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Preparing and caring in disaster-filled times Angela Reitsma Bick an opportunity for the local church earthquakes of similar magnitude to do what it does best: care for the and in similar geographic regions in We know what disaster looks like. vulnerable, get involved and seek terms of population density, yet the We’ve seen it in the faces of those out those in need. death toll in Haiti was significantly fleeing Fort McMurray, in the tan- I spoke with Dr. Aten, Wheaton higher – many homes were not built gled rebar rubble of Aleppo and College Psychology Professor and correctly, people had been paid for broken glass in a Berlin market – Co-Director of the Humanitarian work that wasn’t done. Disasters to mention just a few of the mass Disaster Institute, on the upside magnify the struggles people are and humanitarian disasters in the of extreme events, how the media going through on a daily basis. past year. influences our donations and why The uncomfortable pew: We recognize the aftermath, your church should have a disaster Disasters vary so widely, and seem Flourishing congregations in a secular age but know very little about how to ministry. to be increasing in frequency. Can prepare for any of these crises. Yet an individual church really pre- Peter Schuurman nization in Canada is conducting research shows that readiness can re- CC: You say that disasters reveal pare for so many variables? research particularly for the true duce or even prevent disaster. That’s the underlying fabric of the com- If you tried to respond to every- “Thank goodness this is a Canadian north’s congregational life. the first reason this discussion should munity. What do you mean? thing at once, it would actually hurt study,” Canadian congregational Flourishing Congregations In- matter to churches – because it offers Dr. Aten: Oftentimes when we think your efforts to get ready. You’d be- leaders kept saying. “We are differ- stitute (FCI) formally launched the chance to minimize suffering. about disasters, we think about the come overwhelmed. I encourage ent from the United States. We feel its think tank life on November Furthermore, many people turn damage left behind in the wake of congregations instead to consider like a faith community in exile.” 26th, 2016 on its home campus of to faith groups in an emergency. the event. But the event also pulls “What is your unique calling?” and We’ve heard from the Crystal Ambrose University in Calgary, This means, according to Jamie back the curtain on the injustices al- to really understand theologically Cathedral and Saddleback. We’ve Alberta. It had spent months gath- D. Aten and David Boan in the ready present in most communities. what your role would be in the face done Natural Church Develop- ering the perceptions of Christian Disaster Ministry Handbook, that Consider the earthquake in Haiti of a disaster. And then start small. ment and “Healthy Church” sur- leaders across Canada and used disasters and their aftermath can be [in 2010]. There’ve been other Continued on page 2 veys. Now, finally, a new orga- Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 christian courier News

Preparing and caring continued Where to start? What do you already do well? If your con- World Renew Disaster Response Ser- gregation has a strong children’s ministry, vices has designed a webpage to help or a strong ministry in caring for the elderly, churches with preparedness. It walks start there. Don’t try to respond to everything. you through the following five steps: Think more broadly about how would we care Know your risk for the needs of children? i.e., to help them and General questions to ask their families in the event of a disaster. That Reduce your risk and prepare will help you build capacity for responding. Medical emergencies Dr. Aten If you’re able to get ready for even just Helping your community Aten and Boan’s book is a practical guide and one risk factor, that will give you the ability After the Nepal earthquake, I wrote an article introduction to the idea of disaster ministry. worldrenew.net/prepare-disasters to pivot in response to a number of types that highlighted giving patterns around major of events. disasters in the last decade. When press and place to stay – which may mean you’re taking You visit devastated communities and coun- media attention for a disaster increase, our food and shelter from someone who needs it. tries. What brings you hope? I’m a member of the Christian Reformed giving follows almost identically. Respond first with prayer, giving dona- I’d like to respond to that on two different denomination, which – for its small size – Also, you may recall the global response tions and supporting relief organizations levels. I tend to be an optimistic person, so I has a pretty large relief and development on social media to the Paris attacks [of No- like World Renew by listening to what do look for the best in situations. I’m a Stage organization that responds to crises around vember 2015]. Compare that to some of the they say they need. World Renew issues 4 cancer survivor, two years in remission. the world. Does my local church still need reactions people had to a terrorist attack in an volunteer opportunities, ways you can get What I’ve seen in my work professionally to do disaster preparedness? impoverished country in Africa. You didn’t involved. That’s the best way to do it. There as a Disaster Psychologist as well as from I think very highly of World Renew; they see everybody suddenly changing their Face- will be times you can go, but it needs to be what I’ve learned in going through my own are such a blessing to so many communities book accounts when an attack happened in through the proper channels. personal disaster – there’s a difference be- that have been affected by disasters. Even Africa, but many people did after the Paris tween optimism and hope. As Christians, we though the Christian Reformed Church has attacks. When I can identify with the victims, “Our life is one long process of mutual aid,” have an eternal hope. Even though we live in such a wonderful relief arm, I would still it’s easier to empathize with them. author David Dark says, “and what a relief world that is broken, where there’s pain and encourage local congregations to make the ef- Therefore it’s important that local it is when people act on this knowledge.” suffering, I know that God will be there with fort to get prepared for disasters. For example, churches help bring attention to these events. Does that resonate with you? us through that pain. We may not always get think about the role of FEMA in the United I’m grateful that my home church readily One of the things that I often share with answers to our “Why?” questions, but God States – our Federal Emergency Management prays for major events, from the refugee people is that it takes a community to re- will give us himself – he will be with us Agency. Historically, the idea had been that crisis to current disasters. cover. I’ve seen this in terms of large-scale, through that pain and suffering. That’s where should a large disaster hit, FEMA would come mass disasters, but on a more personal level my hope comes from. in and help rebuild and take care of disaster Not all aid helps. How can we avoid useless when I was going through my own cancer The other part is that I remember inter- needs. But even FEMA has started to shift the or harmful attempts? disaster, I remember early on my college viewing survivors after Hurricane Katrina. way that they are thinking. They’ve adopted There are definitely right ways and wrong president asking how I was doing. I shared I’ll never forget this one person who shared the whole community approach, which sug- ways to help. When an event first happens, with him that I was struggling with accept- with me that “I saw God in the people in my gests that yes, the relief organization and resist that urge to self-deploy. I’ve had friends ing help – I’m the type of person that likes community. I saw God in the people driv- others have an incredible and important role who literally packed up the pickup and drove to help people, but it’s hard for me to accept ing the vans down with supplies. I saw God to play, but as disasters are becoming more hundreds of miles to help. Even though their help. And he said, “Jamie, we’re all the type working in the soup kitchen.” complex and larger and more damaging, it’s heart is in the right place, they’re more likely of people that need help.” In times of disaster, God is working going to take all of us working together. We to cause harm doing that. Don’t be an SUV – a I think if we can own that we all are hurting, through his people. It’s almost overwhelm- can’t just rely on external help. Spontaneous, Unaffiliated Volunteer. If you’re whether a mass disaster or personal disaster, ing at times, to see God’s grace extended to In fact I often recommend that churches not connected to a proper organization, you’re then that pain can actually unite rather than those who need it most. go to World Renew’s website (worldre- going to need your own resources – food, a divide us, and we’ll be much stronger together. We think about disasters revealing the new.net) and check out some of the great worst, be it nature or even human nature. But resources that they have, including how to on the ground, I’ve been very fortunate to see get your church prepared. There’s a lot your the best of people come to the surface. church can do before the disaster to help Angela Reitsma Bick lives make calm out of the chaos. 10km from a nuclear power station. Every year she signs What motivates donations to distant disasters? a form agreeing that, in the How much media attention is given to it. event of a meltdown during Also, how much we can relate to or see our- school hours, teachers may selves in the people affected by the disaster. give her children iodine pills.

