership rather than insisting our for example. I know from my friends at ideas are always first and our ways of do- Aamjiwnaang that once they went back to ing things are first. We can learn a lot from their native spirituality, many were enabled how native people have survived for 7,000 to get off their drug addiction. It changed years on this continent without wrecking their life around. At our cookout Andree everything. In all of my experiences with warned us not to talk about making a drum First Nations, the people have been totally because that particular host family felt that welcoming, friendly and generous. those traditions don’t belong to Christianity. I felt a deep sadness about that. Thanks to the residential school system, these people were left with the idea that their spirituality Cathy Smith is a member was worth nothing and they should leave it of the Wyoming Christian behind to adopt a different kind of spiritual- Reformed Church and a re- ity. I expressed that to the group: “I’ve been tired Christian schoolteacher. a Christian all my life and it saddens me She is a contributing editor that they had to stop doing the things that with CC. were their spiritual way of expressing their beliefs.” Later I shared my feelings with Thea DeGroot is married the minister of the church we had attended. to Art and with him raised 3 daughters and are now He said, “But there are also people here for blessed with 8 grandchil- whom having Christianity will help them dren. They attend Redeemer get rid of their addictions.” Christian Reformed Church in I talked about pow-wows with one of Sarnia, Ont. and daily attempt the teens who had done the walk to Ottawa. to live out their faith through Remote Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwig (KI) First Nation. She said, “We don’t have them for these their actions and words. PAGE 12 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Features Won’t you be my neighbour?

Rod Santiago with her to do the same. Through these interactions, Gwen soon learned that Joe Perhaps you’ve heard a friend or a family really liked clean clothes! So when she member say, “Some people can never be would meet him she would take his clothes housed. Some just choose to stay on the home, wash them and bring them back streets.” Many people struggle with how clean. The friendship grew. to be a neighbour to the homeless among us, believing we cannot make a difference. A man named Walter “Homeless Joe” was a familiar fellow In January 2013, Gwen was able to who had been pushing his shopping cart convince Joe to hop into her car and go of belongings around Abbotsford, B.C., to Abbotsford Community Services to for 17 years. His face was recognized by receive further help. During the first visit many, but he was not known by anyone. Joe stayed inside Gwen’s vehicle and Homeless Joe regularly consumed alcohol talked with Christina, Director of Seniors’ and exhibited mental health issues. Joe Services, while she stood just on the other never drew much attention or created any side of the car door, speaking through the fuss. He would park himself and all his window. This was a first step to building earthly possessions in front of one estab- trust. With Gwen’s encouragement, Joe lishment after another until he was asked was willing to visit again. This time he (sometimes politely, sometimes not so ventured into the building. And then kindly) to move on. One recent winter was the next time, into Christina’s office to particularly brutal on Joe. Being exposed talk about applying for tax refunds and to the elements resulted in the very real pension. Joe was quiet but he made eye threat of having several toes and fingers contact. Then, something remarkable removed due to frostbite. Even then, Joe happened: “Homeless Joe” remembered vehemently declined various emergency his full name and birth date. care, shelter and housing options. All of His name is Walter.* NYSTROM COMMONS/ANDY CREATIVE us “experts” had identified Homeless Joe Knowing his name opened many doors as someone likely to remain chronically for Walter. After finding his Social Insur- breakfast and lunch, and inevitably stays the ravages of the streets. Walter has been homeless, despite our efforts to help him. ance Number, Christina helped Walter long enough to share supper with the able to begin taking the steps towards a Then, in the Fall of 2012, along came to apply for CPP and Old Age Security. family before being driven home. Gwen’s healthier life within the safety of belong- Gwen.* On the next visit Walter signed the com- family has essentially become Walter’s ing and community. As for Gwen and her Gwen would occasionally give Joe a pleted forms. He was becoming a little family. family, they have experienced the joy of cup of coffee or a five dollar bill when more interactive. ACS volunteers worked The value of this new “family” is having Walter in their lives and of having she would see him around her neighbour- together with Walter to complete 10 years heightened because of the news that came expanded their family circle. hood. After a while she decided that wasn’t of his income tax returns. Walter received to light through this relationship – Walter enough. She began to talk to Joe. Then she 11 months of retroactive OAS and CPP, had tragically lost his wife before he Go and do likewise brought along her three young daughters and 10 months of retroactive tax refunds became homeless. This traumatic event “‘Which of these three do you think was and GST. triggered a mental illness. Alcohol was a neighbour to the man who fell into the This sum of mon- introduced to suppress the pain. The hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law ey allowed Gwen to combination of loss, mental illness and replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ help Walter move into drinking eventually resulted in his suc- Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’” (Lk. shelter housing for cumbing to homelessness. That was his 10:36-37). two months, then into lonely reality for many years, but now Walter fell into the hands of several room and board for Walter has a new family. In spite of this, robbers: loss and trauma; schizophrenia; 10 months. In Febru- he still hears voices and alcohol still helps alcoholism. Gwen had mercy on him. ary 2014 Walter tran- to drown out those voices. He is still on Jesus’ command to us is to go and do like- sitioned into his own his journey to recovery. wise. Will you be a Gwen? Will you be a one-bedroom apart- In the fall of 2016 Walter agreed to an neighbour to a Walter who needs you? ment. Walter success- assessment by a Mental Health practitio- fully continues to live ner. He received a diagnosis of schizophre- *Names have been changed for privacy reasons. independently. His nia. Currently, Walter is not interested in friend Gwen monitors taking medication for his illness. Healing Rod Santiago has worked in and supports Walter to comes in baby steps. Healing comes in the the field of community es- continue to improve his form of Gwen’s ongoing support. sential services – locally and quality of life. If not for Gwen, it’s very likely that internationally – for the past Walter would still be living on the streets. three decades, specializing Finding family He may not have remembered his own in the fields of international and community own name. He might have even died on the community development, immigrants and On most Saturdays streets. Gwen is not a trained mental health refugees and street entrenched youth. Rod Gwen picks Walter clinician or homelessness outreach worker. has a BA in Religious Studies and an Execu- tive MBA and lives in Abbotsford, B.C. where up from his home and She is a concerned citizen and a local mom he currently works as the Executive Direc- takes him to her place who decided that “Homeless Joe” was a tor for Abbotsford Community Services. He where he hangs out with neighbour worth getting to know. And as is married to Karyn, his accomplished and her and her husband and she and her family took the steps to get to beautiful wife since 1989. They have two kids for the day. Walter know Joe, a man named Walter was able amazing daughters, a terrific son-in-law and is usually invited for to emerge from underneath the trauma and one granddaughter. NOVEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 13

Columns

The trouble was, the girls could roll onto Joy & Grace The view from the deck with their wheelchairs, but they Sara Pot couldn’t get off the porch down to the Thompson Ave ground. We didn’t have enough yard for a ramp, so we would need a second porch lift. If people in our neighbour- she realized we were leaving her snowy We began to price out porch lifts, only hood don’t know us because friend behind on our scheduled moving day. to discover they were not affordable. One of our dog, Luna, they know We’ve got a neighbour who rakes our night, The-flower-planter-on-the-porch-lift us as The-house-with-the- leaves each autumn and regularly brings neighbour came to mind. You see, we often disabled-kids. It’s a label us cupcakes and cinnamon buns. We have a walked past a house that had flower planters used – instead of our names – that I can vigilante traffic cop neighbour who is quick sitting on a porch lift. Given how often we only laugh at because I can’t do much to to holler profanity at the cars who speed accessed our own front porch lift, we knew We were humbled and moved as the change it. We have the tallest garage in down our street. Another neighbour often this neighbour wasn’t using their lift. After couple shared with us they intended to gift theSecond neighbourhood that holds Thoughts one of the stops by to charge her electric scooter and some thought, we decided to leave a short us the porch lift. We simply needed to find a tallestKathy vans Vandergrift in the neighbourhood, and we sip a cup of tea. She comes when we least note in their mailbox inquiring of their lift. team of technicians to disassemble it at their have a wheelchair lift attached to our front expect it; hospitality can be inconvenient, Not long after the note was dropped in house and then assemble it at our house. porch. When the girls are outside in their but it is necessary. Then there’s my East the mailbox, I received a phone call. The The bittersweet part in accepting the gift wheelchairs with the feed pumps on the IV African neighbour with four beautiful caller referred to our note and asked if he was knowing the story behind it. I promised poles, we get gawker traffic. If the nurse children, determined to complete her high and his wife could visit to learn more about that I would plant a flower in memory of takes one of the girls for a walk and drops school diploma. I teach her about the schwa our inquiry. They met Rachel and Janneke their daughter in our yard. Now each time a bib, someone is bound to find it and drop sound, and she tells me stories of fleeing and shared about their own family. They I step onto that porch lift, I think of that itSecond in our mailbox. Thoughts Rwanda. I think I’m the one learning. also had a daughter with special needs. We family. We’ve been a part of our neighbourhood chatted together; it was amazing how easily As I walk through my neighbourhood sinceKathy 2003 Vandergrift and have loved it from the start. A story behind it we could connect with this couple in spite with Luna, I wonder what stories live We outgrew the first house and bought a When we renovated our house to of the fact we just met. behind the doors and windows. It’s larger home, two corners over. Moving just accommodate for Rachel and Janneke’s Our time together was sweet but not tempting to leave them with the labels we seven doors away meant four people could needs, local neighbours worked alongside without sorrow, as they shared that their give them . . . walk our swingset down the street to our subcontractors. Part of our renovation daughter had died not long ago. We now new backyard. I carried our snowman from included a deck in the backyard. We wanted understood the flower planters on their lift. Sara Pot lives on Thompson Ave. in St. the old front lawn to the new one, prompted it to be a sheltered, accessible space that We wondered where our meeting would go Catharines, Ont. with her husband, four by my then five-year-old who wept when included a second exit from the home. from this point. daughters and a golden doodle named Luna.

Taste & See sions – some sad, some happy, most stress- life and faith and God’s love, he revealed prayer of thanksgiving – for lessons ful in some way or another, but one time his heart to us through shepherd’s pie – the learned, for community, for unfailing love. Monica deRegt in particular sticks out in my memory. We constant, unchanging care and provision This version is our family’s favourite, and had just experienced a heartbreaking late- of our Good Shepherd. Our experience makes a great meal to bring to friends and term miscarriage, and found ourselves lost wasn’t quite as dramatic as the Israelites neighbours in need! The Good and hurting, unable to figure out our “new and their quail, but the message came normal” that included too many “what ifs?” through loud and clear, and I will never Did you know? Shepherd’s Pie was the Shepherd and “whys?” Our beautiful church family forget it. term originally given to a pie like dish rallied around us with so much support and It was several months before we chose that contained lamb and mashed potatoes. “The love of God is passionate. He love. And meals. So many people signed to eat shepherd’s pie again, but each time When it contains beef, the proper name is pursues each of us, even when we know up to bring us dinner, that our meals were I make it I smile to myself and say a Cottage Pie. it not.” covered for a month! – William Wordsworth Experiencing the Shepherd Favourite Shepherd’s Pie 3. Spread ground beef mixture over the One of my favourite cooking traditions The first meal arrived – one of our bottom of a 9x13 pan. Top with mixed is a phenomenon that seems to cross all favourites – shepherd’s pie! It filled our Ingredients vegetables. cultures – that of preparing and bringing bellies and began to soothe our aching 1 lb lean ground beef 4. Carefully spread cream of mushroom a meal to friends who are sick, grieving souls, and we even had leftovers the 1 pkg brown gravy mix soup over the vegetable mixture. or otherwise out of commission. It seems next night. Then the next meal arrived … 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables 5. Top with mashed potatoes and commonly understood that the gift of a another shepherd’s pie! This version was a 1 can cream of mushroom soup sprinkle with cheese. meal is a most welcome blessing in times little different, with meatballs for the base. 4 cups (or more) mashed potatoes 6. Bake for 45 minutes at 350°. of trial and need. It conveys love and Wonderful. The next meal arrived … you 2 cups cheddar cheese 7. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting care in so many ways – thoughtfulness, guessed it, another shepherd’s pie. Now into squares and serving. time, effort and the desire to provide this was getting comical, but seven pies Directions: nourishment, sustenance and rest. It’s later – after two weeks of the same dinner – 1. Crumble-fry ground beef over med- also a powerful reminder of the benefits we weren’t finding it so amusing anymore. high heat until browned. Drain off fat. of living in community with others. It amazed me how many different varieties Sprinkle gravy mix and ½ cup water Our family has been the beneficiary of arrived – topped with tater tots or sweet over beef. Mix in. Simmer on low for this lovely tradition on numerous occa- potatoes, containing lots of veggies or just for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. corn, and even one that wasn’t beef-based 2. Prepare mashed potatoes according Monica deRegt is the (it was a welcome relief!). to your favourite method (I add sour features editor for Christian The irony of the situation did not escape Courier and the only cream, butter, garlic, chives, pepper member of her family who us. That, while we were struggling with and salt.) loves sweet potatoes. uncertainties and difficult questions about CREATIVE COMMONS/HAMBURGER HELPER COMMONS/HAMBURGER CREATIVE My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Christ @ Culture Province Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til