Uncomfortable pew continued with the positive focus of the Institute’s vision. would be no flourishing congregations in reflection and response from the 100 church this launch to present its preliminary findings. “We want to begin with appreciative inquiry,” Canada by this point in time.” Later in the day, leaders gathered for the day – leaders repre- Clearly, the Canadian religious landscape said Joel Thiessen, principal investigator of he added, “The antagonistic secular context is senting most of the major denominations, shapes vision for ministry in our neighbour- the research centre. “We want to study what is real, but there is a large group of Canadians excepting Roman Catholic. The institute’s hoods. FCI research shows that church leaders going well and right in churches all across the open to conversations about faith.” list of funding partners includes World Vi- see declining levels of religiosity, notice that theological spectrum and all across the regions The other guest, popular religion statisti- sion, Willow Creek Canada, Cardus, Turning religion is perceived as bad for society, and of Canada. We want to be a hub of research cian Reginald Bibby (University of Leth- Point Consulting, the Christian Missionary witness how Christianity has been separated activity on congregations in Canada.” bridge), concurred: “It’s a myth that religion Alliance Church, Ambrose University and from politics and faith relegated to a private So they began their work with a definition is dying in Canada. There remains a solid core the University of Saskatchewan. affair. There is a profound skepticism towards of “flourishing” (see sidebar on page 3). Sam – about one third of the country – who deeply Ten major themes were shared that re- faith due to the failures of the Christianity in Reimer, one of Canada’s leading sociologists value faith. Another one third reject it, and the late to congregational flourishing as it is Canada and the U.S., making it difficult to of religion from Crandall University, was a final third make up the ‘ambivalent middle.’” perceived by church leaders across Can- self-identify as a Christian in public. In other guest speaker. “It’s past time for something ada: clear self-identity, vibrant spiritual words, as one presenter concluded, “We need like this. The only question is: why did it ‘Bend toward the light’ life, discipleship, evangelism, leadership, to strive to repair ‘brand image.’” take so long? Well, people were captivated After the research team and Reimer and imagination, hospitality and neighbour- This challenging context was juxtaposed by secularization theory; they assumed there Bibby shared their findings, the FCI invited Continued on page 3 january 9, 2017 page 3 Letters Long road to recovery for Fort McMurray residents Your article on the Vanden Pols in Fort McMurray The Christian Reformed Church’s World Renew was warm and inspiring (“Fort McMurray teachers Disaster Response Services was in Fort McMurray in thankful for prayers after trial by fire,” Nov. 14, early November at the invitation of NSUUR (NGO’s 2016). However, not everyone in Fort McMurray is Supporting Underinsured Uninsured Reconstruction), as blessed and upbeat as the Vanden Pols (whom we the local long-term recovery group. Our team was have met. A wonderful Christian couple indeed). In tasked to find the uninsured and the underinsured November, we led a Needs Assessment team in Fort living in Fort McMurray. And find them we did. McMurray and would like to share another perspec- Our team interviewed them both in their homes, as a tive on the recovery situation in the city. result of door to door canvassing, and at our Walk-in Fort McMurray is a working town. Pick-up Centre in town. One thing that touched our hearts was trucks, dump trucks, oil trucks and semis roar up the number of people in tears as they told us of their and down Highway 63, the main north/south route. situation. Not all, of course, but a number of people It used to be a pretty town, too. Now, everywhere were stressed and frustrated. Who can blame them? you look in Fort McMurray there is evidence of the They were used to living in nice three to four bedroom wildfires that destroyed whole neighbourhoods and homes and are now making mortgage payments on a acres and acres of what once were beautiful forests. house that doesn’t exist anymore while paying rent for The city lies in the Athabasca River Valley, so it is their temporary housing. World Renew/DRS offered surrounded by tree-covered hills. These trees are them hope and a brighter future. It’s up to NSUUR now only charred remnants of their former beauty. to follow up with actual repairs and rebuilds. Wherever you look, you can see them. The entire Total repairs and rebuilds, just for the residents landscape has been changed. we interviewed, will be more than $18,500,000. “We’re used to seeing the beautiful fall colours. NSUUR’s case managers will follow-up with Now there’s only blackened forest. It really makes those whom we interviewed and will try to reach me sad,” one resident said. Yet the fires have brought others as time and money becomes available. It’s people together. “We don’t shake hands anymore; we a long-term commitment for NSUUR and for the do the Fort McMurray hug,” another resident said. entire city of Fort McMurray. Rebuilding will take Many residents are on their way to recovery, at least two to three years. however slow that process may be, but others have Please pray for a blessing on Fort McMurray’s not even begun. Insurance issues, wait times for recovery process. It will likely be years before the building permits, living in cramped quarters while city has settled into a new normal. waiting for better housing and emerging PTSD are Bruce and Christine de Boer just some of the issues facing a number of Fort Team leaders Needs Assessment McMurray residents. World Renew, Disaster Response Services

Uncomfortable pew continued from 2 cline. Reginald Bibby, however, is convinced that the 25 percent of What is a ‘flourishing’ hood involvement. Two particular themes stood out: first, that Canadians who now identify as religious nones (the fasted grow- congregation? there is a debate about quantitative growth – some claiming ing demographic on the religious landscape) is going to come to transformed communities and lives were more important than a halt at its current level. He doesn’t think they are likely to come Active spiritual life: prayer, Scripture reading, numerical growth, and others claiming that flourishing assumes to church, but, as Sam Reimer added, having a strong evangelistic small groups, volunteering, etc. multiplication of people and resources; secondly, “diversity” ethos in your congregation gives a clear sense of mission and opens Belonging: a vibrant sense of community and was valued – not just in terms of sociological identities, but in more possibility for flourishing, even if converts are few. “One participation terms of theological openness to questions and doubts. convert can energize a whole church,” he explained. Inspiring mission: worship services and mis- Two other themes emerged during the day. One social reality The hosts also invited critical reflection on the dialogues of the sion are inspiring recurrent in many conversations was the presence and promise of day. There was general agreement that the sociology was strong Quantitative growth: church attendance, mem- immigrants to the church. Not as a demographic to be exploited but the theology needed more fleshing out. Some wanted more bership, finances, etc. but as a reality to be paid attention to and engaged with because focus on men, youth, apologetics or diversity. Leadership: leaders empower others to use immigrants are particularly important to our nation. Almost Other members of the research team are Arch Wong (Practi- their skills 50 percent of immigrants to Canada are Christian, and Roman cal Theology, Ambrose University), Bill McAlpine (Practical Outreach and service: faith-based outreach and Catholic pews are packed in some parishes because immigrants Theology, Ambrose University) and Keith Walker (Personal service, within and beyond love the church. Secondly, though it was mentioned with an and Organizational Leadership, University of Saskatchewan). Community presence: an active presence in the added chuckle, fertility rates are key to flourishing communities Walker ended the day with this comment: “We tend to overstate community at large. that want to endure on the planet. It’s something easily dismissed the case and catastrophize the situation. We need warranted – As defined by the FCI from this conversation, but fertility rates could provoke signifi- hope for the church in Canada. We need to bend toward the cant questions about unspoken assumptions concerning sexuality, light.” The “flourishing” focus is thus one good antidote to materialism, children and gender roles. discouragement and decline. It was suggested at one point that evangelicals are about 50 Christian Reformed leader Syd Hielema says that the Flour- VERSTRAETE TRAVEL years behind the mainline churches in terms of facing serious de- ishing Congregations gathering gets “an A+ in my book. Their approach is very similar to Faith Formation Ministries in the & CRUISES CRCNA.” 2 locations to serve you: Jo-Ann Badley, Dean of Theology at Ambrose, closed by saying, St.Catharines – 36 Secord drive “Beware of the quest for a silver bullet. There isn’t one. This is as Manager: Ria Lishman much a call to prayer as it is sociology.” The next Tel 905 934 4414 or 1 800 406 6088 phase of FCI research turns to case studies, fol- gast

r lowed by a national survey of congregants. Aurora – 14845 Yonge St. Ste 300 Manager: Anne Winter ende P

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rr Peter Schuurman is an adjunct professor of a B Religion and Theology at Redeemer Univer- Visit www.verstraetetravel.com Speakers at the FCI launch. sity College and Contributing Editor for CC. PAGE 4 christian courier Editorials Fractured fairy tales and mixed-up pageants Following Jesus, politically Angela Reitsma Bick Gideon Strauss

Not long after the fox finished off that Gin- On December 17, 2016, theologian Miro- gerbread Boy, the old woman who made slav Volf and journalist Kirsten Powers had him decides to try again. She bakes a Gin- an intriguing exchange on Twitter. gerbread Girl this time, saying that “surely It started out with a tweet by Prof. Volf: a sweet little girl wouldn’t run away!” “You can be a conservative or a liberal and Alas, the nimble cookie does – revising the refrain for a follower of Christ, but it is not possible to be a follower of her gender: “I’ll run and I’ll run/ With a leap and a twirl./ Trump and a follower of Christ.” You can’t catch me/ I’m the Gingerbread girl!” She out- Ms. Powers replied: “How is this any less toxic than when strips everyone who tries to catch her, and then outwits the right-wing Christians declare liberals not ‘real Christians’? (As fox that ate her brother. Check out Lisa Campbell Ernst’s I’m told regularly on Twitter)” book to find out what happens next! To which Prof. Volf responded: “What is toxic ‘bout the The world of children’s picture books is a lively one, claim that Trump’s (or HRC’s) character and political vision are with as much for adults to enjoy as kids. Our family incompatible with Christ’s?” regularly hits the limit of 50 books per card from the A few tweets later, Ms. Powers wrote: “I find it toxic when public library. About half are hardcover picture books. ppl from opposing political sides claim to know who is a And every basketful has at least five fairy tale spinoffs ‘real Christian’. . . this is typically done by Christian Right.” like The Gingerbread Girl. Have you noticed this too? I And Prof. Volf clarified: R“ esponsible Christians debate love fairy tales so I think this is fantastic. A Disney princess joins the manger scene. not who is the real Christian but what positions are compatible Jack and the Bean Snacks with following Christ.” Snoring Beauty to Mouldylocks and the Three Clares. This exchange raises the question: What is it like to follow Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs Somewhere around Interstellar Cinderella I remember Jesus, politically? Some are clever parodies, like The Principal’s New wondering, “Did that make sense to our kids? Have we My own following of Jesus is increasingly shaped and helped Clothes. Others depend on pictures to subvert the traditional read regular Cinderella?” by the historical Christian liturgical year, punctuated as it is by storyline. Some are simple re-writes, updated to contempo- So I started searching for the originals. What good is Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Ascension. Writing rary times (Splinters, starring a Canadian, hockey-playing a counterpoint on its own? this column during Advent, in eager anticipation of Christmas, Cinderella) or given a new setting and characters (such as In that particular library, general picture books were I’m particularly wondering what it is like, politically, to follow Jan Brett’s beautiful 3 Little Dassies). Quite a few combine shelved separately from “pure” fairy tales; in fact, about 40 the Jesus who became incarnate as a human person. people from different stories with witty results. Others are feet apart. We found them and filled in the gaps of fairy tale textbook examples of postmodernity – characters that step history. (Not all the way back, however; original Grimm Fellow citizens out of their own narrative to address the reader directly (The was not my goal.) Recently, while reading the obituary of a Jesuit scholar, I came True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!), to challenge the traditional Most of the revised fairy tales can stand alone, of across the phrase cura personalis. It is a new term to me, but ending or to otherwise upend the original story (The Jolly course. They are good stories in their own right. And it turns out that it is a long-established and very important Postman is a classic). Lots are brilliant and entertaining. some books, such as early Curious George and Brunhoff’s practice for Jesuits. Usually translated as “care for the whole Babar, have racially prejudiced stereotypes that should be person,” it started out as a summary of how supervisory respon- Background check removed. There’s nothing inherently better about the first sibilities are to be carried out within the Jesuit order: caring for I noticed the trend when our daughters were young and we version of a story; our legwork was fueled by passion. each man in the community in a way that attends to his unique started hanging out more in the children’s section. We read But being familiar with the originals does make con- personal gifts, needs, limitations and capabilities. Over time the all kinds of books, from Goldilocks and the 3 Dinosaurs temporary books richer. Parody in particular depends on it. practice has been extended to the relationships among schol- ars – teachers and students – in Jesuit educational institutions. Nativity Jeopardy This seems to me to be an apt term for what it looks like to Christian Courier All of this was going through my mind last month during follow the incarnate Jesus in our inter-personal relationships, Christmas pageant season. Too often, though the actors including our politics. What is it like to “do politics” in a way Founded in 1945 are children, the script is directed at an adult audience. that cares for the whole person of each of our fellow citizens? An independent biweekly that seeks to engage creatively in critical Christian journalism, connecting Christians Ironic and self-referential storylines seem certain that Earlier during Advent I was part of a small group discus- with a network of culturally savvy partners in faith these adults need a steady mix of anachronisms and pop sion of Jesus’ incarnation, for which we read a few paragraphs for the purpose of inspiring all to participate in culture references to break the tedium of Luke 2. All the from the early 20th century Anglican bishop Charles Gore. God’s renewing work within his fallen creation. same fictional trends crop up in church: multiple perspec- Bishop Gore wrote about the incarnation: “This was no failure EDITORIAL TEAM & PRODUCTION STAFF tives, sarcastic narrators, non-linear storylines, characters of power. God is love, and love is sympathy and self-sacrifice. Editor: Angela Reitsma Bick [email protected] talking directly to the congregation. The Incarnation is the supreme act of self-sacrificing sympathy, Features Editor: Monica deRegt [email protected] Reviews Editor: Brian Bork [email protected] Somewhere around King Herod reimagined as a by which one whose nature is divine was enabled to enter into Contributing Editor: Michael Buma [email protected] jocular Herod Trebek, host of Nativity Jeopardy, I started human experience. He emptied himself of divine prerogatives Contributing Editor: Peter Schuurman [email protected] wondering “Did that make sense to our kids? Do they so far as was involved in really becoming man, and growing, Contributing Editor: Bert Witvoet [email protected] know how wicked regular Herod was?” feeling, thinking and suffering as a man.” What is it like to Admin/ads/web: Ineke Medcalf-Strayer [email protected] With Scripture more than fairy tales, it seems to me, “do politics” in a way that follows the Jesus who acted in self- Circulation: Rose der Nederlanden [email protected] we ought to pay attention to the original. Think carefully sacrificing sympathy, fully attentive to the feelings, thoughts, Social Media Editor: Jennifer Neutel [email protected] about how this play will sound to five-year-olds or to sufferings and other experiences of our fellow citizens? Christian Courier is published by the Board of Reformed Faith Witness: Gary Van Eyk, Sylvan Gerritsma, Nelly Westerhoff and Emma Winter. someone who’s never been to church. The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not imply Puns and parodies might get some laughs, but Christ’s Closer to home agreement or endorsement by Christian Courier or the publisher. humble, miraculous birth is already timeless and univer- There is surely much more than “care for the whole person” Please contact circulation if you cannot afford the subscription price of $65.00 but want to receive Christian Courier. sal. It doesn’t need to be made more relevant or relatable. and “self-sacrificing sympathy” to the political implications The paper is published the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Have we stopped trusting that Scripture all by itself of following the incarnate Jesus we celebrate at Christmas. Christian Courier Tel: 905-682-8311 can make sense? Even to kids? And Advent and Christmas are just the very beginning of what 5 Joanna Dr 1-800-969-4838 the church year celebrates of the life of the Jesus whom we St Catharines ON L2N 1V1 Web site: christiancourier.ca Angela Reitsma Bick is Editor of Christian Courier, currently follow. But: wow! I am trying to imagine some of the ways enjoying with her daughters some of the chapter books that in which I must adjust how I live if I am to follow Jesus, reimagine fairy tales. Your book recommendations and feed- politically, in just these two ways. back are always welcome at [email protected]. Continued on page 5 january 9, 2017 page 5 Letters