Toddlers to Teens From the Lab CHRISTIAN COURIER PAGE 14 Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom Columns SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA & Powers Everyday Christian A tale of two David Koyzis Cathy Smith neighbours Technically Speaking Getting Unstuck Seems like everyone’s I cook. When I power it down, or put it talking about neighbours away, I miss it and find myself reaching Derek Schuurman Arlene Van Hove these days: our church for it constantly. Bizarre how this tiny launched a local out- piece of technology has come to dominate reach initiative just as my thinking. I know that I need to impose this themed issue was an- some boundaries on phone use, especially Intangible Things MemoriesFlowers and Thistles of nounced. And here in the land of babies at home, but it is a struggle to say the least. and preschoolers, all I can think is, neigh- Heidi Vander Slikke MissCurt GescDavish bours? I don’t even have time to stay on The unseen work top of laundry let alone “reach out.” Being On the other hand, I have these other two My family moved to a her flowers, raking leaves or shoveling raised in the church means that the first little neighbours who redefine demanding. Country Livingsmall town in the Niagara snow, Wosher dswould from stop and chat with me. thing you think when you hear the word Honestly, it might be easier to nap beside Peninsula when I was SometimesWild sheHorses invited me in. Compared neighbour is mission work. Emphasis on an air strip than try to contribute to society Meindert Vanderfour Galien years old. My parents to ourW place,arkentins her house was enormous. work. I’m sure most moms on the planet with these two around. They insist that I bought a house they could The polished rooms featured high ceilings, can relate to the feeling that adding one cook for, clean, dress, teach and monitor afford – a one and a half dark paneling and hardwood floors. We more responsibility to my to-do list will them 24/7 and think it’s enough to pay me storey insulbrick fixer-upper, situated on sat in massive leather rocking chairs and just put me over the edge. The edge of back in hugs and sloppy kisses. As if the aPatchwork large lot. There Wo rdwass no heat upstairs sippedOur lemonade World or T odayhot chocolate in the what, I’m not sure, but the right over part household work weren’t enough, they are and no indoor plumbing. The kitchen sink winter. A grandfather clock ticked peace- is certain. Maybe sanity. absolutely uncivilized pagans who must actuallyMeliss adrained Kuipers into a pail in the cupboard fully inBert the Hielema corner, its chimes sounding As I reflected on this a little further, be evangelized every day, all day. And the underneath, and we had an outhouse out dependably every half hour. however, it occurred to me that a large evangelism can rarely rely on what I say; back. The town installed sewers two years We read stories together. There was portion of my time is divided up between they seem to have far more interest in how later. no kindergarten in town then. Children two very demanding neighbours (in an un- I behave . . . which is inconvenient, to say But my father had great plans to reno- started Grade One at the age of six. I recall conventional sense of the word). My rela- the least. These two parasitically suck up vate the house, do the plumbing himself sitting at her desk as she showed me how tionship with one is becoming quite toxic, time until there isn’t a moment left for the and transform the unkempt yard into his to make letters and numbers or we drew co-dependent even. This neighbour lives aforementioned laundry, let alone for any private park. A steel worker in the city shapes. She told my parents many times close, too close, and we spend too much kind of outreach. of Hamilton, he willingly commuted the that I was a very bright child and would time together. It seems like we both take Between my children and my cell 40 minutes twice a day so that the family do well in school. Secretly, I wondered if I and take, giving nothing in return. This phone (among other things), morning could enjoy the benefits of living in a quiet could ever measure up to her expectations. neighbour consumes my mental space fades into night in a blur of busyness. and safe neighbourhood. But when I started school I couldn’t and my attention, and I tend to use this And yet, I recognize that some balance is Next door to us stood a stately two- possibly let her down. I remember her soft neighbour for little more than amusement. needed. Although it might just be a glance storey clapboard house. Its lone occupant face beaming as she read my first report And yet we can’t seem to part ways. This here and a skim there, string together the was Miss Violet G. Davis, a retired school card. “I knew it all along,” she said with is a neighbour purely in the geographical minutes I stare emptily at my cell phone in teacher. She had literally been born and pride. No doubt my success owed some- sense: a neighbour in my pocket, on my a day and I could have had coffee with the raised in the pristine white home and thing to the pre-school tutelage I received nightstand, on the kitchen counter while lonely empty-nester next door or dropped inherited it from her parents. from her. off some groceries at the food bank. As When speaking to each other, my par- Ten years later, we moved to a new for my kids, they hardly need more of my ents referred to her as Veilchen, (German house. I didn’t see much of Miss Davis time, but my attitude to that time might for Violet). I never did find out what the anymore. But on the day I married Jack, need some redemption. It is not just de- “G” stood for, but it really didn’t matter she came to the church in her Sunday fin- fined by endless and thankless rounds of because we always respectfully addressed est. For many years afterward we received housework, it is deeply missional in that her as Miss Davis. She, in turn, always an annual Christmas card from her, signed it fulfills the directive to love in secret, spoke very politely to all of us. It didn’t in her impeccable teacherly handwriting hidden ways (Matt. 6:18). God sees this seem to bother her one bit that my parents – Miss Violet G. Davis. I always sent a unseen work and has called me to begin spoke with a strong accent – a German greeting to her as well, and enclosed a my outreach with those right here at my accent at that. donation for the Union Cemetery, where fingertips. Sometimes that can feel like a Miss Davis shared a love of gardening my father was now buried. One year my cop-out in a culture that rewards nearly with my father. The two of them frequently card was returned – address unknown. every effort above what goes on in the chatted over the fence, she in her loose These days, when I occasionally visit home. But that is not God’s economy. fitting dress with a floral apron over top, my parents’ graveside, I walk across the So off I go to prepare another evan- stockings rolled around her ankles and big grass and see her headstone there, right gelical dinner and to fulfill the mission cotton work gloves protecting her gnarly beside that of her parents. I picture her of Jesus by reminding my daughter, yet hands. An intelligent woman, she never wispy gray hair sticking out from under again, to go clean her room. I will try to shied away from expressing her beliefs the signature straw sunbonnet and I thank believe that each action, however minute, or talking about her interests. She also the Lord for memories of a kind woman is a gospel type of giving. And, while I’m listened to my dad’s opinions and never who gave a little girl the precious gifts at it, I might pop next door and invite the spoke a word of gossip about anyone. of time, respect and encouragement. She neighbour over for dessert. She was a faithful member of the United knew how to love her neighbour. Church and a trustee of the local Union Emily Cramer lives in Barrie, Ont. with her Cemetery, where her parents were buried. husband, James, and two daughters. She is Heidi Vanderslikke is a freelance writer who currently on maternity leave from teaching at Precious gifts lives with her husband on a farm in Mapleton Georgian College and is reading Boundaries I often wandered into her yard if I saw Township, Ont. She enjoys the outdoors, ani- with Kids by Cloud & Townsend. her outside. Whether she was tending mals, photography, reading and motorcycles. My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Christ @ Culture Province Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til