Knowing the Truth The cross-Canada adventures of our Christmas issue Thanks for the article “Being the Truth” (Robert Bruinsma, Nov. 28, 2016). I appreciate Jennifer Neutel the title, and also the challenge with which you end the article. Let me say that I have great respect for all who are willing to go out on a limb to do what they believe is right. The plans for quintupling our Christ- In response, here is another example of handling this kind of dilemma: Corrie ten mas issue – 10,000 copies printed, with Boom’s sister, who when questioned about housing Jews, said they were “under the enough advertisers to pay for extra dis- –500 table.” (I suspect a tablecloth hanging down low over the table.) She spoke the truth in tribution – seemed daunting at first. Did –450 faith, and trusted God to take care of them all (since also those who housed “wanted we have enough time to arrange every- –400 people” were punished). The Germans left and they all were safe. thing? Would we get enough revenue? –450 Another example is rather “proactive.” While we were serving in Hungary and Ukraine, Where would all these extra copies go? –300 we met some pastors who had disagreed with Stalin and wanted to defend the Truth. By God’s grace we not only secured –250 Together they wrote Stalin a letter warning him that he would be responsible to God for enough revenue but you – CC read- –200 what he was doing! Needless to say, they were punished and sent far off to “work camps.” ers – came forward as ambassadors to –150 –100 We are not asked how we would respond to situations we are not in. help us get this issue into the hands of – 50 We are asked how we respond to the situations we are in! potential new subscribers. We cannot I would agree that truth is foremost an ethical category. Yes! truthful statements may thank you enough for that support! be used to misrepresent the truth! However, does it exclude speaking the truth? I would From Halifax to Fort Saskatchewan argue that at the heart is knowing the Truth and trusting that Truth with all our heart! to Vancouver, hundreds of bulk boxes I wonder in how far the Truth is reflected in us and who we are? Or have we forgot- arrived the week before Christmas, ten that the Truth will set us free? along with a bulletin insert encourag- Aria Sawyer ing people to subscribe. organizations. We simultaneously posted all the Smithers, B.C. Given the number of extra copies and content from the issue online for free. the time of year, the postal service served Our sincere thanks goes to the ambassadors Two new columns and a few good-byes us very quickly. Only one box was deliv- listed below (with apologies if anyone has acci- I’m very pleased to welcome two new columnists to CC’s pages in 2017: Roland De ered to the wrong address. Instead of ar- dentally been omitted). We pray that God will bless Vries and Katie Munnik. Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries is Director of Pastoral Studies at riving at the door of First CRC in Barrie, these efforts to reach a wider audience! Montreal’s Presbyterian College. His first column on the “twitch-ticklingly wonderful it arrived at an address down the road. Harry Bick Nick Overduin problem of words” is on page 8. When nothing turned up after a few days, Brian Bork Sara Pot You can read Katie Munnik’s “Messy Table” column in our next issue; it will focus we shipped another box, which again had Anton Brink Joe Reitsma on seasons around the family table and the “inexhaustible, uncontainable hospitality of complications. Providentially, however, Robert W. Bruinsma Joel Ringma God.” Originally from Ottawa, she lives in Cardiff, Wales with her family. Both writers on Sunday morning the homeowners Michael Buma Derek Schuurman formerly contributed to the Presbyterian Record, which ceased publication in December. brought over the first missing box! Paul Buma Peter Schuurman CC is marking a few endings too: Cathy Smith is stepping down as columnist; Marian As a new member to the CC team, Tine Buma Kathleen Talstra VanTil will no longer contribute to the Church Pages; and Rachel Baarda has handed the Christmas issue was a great learn- Monica deRegt Liz Tolkamp over the role of Social Media Editor to our Development Manager Jennifer Neutel. ing experience for me. Each note I Audrey derNederlanden Marjorie Tuininga Cathy Smith, while also resigning from her role as Contributing Editor, will still write received from you showed the dedica- Rudy Eikelboom Ray Vanderploeg occasional Features and Reviews, and Marian VanTil will continue her column. We hope tion of our subscribers to seeing this Fred Eringa Maynard van der Galien to still hear from Rachel in these pages now and then too! Many thanks are due to these newspaper thrive. Curt Gesch Heidi VanDerSlikke three writers for the time and gifts they’ve poured into Christian Courier. A few folks went above and beyond. August Guillaume Ray Vander Kooij Editor Special thanks to columnist Robert Wilma & Wick Hamstra Kathy Vandergrift Bruinsma, who personally accepted Nandy Heule Herman Veeneman 1,100 copies and saw that they were Lisa Howells Ike & Jennie Witteveen Following Jesus, politically distributed to many churches and lo- Andy Knibbe Exeter Christian Re- Instead of immediately trying to imag- cations in Edmonton. Our circulation Dorothy Kwantes formed Church ine such “care for the whole person” and manager, Rose derNederlanden, deliv- David Koyzis First CRC St Thomas “self-sacrificing sympathy” on the scale ered more than 1,400 copies while Joe Nick Loenen All Nations CRC in of national or international politics – Reitsma delivered 1,000. Bill Los Halifax on the level at which it might directly Approximately 100 new locations Robert MacLarkey Institute for Christian matter to Americans that they voted for received free issues, including more Hannah Marnoch Studies Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, or to than 80 Reformed churches, as well Ineke Medcalf Redeemer University Canadians that we identify ourselves as as some Christian schools and other Jane Moore College members of the Conservative, Liberal or New Democratic Parties – what matters Christian Courier most immediately to me is what follow- Canada mail: U.S. mail: Publications Mail Agreement No. Christian Courier (USPS 518-090) ing Jesus is like in borough politics. Say, 40009999 Second-class postage paid at regarding zoning by-laws and parking Return undeliverable Canadian Lewiston NY regulations. addresses to Postmaster: send address changes In my own borough of Outremont, Christian Courier to: Christian Courier, Box 110 5 joanna dr Lewiston NY 14092 Montreal, the big controversy of the mo- St. Catharines ON L2n 1v1 ment is the borough council’s decision email: [email protected] to ban new places of worship – a decision particularly affecting my Hasidic Jewish Subscriptions: Canada and USA Online Overseas neighbours, who are in need of a new synagogue. What would it be like for me, as a one year (20 issues) $65.00 $40.00 $100 citizen of Outremont, to act with care for the whole person, to act with self-sacrificing two years (40 issues) $120.00 sympathy, towards both my Hasidic and non-Hasidic neighbours, in the midst of this Advertising deadlines: display and classified advertising: Tuesday, 9 a.m. (13 days before controversy? I need to get to know my neighbours quite a lot better to even begin to publication date) See classified pages or web sitewww.christiancourier.ca for more details. answer this question! (ISSN 1192-3415) Published second and fourth Mondays of the month. How about you? What would it be like if you were to follow Jesus, politically, at the Address all correspondence to: 5 Joanna Dr, St. Catharines ON L2N 1V1 most local level, in 2017? Tel: 905-682-8311 or 1-800-969-4838 Gideon Strauss is Associate Professor of Worldview Studies e-mail: Advertising: [email protected] at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. Subscriptions: [email protected] PRINTED IN CANADA PAGE 6 christian courier News Conservative ‘Theology Matters’: Compelling conviction draws membership