Toddlers to Teens From the Lab Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA NOVEMBER& Powers 14, 2016 Everyday Christian PAGE 15 David Koyzis Cathy Smith Columns

Technically Speaking Getting Unstuck Silicon Valley. The book was written by Skip Vaccarello, an executive with dec- Derek Schuurman Arlene Van Hove ades of experience in a variety of high tech Faith and tech combine in Waterloo firms, including a pioneering company that My Window Seat The Public Square developed the first spreadsheet program. Several decades ago I Canada’s “silicon valley.” This group, ensure that the top results for a web search In the book he shares the faith stories of MendeltIntangible Hoekstra Thingsbegan my career as a whichHarryFlowers calls Antonidesitself and “FaithTech,” Thistles eagerly about suicide bring up resources for help over a dozen venture capitalists, entrepre- freshly-minted engineer- listened as I sketched a biblical view of and counseling. The group also hopes neurs and leaders of high tech companies Heidi Vander ingSlikke graduate, eager and technologyCurt Gescand whyh their work matters to to host several “hackathon” events and in Silicon Valley. Skip also helps lead an confident in my technical God. IFr discussedom the 1how1th technology is part innovation talks. I found myself wishing annual Silicon Valley prayer breakfast Christ @ Culturabilities.e I took a job at a of the Prlatentovince potential in creation, how sin there had been a group like this when I where Christian leaders offer testimonies smallLloyd high-tech Rang company in Waterloo. I distortsMarianWo technology,rds Vfranom Til and how Christ, in was a young engineer. They have already of faith and prayer in their lives. recallCountry the satisfaction Living of seeing my first whomWild all things Horses are being reconciled to drawn interest from others in New York After spending well over a decade designsMeindert transformed Vander Galien into real products that God, callsWarkentins us to participate as agents of City and Toronto, as well as Japan. teaching in a Christian college, coming powered various real-world applications. reconciliation. I shared with them a quote back to Kitchener-Waterloo felt like com- However, as I sat at my desk, I distinctly from Gordon Spykman: “Nothing mat- God in Silicon Valley ing home to my roots. I wished I could recallToddlers beginning to toT eenswonder what my faith ters butFr theom kingdom, the Lab but because of the During my visit I toured a sprawling tech have channeled the words I shared with hadPatchworkDenise to do Dykstra with Wo myrd technicals work. This kingdomRudyOur everything W Eikelboomorld Today matters” – and that incubator built in an old tannery building this group back to my younger self – that was something they didn’t teach at engin- includes our work in technology! which served as a home for a range of young engineer sitting alone at his desk, eeringMeliss school.a Kuipers TheBert FaithTech Hielema group in Waterloo high-tech startups. I was impressed by the wondering about the connection between

Almost exactly 25 years later I found formed gradually over the pastSU MO year, creative energy displayed and encouraged faith and technology. It is exciting to see TU WE TH FR myselfPrincipalities in front of a room of almost 60 foundedEveryday by a young Christian man named James SA by the fact that God was at work here too. I God at work in the high-tech centres of computer& Power scientistss and engineers work- Kelly. Prior to my talk, James and I got was delighted to discover a former student our world, changing hearts and moving ingDavid in andKoyzis around the Waterloo region, acquaintedCathy over Smith dinner, where he shared of mine from Redeemer who was now Christians to share the gospel not only his journey and his vision for the group. working in the tech incubator. Waterloo is through words, but also through efforts to Besides equipping folks with a biblical home to one of the most vibrant tech hubs develop responsible technology. perspective of technology, the group aims in the world, with the second highest start- Nothing matters but the kingdom, but Technically Speaking to launchGetting FaithTech Unstuc LABSk for volunteer up density in the world. Just like Daniel because of the kingdom, technology also coders and creative thinkers to collaborate in Babylon, God has placed Christians in matters. Derek Schuurman on not-for-profitArlene Van Hoveand for-profit tech ven- this cultural center. tures. One example is the “Text to Tithe” Indeed, God has been at work in other Derek Schuurman is a former professor project which provides a way for churches high tech centers as well. A recent book at Redeemer University College where he to receive donations from donors through titled Finding God in Silicon Valley high- taught computer science for 13 years. To Intangible Things the sendingFlowers of a and quick Thistles text message. He lights testimonies about how God has learn more about FaithTech, visit www.

ANTHONY GREEN ANTHONY also shared another project idea to help worked in the lives of various people in faithtech.ca Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch

Words from Country Living LeavesWild Horses aren’t Meindert Vander Galien garbageWarkentins

With all the talk of recyc- no. Why do that? The leaves of one large Patchwork Woling,rd I can’ts understand why shade Ourtree canWorld be worth Today as much as $50 of homeowners don’t recycle plant food and humus. Why not compost the Melissa Kuiperstheir tree leaves to make leavesBert and makeHielema ‘black gold’? Most trees wonderful and rich organic are deep-rooted enough to absorb minerals soil. Every autumn (and from deep in the soil, and a good portion of spring) I grin and shake my head when I these minerals go into the leaves.” UNSPLASH/ANNIE SPRATT UNSPLASH/ANNIE see bags of leaves at the curb to be picked Their response also surprised me. No and up and sent to a landfill site. Leaves place to compost even though they have a foot high cement walls were the ideal place become a soggy, matted mess. If you don’t should never go to the dump. big wooded lot. They buy bagged material, for composting leaves, grass clippings and own a shredder, a lawn mower will do a This summer, a friend and I were which in my opinion is a waste of money. garden waste. Turning this compost over great job of shredding your leaves into a walking down our cottage road and stopped Paying someone to take their leaves to a with a fork was quite a task and one I didn’t fine chopped mix. In a half hour or so, you to chat with new neighbours who were landfill site was their best solution. particularly enjoy. can reduce 25 garbage bags of leaves into a outside watering some plants. Two sisters If you don’t have compost bins or a couple wheelbarrow loads of shredded bits. had bought the cottage a few years ago and Backyard habits cement pad – make one in a corner of Organics such as grass, leaves and had been busy sprucing it up. Knowing that At an early age, I learned the value of leaves. your property. It’s important to keep plant waste make up approximately 30 to I am a farmer, they had a few questions In the 60s my father took care of a few spa- your pile together to allow it to heat up 40 percent of residential waste going into about soil. One of the sisters said it was cious grounds in town that had many large and decompose. You can also make your landfill sites, and food waste makes up difficult making a little vegetable garden trees and pretty flower beds. He would compost right where you are going to need another 20 percent of household garbage because of large trees on the property and make the beds look neat; my job was cut- it – in your garden! And while that pile is in Canada. Composting can significantly poor soil quality. ting the lawns. At one of the grounds were “nicely cooking,” you can add some normal reduce this! “What do you do with all the leaves that two stately homes owned by an elderly compost pile trimmings: coffee grounds, fall off these trees?” I asked. man who had spent most of his life in India. fruit peels, scraps and grass clippings (no “We rake and rake, bag them all and pay a He was very particular. At the back of his dog poop or meat!). guy with a truck to take them to the dump,” treed grounds sat the remains of a small Whole leaves won’t compost quickly if Meindert van der Galien brings all the they replied. beekeeping shed that had burned down left alone on the ground – and especially maple leaves from around his cottage home I think my answer shocked them. “Oh, years ago. Its small cement floor and two- in piles where they can bind together and to his compost pile. PAGE 16 christian courier