Peter Schuurman porary without compromise” and national leader, wrote in 1966 see their mission to “proclaim the the provocatively titled A Church Twenty years ago Tony Campolo authority of God’s Word without Without God, a purportedly “for- wrote in Can Mainline Denomi- apology.” One young female at- ward-looking” endorsement of nations Make a Comeback? that tendee I met felt it “offered her a church where the Bible, resur- “there are those who claim that more clarity and certainty” in rection and “the old morality” mainline denominations are in her faith life than her previous were of negligible significance decline because they are theologi- church. Another couple told me to the church. The bestsellers cally liberal and don’t preach the they moved on to HBC from a of John Robinson, John Spong, gospel. I don’t believe that! [. . .] megachurch because they wanted Tom Harpur and currently Gretta Whatever is wrong with mainline to move on to “deeper” Christian Vospers carry on this skeptical denominations, the problem does discipleship. They saw their for- tradition and are read by many not lie with what the preachers mer church as compromised, hav- preach or what the church people ing to cater to unchurched patrons, believe.” and watering down its message Campolo did admit, though, to suit perceived outsider needs that the mainline were a little too and tastes. preoccupied with social and po- Ironically, the word “inclusive- litical issues. Already in the 1970s ness” is not spoken frequently other sociologists were saying from these pulpits, and yet they mainline churches were dying be- grow. Even if the number of cause they were liberal, and their “unchurched” converts to HBC numbers were dropping precipi- churches is small, they are com- tously – by the tens of thousands pelling conviction from other con- Survey results will "be threatening to some," Dr. Paulsen says. per year. The numbers continue gregations perceived to be less fer- to plummet, but theology is often The majority of pastors in the growing churches agree that Jesus physi- vent in faith. Their retention rate mainline baby boomers seeking kept off the table as a significant cally rose from the dead; only half of the shrinking churches' pastors did. seems to be high. Only time will heterodox teaching. factor in decline. tors said the same. Likewise, 100 Donald in 1988 and there are now tell if they flourish for the long- Dr. Paulsen claims the Angli- This is why a new study called percent of growing church pastors over 70 HBC church plants in the term and bring sustained blessing can church remains creedal in its “Theology Matters” just published agreed that “God performs mira- U.S., 14 in Canada, 10 in Central to their neighbours. faith. “It’s all in the liturgy,” she in Research in Religion by Re- cles in answer to prayer” but only America, 8 in Europe (the ma- explained. “You can’t just say deemer professor Kevin Flatt with 44 percent of pastors in declining jority in Romania), 8 in Africa Shift to mission ‘anything goes.’ Now the old lib- his colleagues at Wilfrid Laurier – congregations agreed. These num- (mostly Liberia), and 13 in Asia Some in the mainline denomina- eral clergy have retired, and we David Haskell and Stephanie Bur- bers are clearly significant. (mostly Nepal). tions are paying attention to this know orthodox theology connects goyne – is being flagged in media “Theological conservatism,” I have visited the HBC congre- “Theology Matters” study. Judy with people spiritually. God hasn’t from Macleans to the Globe and however, may be a misnomer; a gation in Oakville, Ontario, which Paulsen is the Director for the In- given up on us.” Mail and even the U.K.’s Guard- better label might be “Christian under the leadership of Robbie stitute of Evangelism at Wycliffe The bigger picture is the break- ian. It gives clear evidence that orthodoxy,” as none of the ques- Symons leapt into the thousands College, Toronto, the more con- down of Christendom – the crum- theological conservatism – under- tions ask about proximity to a of attendees in a few short years. servative of Anglican seminaries bling of old institutional struc- stood as a high view of the author- denominational tradition, about Former Reformed church mem- in Canada. It is also the one with tures. The church is no longer ity and reliability of the Bible, an creation/evolution or about social bers, and even former Christian highest enrollment. “The House propped up by the state, and many emphasis on the exclusivity of ethics (for eg., LGBTQ or women Courier writers, now attend these of Bishops is talking about this re- nominal believers have left. “This Christianity and greater openness in leadership) but rather focus on churches, which carry a strident search,” she reassures. “Still, it will is an extraordinary opportunity for to the idea that God intervenes in the deity of Christ, the practise of and embattled American evan- be threatening to some; it will be the church to engage in mission,” the world – is positively linked daily prayer and the forgiveness gelical approach that has been dismissed, denied and denigrated.” Paulsen added. “Mission cannot with church growth. of sins through Christ’s death on called “neo-Reformed.” They Ernest Harrison, a Canadian be one seminary course; it must the cross. promote themselves as “contem- Anglican minister and denomi- permeate every course we teach.” Survey findings One might argue that cognitive There are many obstacles to They surveyed 2,255 mainline assent to certain doctrines is less overcome in this shift to mission. church-goers in the GTA from 22 important than the vibrancy of a “When I preach in churches and different congregations as well church’s ministry, its depth of love ask, ‘Who are the evangelists as their pastors. Nine of these for the stranger and the richness here?’ no one has ever raised a churches were selected because of congregants’ spiritual practice, hand. People are terrified of evan- they had grown more than two maturity and wisdom. But those gelism – it’s seen as objectifying, percent per year for 10 years. things are much harder to mea- mechanistic and recipe-focused. Thirteen of them were selected sure, and were not the focus of the But our baptism is a commission- because they declined by more study. This study suggests clear ing to bear witness, and this is the than two percent per year for 10 convictions about Christ and his goal of our Institute: to cultivate years. After crunching the num- kingdom remain a key component churches as evangelizing commu- bers and filtering out any possible in compelling people to church. nities. And we can’t do that with- third variables, the results made out a clear, orthodox Christology.” clear that “theology matters” when Bringing in the harvest it comes to church growth. An illustration from outside of Truth matters For example, 93 percent of pas- mainline institutions: The Har- The “Theology Matters” research tors in the growing congregations vest Bible Chapel association of shows that contemporary worship agree that Jesus physically rose churches originated in the greater and a strong youth program also from the dead. Only 56 percent Chicago area under the leader- correlate with church growth. But of the shrinking churches’ pas- ship of (Canadian) James Mac- “Jesus and the Disciples, Post-Resurrection,” artist unknown. Continued on page 7 january 9, 2017 page 7 News

Conservative ‘Theology Fresh orthodoxy five centuries later Matters’ continued Darren Roorda the researchers make clear that people attracted to a fresh style As the Canadian Ministries Director of the of music are not necessarily the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), I find people who commit for the long Haskell, Flatt and Burgoyne’s “Theology Mat- haul. It’s the orthodox convic- ters” study extremely interesting (see page 6 for tions – and the sense that believ- a summary). You see, sometimes I am part of ing key doctrines matters and that conversations in which the CRC is understood this good news ought to be shared to be the most liberal expression of Christianity with neighbours far and near – that from which a believer would want to run. And the Gospel.’” So, it begs the question: what are lead to healthy growth. indeed, people do, thinking that the CRC is the diverse, modern means by which orthodoxy This is a limited study: only “going to hell in a handbasket.” At other times, finds its healthy expression? 22 congregations in Ontario. A I am part of conversational circles or leadership Simply stated, according to the study, the national study is necessary. But groups in which this faith tradition stands out as findings indicate that a confident prayer min- it echoes other research. A large a lonely bastion of conservative Christianity, and istry, intentional focus on youth ministry, a academic study was done in the people look at me sideways because my faith is willingness to contemporize worship (drums, 1990s of mainline Presbyterians so markedly conservative, so “reformed.” Both electric guitar etc.), the use of technology and in the USA. Its title, Vanishing cases can spark an identity crisis. exercising Christian church behaviour beyond Boundaries, suggests that the lines Here is what I perceive to be the heart of Sundays all play a strong role. For a growing that distinguish Christian teachings study’s conclusion, which speaks to this iden- church, if you add to that the deeply embedded and practises were blurring. People tity crisis and the question of how denomina- knowledge within a congregant that all of the were confused about what their tions grow. The key finding, as it has now been above is done through the strong behavioural church stood for. Denominational expressed from the report itself, “Clergy and purposes of evangelism (Matt 28:20), you’ve loyalty was waning, and many of congregants of growing churches are more got the right thrust toward growth. these Calvinists felt that passing theologically conservative.” on the faith to their children was Maybe that’s the silver bullet, the magic A contextual gospel imposing on the child’s autonomy. elixir? If all of the churches would somehow But to me that sounds like orthodoxy! That just Mainline Presbyterians became become “conservative” our denomination’s sounds like healthy Christian ministry. It sounds distinguished only by their form of challenges would all disappear?! like Talbot Street CRC in London, Ontario that church government; any theology Do visions of blue psalter hymnals and solo meets in an historic building and is driven by the “specifically Calvinistic is gone.” organs come running through your mind? Should core of the gospel, vibrant worship and a strong We might say from the stand- all of the churches who only have one service on desire to reach others. It sounds like Crosstowne, point of a creation theology, bound- a Sunday resurrect the evening service? Should the church plant in Milton meeting in an industrial aries protect valuable goods. They we restore all offices to be open to only men? strip mall and serving the community well. It define things; they create a sense And get those crazy drums off the platform? sounds like River City in Cambridge that meets of belonging and offer a place to You might think so upon hearing of the study’s in a movie theatre and seeks to reach the city in be welcomed, worship, play and “conservative” conclusion. But it is the farthest fresh ways with a liberally orthodox and authentic rest. Stretching out a big tent to thing from the truth conveyed in the report. And approach. And it sounds like First CRC in Van- include a wide diversity of teach- it is the farthest thing from the reality of growing couver, B.C. in which “ministry partners” were ing can be emotionally satisfying, churches in the CRCNA in Canada. made with the provincial government as they but it makes identity and belonging designed a significant effort to serve incoming unclear. With only a vague “other,” Healthy orthodoxy refugees. And it sounds like John Calvin CRC in difference and thus dialogue and The word “conservative” might better be under- Truro, Nova Scotia as it has developed a half-acre evangelism fade in significance. stood to mean “orthodox.” In the Macleans article community garden (complete with deer fence) A church can have a strong, which profiled this report, pastor Joel Sherbina of a specifically targeting single parent families. These particular – even theologically growing Presbyterian church in Paris, Ontario put churches and many more are breathing life into exclusive – identity and be a wel- very helpful words in place of “conservative” when their neighbourhoods, towns and cities by fram- coming place. Christ came bear- he said “We would say we are Christians who ing the gospel for their context. How reformed! ing both grace and truth (John hold orthodox views.” Orthodox – meaning long How conservative! How orthodox! 1:14). Grace welcomes with open standing, firm, Bible-centered tenets of faith. And This orthodoxy is not stuck or traditional. Or- arms, but it invites people to some strikingly, the study “Theology Matters” indicates thodoxy is vibrant, life-giving and attractive. Or- truth – in this research specifically that those orthodox views/tenets when partnered thodoxy is growing. And the Christian Reformed truth about Christ, his divinity, his with a generous dose of creativity, expression and Church in North America is increasingly working life, his resurrection, his return – purpose create the environment in which churches so that all of its parts foster these behaviours. which point to things that either grow. And that is nothing like what comes to When I stop and allow these kinds of churches happened or did not. Theology mind when one thinks of “conservative.” Yet this and characteristics to flood the pictures in my matters because truth matters, and generous orthodoxy is precisely the attitude and mind, I don’t have an identity crisis at all. I real- people respond when they sense a expressions I often see propelling the healthiest of ize that I am a member of a denomination with church has integrity about its core. Canadian congregations in the CRCNA. struggles, sure. And I am also a member of a grow- “If we’re going to be the Local churches firmly rooted in the gospel ing movement of orthodoxy that is seeking to be church,” said Paulsen with some (Christ alone, faith alone, scripture alone, grace Christ in so many fresh ways. In this year in which irony, “then we need to be the alone, for God’s glory alone) and looking to we recognize the 500th anniversary of the Refor- church.” express it in authentically diverse ways for their mation, it feels appropriate to say that these kinds specific communities are the ones creating a of churches are “reformed and buzz and growing. Macleans took notice of this always reforming.” Peter Schuurman and wrote: “Growing conservative churches also recently finished a have an ironic openness to modernity in spread- Darren Roorda is Director of PhD in Religious ing the Word, though not modern readings of the Canadian Ministries for the Studies. Word itself. ‘Everything is on the table, except Christian Reformed Church. PAGE 8 christian courier Columns

Fermented Faith Brian Bork When nobody wins You might’ve read in It’s fair to presume that this sensibility is the national media sto- at play in the regrettable affair at Laurier. ries about the firing of the manager of Veritas Non-punitive activism Café, a small restaurant And you know, there’s a lot to be said for on Laurier’s campus, a campus culture that seeks inclusivity and over what was deemed equity. They both strike me as fine things to to be inappropriate content in an online fight for, and certainly no Christian should be job posting. In the ad, the manager stated a stranger to the idea that the tongue can spark he was looking for “a new slave (full-time forest fires, either. And yet, here we are, in the staff member) to boss (mentor), . . .” among midst of a big mess, with no winners in sight. other tongue-in-cheek remarks about the Maybe we’re in this big mess because we’re Introducing ‘Word(s) and Wonder’ requisite qualifications of applicants. trying to do the good work of inclusion and “Words is oh such a twitch-tickling problem to me all my life.” That’s how the reported story goes, any- equity in a culture that is ever more fractured – The BFG way. Rumours around campus imply there and individualistic. We’re at cross-purposes. It is not only Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant who has a twitch- might be more to the story. There usually is. So, in frustration, we reach for punitive mea- tickling problem with words. Rather, words are a frequent source of Yet I still can’t see the benefit of any of sures instead of restorative ones; we aim botheration (to use a word the BFG might appreciate!) for many of it. I don’t really know who wins in this situ- to shame rather than educate; we atomize us. In the case of Dahl’s fictional character, words represent a chal- ation, but my sense is that nobody does. On ourselves into ever more refined identities, lenge because he has never gone to school and has only ever read one one hand, there’s a café manager who’s been instead of looking for solidarity. This isn’t book – Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby. Given this history, it is turfed right before Christmas, cut off from his just a Laurier issue either; similar situations no surprise the BFG’s words have ended up as topsy-turvy as they have! livelihood right at the time of year when it mat- have occurred on numerous campuses, and For those of us who inhabit a decidedly non-fictional world, words are a challenge for a ters most. On the other, there’s the president of – maybe especially – on social media, too. variety of reasons. Foremost among these is perhaps the fact that we are inundated with words. the Graduate Students’ Association (the admin As I’ve been turning this all over in my So many words, in fact, that there is no chance we can absorb them all or attend to them with body that did the firing) who is undoubtedly head this week, a line from St. Anthony the any care. Words come at us from tablets, monitors and magazine pages. Very often they are becoming acquainted with the darkest corners Great, the father of Christian monasticism, screamed at us, whether literally or figuratively, by politicians and advertisers. And then there of the internet: those scuttlers and creeps that has been glowing like an ember in the back is the fact that the reliability of so many words (fake news, anyone?) is often in question. come out to threaten and harass people who of my mind: “Our life and our death is with Within the Reformed tradition that many of us inhabit – whether of the Dutch, the are at the flashpoint of some public contro- our neighbour. If