News The path to independence for new immigrants

Anne van Arragon Hutten Christianity in the process? I suspect that each committee member would find that a Part III in a series happy ending, but it is not the goal of this Sponsorship takes considerable time, sponsorship. We are currently in a power money and miles on my car, not to mention position over this family, supplying their the sheer emotional toll. When I wake up needs on an almost daily basis. Much as one morning from a desolate dream about we try to relate as equals, and much as I 11-year-old Mohammed having been try to persuade Hawa that in Canada we lost, I know that these eight people have women walk side by side, instead of her become dear to me. I’m constantly filled trailing me by four steps, we aren’t there with concerns about each practical aspect yet. No fair discussion of faith can occur of sponsorship. As with my own kids, and while this inequality exists. later the grandkids, I have to remind my- Canada is and has always been a di- self that we humans can’t do it alone. verse country. We had better get used to How do we get these strangers to trust the increasing diversity, and take advan- us, and demonstrate that they can trust the tage of any alliances we might form with school, the police, the bank? We’ve had other faith groups. I hope that the positive to repeat that only Abdulkadir and Hawa work of sponsorship groups will help form know the passwords for their debit cards, a bond between us. and that no one else can withdraw money For now I stand in a Somali family kitch- from their accounts. Discreetly we monitor en, showing three little girls how to stand at their spending to ensure that the account attention when singing the national anthem. stays in the black, none of us particularly It’s great to hear them join me in the words. tempted by the thought of robbing refu- Sheikhany (second from right) boards the bus with her schoolmates. gees. How can we help them feel safe? It Without being naive, I do not subscribe vive and integrate. Our hope is that the six felt good when Hawa first allowed me to to the fear that every Muslim wants to children will be able to catch up on the ex- take Sheikhany to pre-school by myself. overthrow us, as I have been told by hate- treme shortfall in their education, so that Locking themselves out of the house mongers via internet. The church I at- they end up as productive citizens. Anne van Arragon Hutten one day was probably a good experience tend brought in a Muslim man one night Do we hope to convert them to lives in the Annapolis Valley, N.S. – to discover that they couldn’t get back last winter to tell us about their religion. in. Abdulkadir and I spent time looking for He especially described their ritual pray- an open window before I called the land- ers, which must be done five times daily, lord. Hawa, who had asked earlier why with a series of postures that are integral Voted No. 1 Diamond Winner • Christian Community there was no high fence around the house to the whole exercise. I was particularly to keep out burglars, found out that locked impressed by how this man stressed the steel doors are really quite safe against importance of continual prayer to the God casual burglary. who made us. He never skips the required We have a local bus line, but until prayers, adding other prayers of thanksgiv- Just knowing that we have a complete their language skills improve we continue ing throughout the day. Pray continually, campus of housing and services at our to provide personal transportation. Our says the Book of Thessalonians, and this “ photos hang in their kitchen, with names man embodied that particular command. doorstep, is our peace of mind! and phone numbers. An introduction to With all the battles being fought around J.N.D. Resident the police and fire departments is being the world, and, shamefully, too often with- planned. They need to know that there is in Christian churches, surely we should law, order and help available in Canada. recognize what we have in common with And may anyone who disillusions them Muslims and Jews, and maybe join forces have a millstone hung around his neck! I to fight for something worthwhile, such as feel surprisingly protective of these vul- freedom of religion, or the right of old and nerable newcomers. The knowledge that disabled persons to live out their lives? scams are already ongoing to rob the mas- Jesus told us to love even our enemies. sive new immigrant flow infuriates me be- The extremists of ISIS are our enemies, yond words. sure, but we’re not dealing with them when we speak of rescuing homeless ex- Universal mercy iles. We’re sponsoring victims of war. For Why would a group of Christians sponsor me, the commands to shelter the home- a Muslim family? It’s a fair question, espe- less, feed the hungry, do justice and love cially at a time when Christians have be- mercy and to show hospitality are rea- come a persecuted minority in many parts son enough to help one homeless family of the world. Maybe this is a cop-out, but among millions. I joined the committee after that decision had already been made. Nevertheless, I Oh Canada! have no objection to being in regular con- As a committee we set long and short-term tact with one of the other Abrahamic faiths. goals with built-in flexibility. We hope that I often speak with Syrians too, since they the family will become part of Canada. form the nucleus around which Muslim Maybe the parents will never feel entirely Call Today and Discover Life is Better at Evergreen Terrace! prayers are held at Wolfville, there not yet at home here, although they are still young. being a mosque in the Annapolis Valley. We will do what we can to help them sur- 275 Main Street E • Grimsby • 905-309-7888 • evergreenterrace.ca November 14, 2016 page 17

Classifieds

Anniversary Job Opportunities

1956 November 15 2016 The Christian Reformed Church in North Pastor America (CRCNA) is seeking a Wedding text: Revelation 3:20a Bethlehem CRC:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. We are situated in beautiful Thunder Bay, Director for the New Mission Agency Canada in the heart of Northwestern Ontario being created by the joining of Christian at the head of Lake Superior. Reformed World Missions and Christian Reformed Home Missions. The New Mission Agency seeks to God has presented us with unique opportuni- Agassiz Christian School is currently seek- fulfill a vital role in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus ties and we’re looking for a full-time pastor to ing a Christian faith driven, dedicated candidate Christ throughout the world. take on the unique challenges at Bethlehem for a permanent full-time CRC as we strive to grow in grace and in The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills numbers. Principal position and experience in casting vision, thinking strategically, working as a missional leader, and working intercultur- As a small, tight-knit congregation passionate here in beautiful Agassiz, B.C. starting the 2017/18 ally. A complete job description and additional informa- for worship, we are seeking a pastor gifted school year. tion can be found at crcna.org/nmadirector. in worship, preaching and forming genuine We are a small independentCalvin Christian school School with approxi - connections with the congregation and com- mately 80 students from preschool to grade 7. We To apply, send cover letter and resumé to nmase- munity. are looking for a multi-talented applicant to guide, [email protected] by December 16, 2016. The process will remain open until a nominee to fill the position is Our church is located near a low income area coordinate and implement the education program identified. that we feel called to minister to and support; of the school in close co-operation and consultation we would love to have a pastor to help guide with the board and staff. With thanks to the Lord, us in this calling. The Christian Reformed Church in North We expect the applicant to focus on the implemen- America (CRCNA) Herman and Jane Oegema For more information or a church profile, tation and the continual improvement of instruction has a full-time opening for along with their children, please contact the Search Committee at in harmony with the vision, mission, values, goals grandchildren and great-grandchildren, [email protected]. and strategic plan of Agassiz Christian School. Director of Chaplaincy and Care hope to celebrate their Vision – Agassiz Christian School will provide a based in either the Grand Rapids, Mich., or the Bur- 60th wedding anniversary D.V. Christ-centered, child-focused education, seek- lington, Ont., office. This person will be responsible An Open House will be held ing to grow enrolment while maintaining a school for developing and promoting the strategic ministry of on Saturday, November 19, 1–3 p.m. size that maintains community and class size and Christian Reformed chaplains; including enlisting, en- at Fellowship CRC, 641 Elm Street composition that allows the needs of every student dorsing, encouraging, and enfolding chaplains of the St. Thomas, ON to be met. CRCNA and for providing pastoral support, care, and Community CRC, advocacy for chaplains serving in specialized settings. Home address: 16 Massey Drive Dixon’s Corners will be a community that is Agassiz Christian will maintain a Christian family fo- St Thomas ON N5R 5M6 passionate about loving God and all people. cus while embracing those who are willing to uphold Qualified candidates will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a chaplain and at least one quarter of We are a rural church just south of the Na- Christian values. Agassiz Christian will preserve its Clinical Pastoral Education (or equivalent). Seminary tion’s Capital, Ottawa, Ontario looking for a core identity as a Christian school, even as it seeks to grow enrolment and expand programs. graduate, ordination, and administrative experience Maranatha full-time PASTOR preferred. Agassiz Christian School will provide an educa- who is passionate about worship, spiritual tional program that integrates technology, hands-on The complete job description can be found at crcna. Homes growth, community care and prayer. learning, outdoor learning, and community service. org/jobs. To apply, send cover letter and resumé to Elementary and secondary Christian educa- Creative programming will meet the needs of Michelle De Bie, Director of Human Resources, at Living independently in Christian community tion available in our area. families seeking unique learning experiences and [email protected] by Dec. 16, 2016. The process , located in will remain open until a nominee to fill the position is Maranatha Homes Please contact our Search Team at community engagement. south Burlington near many amenities, identified. [email protected] Eligible candidates must hold valid teaching cre- is a place where Christian seniors can to request our Church Profile and to forward dentials, and an interim certificate. Preference will enjoy independent living in community your Ministerial Profile. be given to an experienced administrator who has The Christian Reformed Church in North with others. a master’s degree and professional certification. America (CRCNA) has a full-time opening for • Reasonable rent rates at $821/ mo. Successful candidates must be a member of a Director of Race Relations • Newly renovated units church, and are encouraged to attend locally. Ap- and Social Justice • Award winning architectural design plicants must show a dedication to the local and based in either the Grand Rapids, Mich., or Burling- • Well maintained building and grounds first nation’s communities. • No condo fees or utility bills ton, Ont., office. This person will be responsible for Mission Statement – ACS seeks to honour God as developing and promoting the strategic ministry of the All this and more make Maranatha Creator, Redeemer and Enabler; we strive to pro- Race Relations and Social Justice programs ofthe Homes an attractive and affordable vide a quality education that is based on the Word CRCNA. accommodation for seniors. of God. Our aim is to help each student discover Experience working in an areas of multicultural in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is looking for a For further information contact: and develop his/her God-given gifts so that they education, racial reconciliation, social justice and may honour God by serving Him, loving each other, Rosanne van der Woerd Principal and Chief Operating Officer advocacy and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a and being stewards of His creation leadership and/or managerial role is also required. 109-3260 New St., with a compelling vision for Christian educa- If you feel in your heart that the Lord is calling you Burlington ON L7N 3L4 tion who embodies Christian character and The complete job description can be found at crcna. to lead our amazing and community blessed school is an exceptional leader and administrator. org/jobs. 905-681-0311 please apply to Mike Nelson at mgn1886@gmail. The successful candidate will be a visionary, Email: [email protected] com by Dec. 31, 2016. To apply, send cover letter and resumé to Michelle De passionate leader for our thriving elementa- Bie, Director of Human Resources, at mdebie@crcna. ry school, with strong administrative and re- Please include the following: org by Dec. 16, 2016. The process will remain open lational skills, who can support and develop • Cover Letter until a nominee to fill the position is identified. a team of faculty and support staff. • Resume Interested applicants can apply to Aaron • Statement of faith Schat, CCS Principal Search Team Chair, at • Statement of vision for Christian education CRC Extension Fund [email protected] • Applicable References Your funds will be invested in Christian Vacations Please include the following: Reformed Church and Christian school - Resume - Cover letter Willoughby Church in Langley, B.C. building projects in Canada. Holiday accomodation - Statement of faith is seeking a Rates to December 31, 2016 in Holland - Statement of vision for Christian education with vehicle rentals and tours. Custodian. We pay 2.4% on CRC deposits. For more details, view the complete Princi- chestnutlane.nl Earn approx. 3% on RRSP/RRIF/TFSA pal Profile at ccshamilton.ca/principalsearch This contract position entails daily and weekly cleaning as well as lock up duties and prepar- Write: CRC Extension Fund Fort Myers Home Interview process tentatively planned to ing for Sunday morning worship and mid-week with pool commence the end of November, 2016. activities. 45 Harriet St, Toronto ON M4L 2G1 for rent by the week or month, : [email protected] The duties require approximately 25-30 hours per Email Recently advertised job ads can be Oct – May. Ph: 905-630-6711 Note: week of work. Some heavy lifting is required. Call: 416-461-1207 Fax: 416-465-6367 found on our website: christiancourier.ca To submit ads, email: Please contact [email protected] “...serving Christian Reformed churches [email protected] for more information. and Christian schools since 1970" PAGE 18 christian courier

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Features/Advertising Thousands of hand-knitted hats sent to Operation Christmas Child

Rachel Baarda When she was nine years old and living in Romania, she opened a shoebox to find a ow often do you see hundreds of bright knitted toque along with other gifts. Hhand-knitted toques, in almost every Now living in Canada, Vezentan recently imaginable pattern and colour, in one showed her gratitude for Samaritan’s room? Last month Operation Mercy held Purse by travelling to Senegal to deliver its annual Hat Gathering Tea Social at shoeboxes. Holland Christian Homes, Brampton, to celebrate knitting nearly 6,000 hats for amaritan’s Purse sends Operation Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas SMercy’s hats to Haiti, Sierra Leone Child project. and Nicaragua, among other countries. Around 60 people gathered in Holland Though these countries may sound like Christian Homes’ Harmony Hall with unlikely destinations for toques, Ruth dozens of knit hats proudly displayed on Bruinsma, director of Operation Mercy, the tables and hanging from the ceiling. explained that even warm countries grow Knitters were celebrating the completion so cold at night that children welcome the Knitters reached their goal this year of 5,000 hats! of the toques, before volunteers packed hand-knitted hats. the hats in bags to be sent to Samaritan’s thinking about the children: “My husband hat was the 5,675 hats will be shipped off through Purse. said, you’re quiet and sniffling, what’s the Tbeginning of Samaritan’s Purse this year to be eagerly Jane Douma, a resident of Holland matter?” Operation Mercy, discovered by thousands of children at Christian Homes, founded Operation “I was thinking [that] if you’re young, a group of seniors knitting hats for chil- Christmastime. “We reached 5,000 hats Mercy over 10 years ago. In 2002, she was you can sit on your feet and keep them dren. Instead of sending hats to Ukraine, last year and this year. We need a new visiting her brother and sister-in-law when warm . . . but you can’t put your head Operation Mercy now sends its hats to goal!” said Jane Douma enthusiastically. they watched a video of an orphanage in anywhere.” Samaritan’s Purse Canada. Each fall, the Ukraine. Douma was struck by the dire Even though knitting was not her forte, Samaritan’s Purse packs thousands of hats conditions inside the orphanage. The chil- Douma made up her mind to knit 25 hats from Holland Christian Homes into shoe dren lay on boards with no blankets, and for children in Ukraine. She shared her boxes along with other gifts as part of its the temperature was 13 degrees Celsius in- idea with some friends, and they decided Operation Christmas Child project. Rachel Baarda is a freelance side the orphanage. “They lost 30 percent to “add to a zero” to 25 by knitting 250 One Samaritan’s Purse volunteer, writer and Christian Cou- of the children each winter,” said Douma. hats. By the end of the year, the group had Damaris Vezentan, has special mem- rier’s Social Media Editor. On the way home, she couldn’t stop knitted 370 hats. ories of Operation Mercy’s knitted hats.