we gain our brother, we have Scottish or some other variety – we face this same challenge in a slightly different form. versy. Out among the general public, the news gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, Too many words! This overflow of words owes partly to our historic and theological dis- story has become grist for reactionary types we have sinned against Christ.” If you ask me, trust of icons and artistry, and of silence and introspection. And it means that our worship who think our campuses are besieged by PC that’s a really fine and mercifully short three services remain heavy on words and thin on silence – our church walls are largely free of thought police. None of this is good. point sermon on Matthew 18:15. But more images that might distract us from apparently more trust-worthy words. So many words! To that last point: I’ve not experienced than that, I’ve been thinking it might be a Laurier’s campus to be a governed by PC fruitful ground for an activism that isn’t puni- Witnesses reactionaries. I have observed that it is, tive, isn’t shaming and isn’t alienating. What The title of this new column within Christian Courier is “Word(s) and Wonder,” and like most campuses, home to a trendy kind would be the contours of an activism rooted with that title I am pointing toward something quite hopeful in relation to our words. of activist spirit, one that is especially pre- in gaining brothers and sisters? What habits Particularly with that playful and parenthetical “s,” I am highlighting the possible prox- occupied with language and vocabulary. would inform it? Do our secular campuses – or imity of our words to the Word – the proximity of our words to the Word through whom Whereas activists from a prior generation our churches, for that matter – even have the all things are created and through whom we have new life and redemption. More, I am might’ve focused on solidarity with campus resources to help us to truly understand that pointing to the fact that our words are capable of bearing the reality of Christ and his service workers, or lobbied against the sort our very life and death is with our neighbour? kingdom into our lives and world. of policies that permit the quick termina- Some translators render St. Anthony’s Among other things, our words can express the love of God, can articulate the mystery tion of contract employees, the current “gain” as “win.” If we “win” our brother, and of Jesus’ identity, can declare something of the truly human, and can lift up truth in cir- generation seems more focussed on the sort our sister, too, we win God. In the wake of cumstances where falsehood has gained the upper hand. With our words we can attest to of tongue-taming that (purportedly) fosters a situation where nobody wins, what a wise the wonder of the world and the wonder of the One through whom it is given/redeemed. a campus culture of inclusivity and equity. and challenging thought that is. To express this in slightly different terms, we can say that our words must be spoken and written under the discipline of the gospel. Which, of course, represents another twitch- Brian Bork is CC’s Review Editor and a CRC Chaplain at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. tickling problem for us, and especially for those who make a living with words, whether through teaching or writing or preaching. It is all too easy for our words be only ours – for us to neglect the question of our words’ faithfulness to the living Word. As this column unfolds in time, it will range over a whole variety of topics related to faith, culture, identity and ethics. Of course, we need so much more than words to engage fully with any of these dimensions of life – we also need image and gesture and silence and awe and laughter. Yet for me the promise of proximity, between my words and the living Word, means that my reflections might play some part in bearing Christ into our lives and world. As I write this column into the coming months, I also hope that there will always be a kind of playfulness in my words. The more time I spend with words, the more I have recognized the inevitability and significance of the gaps and silences and ambiguities that attend them. But this is not to cast yet more doubt on the reliability or significance of words. It is not to introduce another problem. Rather it is to see the joy that words represent. Writing is like trying to catch a firefly with your bare hands – you think you’ve caught it, and then it suddenly reappears luminescent and floating in front of your nose. And that is a twitch-ticklingly wonderful problem.

Roland De Vries ([email protected]) is Director of Pastoral Studies at The Presbyterian College, Montreal, and a Lecturer in the School of Religious Studies, McGill University. january 9, 2017 page 9 Reviews Charles Williams: The Third Inkling Philip Christman through Oxford University Press, permanently changing literary history. It was a hard, in many ways thankless life. Williams’s mystical, allusive mind prob- We talk of Gnosticism as an early Christian heresy; it is ably helped to compensate. Born in 1886, Williams shared the general late-Victorian better understood as an everyday Christian temptation. fascination with the occult – self-styled magicians, cultists, even Satanists were as hard to Loveless knowledge, implied St. Paul, does nothing avoid in the intellectual and literary circles of that time as meditators in a Whole Foods. but puff you up, and as Christians can hardly help Lindop establishes that Williams was a member not only of A.E. Waite’s goofy Fellow- claiming to know something about God, so the mere ship of the Rosy Cross (a mystical group with Christian leanings, probably no more momentary absence of love threatens to leave us with spiritually dangerous than the Masons) but of a discussion group that may have had less swelled heads. Considering Gnosticism as a name for savoury ties. His poetry can read like an attempt at sympathetic magic, as if he’s using a certain intellectual and spiritual pride, I need only names to influence the things they refer to. On the other hand, it’s equally easy to read one supremely illuminating remark, worth libraries of much sympathetic magic and ritual as itself a kind of embodied allegory, an attempt to commentary. It is this: “See, understand, enjoy, said the communicate a vision of wholeness or perfection through the manipulation of physical Gnostic; repent, believe, love, said the Church, and if things: a kind of writing with objects. Did Williams’s occult mind influence his literary you see anything by the way, say so.” mind, or was it just that mind continuing to work in another medium? The man who wrote those words – Charles Williams, I don’t think Williams’s many imperfections invalidate his books. Against a fascination Charles Williams: The in Descent of the Dove – traveled both paths. Fans of with the occult and a penchant for being flattered by young women, we have to set great Third Inkling the Inklings and of Christian fantasy generally have long personal kindness, a ready sympathy for the downtrodden, and most of all, the books. Grevel Lindop known Williams as the great bromance of C.S. Lewis’s They embody every spiritual quality that Williams sometimes lacked – and isn’t that the later life, and as the author of a series of “spiritual thrillers” (so T.S. Eliot, also a friend, called most we can say of any spiritual writer? Descent Into Hell (1937) offers a depiction of them) that readers invariably speak of in condescending tones, while continuing to devour spiritual pride that will drive any reader to his or her knees. War in Heaven (1930) has them even as putatively worthier books lay untouched. Lewis and Auden revered him – not one of the best opening sentences of its era (“The telephone bell was ringing wildly, but merely his writings, but what they considered his personal holiness. And yet Lewis’s finest without result, since there was no-one in the room but the corpse”). And there’s a scene biographer, Alan Jacobs, speaks for many when he calls Williams “creepy.” The scholar in a country church in The Greater Trumps (1932) that says more about romantic love as Sorina Higgins finds him sexist, perverse, theologically heterodox, and altogether deeply an opening for spiritual transformation than a hundred songs. Most of all, there’s Descent troubling – and she’s a fan. He is one of those permanent minor writers who clings to the of the Dove (1939), a visionary work of church history that sits with Orthodoxy, Mere great ship Literary Canon by the fingertips. Grevel Lindop’sCharles Williams: The Third Christianity and Unapologetic on the list of books that make Christianity interesting by Inkling makes a persuasive case for hoisting him aboard, while also helping to explain why reminding us, in forceful epigrams, what Christianity is. All his books, even the dullest, this great Christian writer left, and continues to leave, such differing impressions. make the spiritual world seem as tangibly real as a cup of coffee. The first thing to know about Williams is that he wasn’t rich. In chapter after chapter, Williams wanted to know the secrets of the universe. Sometimes he Lindop describes a pace of work that would have crushed a man ten times healthier. wanted only to see, understand, enjoy them. More often, he knew they Throughout his adult life Williams writes poems, novels, biographies, prefaces, closet could only be gotten at by love. At his best, he knew that Love was and liturgical dramas, spiritual and devotional works, letters and lectures in a chaotic precisely who they were. profusion that resembles the atmosphere of his “shabby-genteel” childhood home, where Phil Christman writes and teaches in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is every adult seems to have had four or five sidelines. He did all this while shepherding the the editor of the Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing. first complete English edition of Tolstoy, and the first English translations of Kierkegaard,