Worship Symposium

This three-day conference brings together pastors, worship leaders and planners, artists, musicians, scholars, students and other interested worshipers from around the world.

Over 50 themes, including preaching, visual arts, culture care, pastoral care, prophetic lament, Psalms, faith formation, the Lord’s Supper, outreach, January 26–28, 2017 congregational song, leadership, and many more. worship.calvin.edu

CALVIN INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP Plenary speakers: N.T. (Tom) Wright and AND THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN PREACHING Sandra Maria Van Opstal GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA PAGE 20 christian courier

News Fort McMurray teachers thankful for prayers after trial by fire Janet Vlieg-Paquette Erica being eight months preg- settlement at Ronald’s mom’s cial day in the life of this young nant, their baby was safely tucked home in Edmonton. On June 1, family, as Reuben was baptized in When Christian young people away, allowing the couple to join Erica gave birth to a healthy baby Evergreen CRC by Rev. George leave home for new jobs or ad- the exodus from school in their boy, Reuben, at the Lois Hole Holthof, the congregation’s re- ventures after graduation, they Ford Fusion, which fortuitously Hospital for Women, part of the tired pastor. Reuben was one of go with the prayers of family and had a full tank of gas. They were Royal Alexandra Hospital where three evacuee babies baptized supporters in their hearts, lifting confident their house would be Erica’s aunt is a nurse. that Sunday. their spirits to meet the challen- OK, since the fire by all accounts The cloud of losing their Ronald says the congregation ges of the future. didn’t appear to be threatening home definitely came with a sil- was able to resume holding ser- Those prayers for strength, the Stone Creek neighbourhood. ver lining for the couple, Ronald vices on June 26, less than two wisdom and protection were an- The experiences of that day points out. Instead of being in months after the fire, thanks in no swered on May 3, 2016 for Erica and the days and weeks follow- Fort McMurray with a new baby, small part to help from their alma and Ronald Vanden Pol, teach- ing were “life-changing,” says they were in Edmonton, near their mater, The King’s University. ers at Fort McMurray Christian Erica, 28. “It was fairly surreal; home towns of Lacombe and Red Pastors on the faculty readily an- School. The young couple was we just took it one day at a time,” Deer in central Alberta. “The op- from her Grade 3 teaching job, swered Ronald’s call for preach- part of a mass evacuation of the she recalls. portunity to be with family this while Ronald is back teaching ers to get services going again. 80,000 residents of this northern Ronald, 30, looks back and summer was just excellent. They Grade 6. They have a builder The Christian school and its Alberta city that was in danger sees so many positives, how got to hang out with us and with lined up to rebuild their home families were welcoming a re- of being consumed by a rapidly well-organized the emergency Reuben and really get to know but backlogs with insurance may turn to routine as the first months advancing forest fire. They - ar response was, at the school and him.” mean construction delays into of school unfolded. And that’s rived safely in Edmonton in the in Fort McMurray; how the evac- In August, Ronald and Erica 2017 or even 2018. a good thing, says Ronald, who wee hours of the morning after uees were quickly met with help and little Reuben moved back to “There are things in the house says staff remain alert to signs an exhausting eight-hour drive, from the city of Edmonton, the Fort McMurray, into an apartment that can’t be replaced, things that of adjustment issues among a trip that usually takes less than provincial government and in- in the same building the young meant a lot to me are gone, but students. five hours. surance companies; how family couple lived in before buying we are all fine,” says Erica. “Our faith, our family support, They were among the last and friends surrounded them their first house in 2012. Noting “We’ve made it through this all made such a difference to us,” to leave the school in the late with support, especially after the struggles of others who have and we now know we can make it says Erica in reflecting on the up- afternoon, volunteering to stay they learned their house had been lost their homes, trying to make through anything,” says Ronald, heaval of recent months, “And until the last students had been totally destroyed in the fire. do in temporary housing with laughing. Reuben was a wonderful distrac- safely restored to their parents. four or five kids, Ronald calls the August 28 was a very spe- tion, of course.” Unlike most of the teachers at the Silver linings destruction of their house “very 200-student school, the Vanden The life-changing events of those inconvenient, but something we Janet Vlieg-Paquette is a freelance writer, recently retired from the Edmonton Journal where she wore many hats in 40 Pols didn’t have to leave early to first few weeks didn’t stop with can live with.” years in the newsroom, including reporter, editor and writing connect with other family. With the fire and the temporary re- Erica is on maternity leave coach. She is a member of Inglewood CRC in Edmonton. Think you can change the world through media? We do.

CHANGE can be big, like producing a television show big. Or it can be small, like writing a blog post small. It’s about what you choose to do on the one hand, and who you are on the other. We are more than our jobs, and God has a calling for each of us, wherever we go. That changes everything. Including you.

A degree you can believe in. redeemer.ca