as he can with as little contact as possible Now you’re thinking my language while Louise is constantly arguing that truly communicating takes time and requires Walter Miedema the sounds that the aliens are making. After vulnerability. It’s a process that recognizes claiming that it’s impossible to translate that language is messy and the difference Communication is complicated. It always from an audio file, Weber leaves to approach between “weapon” and “tool” might not involves an attempt to mesh at least two a linguist colleague at another university, be as clear as we think. It isn’t until Louise ways of thinking that don't line up. Arrival, but not before Louise tells him to ask her takes the risk of removing her protective suit the recent film directed by French Canadian competitor to translate the Sanskrit word for during the second meeting with the aliens Denis Villeneuve, takes this strangeness to “war.” Weber returns for her in a helicopter. that progress is made through “a proper its fictional extreme in presenting a first The competitor had translated the word as introduction.” contact scenario between humanity and an “argument” while she chose to see it as “a Arrival’s main argument seems to be alien race. The film hangs its premise on the desire for more cows.” In this Louise reveals that choosing to risk and remain connected idea that the language you speak and think that she is willing to look past fear and see the in communication is ultimately more im- shapes how you think and understand the potential for communication with anyone. portant than trying to protect yourself by world. This has significant implications for The first conversation between Louise holding back. At a low point in the com- how you encounter others who do not speak and Weber parallels the hesitation present munications, Louise tells Weber, “as long your language. in the first encounter with the aliens. We’re as they stay, we have to stay.” The film also Arrival’s central character, Louise not privy to its final moments but we’re suggests that in order to truly communicate Banks, played with incredible depth by made aware that it wasn’t exactly an imme- with someone you need to learn to think at Amy Adams, is a linguist called upon to diately successful introduction. Prior to its least a little like they do. Ultimately, it is a help the American government translate the breakdown, the presentation of the strange- misunderstanding rooted in fear that forces language of aliens who arrive unannounced ness of the first encounter with the aliens is is the fact that they remain separated from Louise to take a risk and reach out, make a in 12 enormous ships. In this project, she heightened. Barriers and literal changes in the aliens by a fog, a transparent wall and connection and find unity. For her the con- is partnered with physicist Ian Donnelly, perspective are shown via a literal shift in even the bulky suits they are forced to wear, nection is worth it no matter how difficult played by Jeremy Renner. The film follows gravity. Humans enter the chamber where which obscure their faces and the shape of it might be. Louise’s journey of learning the aliens’ communication is to happen in a process their bodies. Walter Miedema is a part-time language and purpose and discovering how that is clearly disorienting to them and the Throughout the film there is a tension preacher and an aspiring li- that process affects her own story. audience. What is first presented as a wall between Louise’s desire to communicate brarian. He tries to think deep- Louise’s journey from confusion to clarity becomes a floor, then the ceiling and then a and connect and the caution and fear that’s ly about art, theology and sto- begins when Colonel Weber (Forest Whita- floor again. What is up or down in this set taken hold of everyone else. Colonel Weber rytelling, but it doesn’t always ker) approaches her with an audio file of up isn’t immediately clear. Added to this seems to want to get as much information work. He lives in London, Ont. PAGE 10 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Features The story behind Our Lives: Voices of Westview Centre4Women

Sonya VanderVeen Feddema named Women 4 Women – began years God had led me to WC4C many years ago. ago. In the Sept. 22, 2008 issue of Christian Our group prayed together and asked the A wise friend of mine once said something Courier (“The Persistent Call to Pray for Lord to lead us in seeking justice. I’ve never forgotten: “I wonder what God Prostitutes”), I shared the story of how will do next.” I can still see the quizzical, God led me to the women’s program. In Finding a voice yearning look on her face when she spoke. 2004, I was shaken when I learned about In December 2015, I once again felt the I recalled her comment as I pondered how the global sex trafficking trade, and I began Holy Spirit prodding me to contact Erika God recently led me to a unique, surpris- to pray that God would begin a ministry Klassen, the director of WC4W. We were ing experience – writing a drama based in St. Catharines to reach out to sex trade finally able to meet on February 4, 2016 on the lives of women at a St. Catharines, workers. I didn’t know why God had led during lunch at WC4C. As Erika and I were Ontario, inner city program begun by and me to pray for something that was outside catching up, the director of programming at lodged in Westview Christian Fellowship, of my comfort zone. But the demand to WC4C, Jane LaVacca, joined us. Jane men- and directing the women as they performed pray persisted. tioned that she wanted the women to write a the drama for the public on November 18 Occasionally, I prayed as I walked in the drama about their lives. Immediately, I felt and 19, 2016. Queenston Street neighborhood, an area in- joy! I offered my help if they needed me. According to its website (westviewc4w. famous for the sex trade. At times, a friend They weren’t sure the project was going com), “Westview Centre4Women is a week- joined me on my prayer walks. ahead. Jane was waiting to hear from the ly drop-in providing women of all walks of I didn’t know that the congregation of Niagara Prosperity Initiative from whom life with a safe, welcoming and dignified an acquaintance of mine had purchased a she had requested funding. She hoped that environment where we are accepted and en- church building on Queenston Street. When a drama based on the lives of the women couraged. While at WC4W, every woman is she mentioned this, I told her what I had would give them a voice in the community SCHMIDT PAUL PHOTOS: seen as an equal as everyone has something been praying for, and that I thought it was and alleviate some of the frustration that to offer to the community. We encourage amazing that her church had bought a build- they feel when they aren’t being valued every woman to be herself and strive to ing right on Queenston Street. Imagine my or heard. treat everyone with dignity and respect.” surprise and joy when, in the fall of 2007, When the funding was approved, Jane my acquaintance mentioned that her church and Erika asked me to come on board as The journey begins was beginning a women’s program – open the playwright. Jane created a questionnaire My relationship with Westview to all women, including sex trade workers! for the women about their lives and invited Centre4Women (WC4W) – formerly In March 2008, I was invited to share this them to fill it in. If a woman was illiterate, story with her congregation, Westview she recited her answers to a staff person. I Christian Fellowship. Afterward, I thought received the completed questionnaires, the CREATIVE LIVING that my journey with this church was com- women’s poetry, examples of correspond- (Used with permission. Scene 4, Our Lives: pleted. I couldn’t have been more mistaken! ence written on the women’s behalf to social Allowing women to participate in a drama Voices of Westview Centre4Women) Through the intervening years, our service agencies and the names of songs the based on their own lives gives them a voice women’s Coffee Break Bible study sup- women would like to sing. With input from in the community and alleviates some of the – Hey, how do you make ends meet on ported WC4W with monetary gifts. I also Jane, Erika and Jackie, a woman who uses frustration they feel from not being valued your disability cheque? attended occasional community events the program, we decided on the metaphor or heard. hosted by WC4W, but other than that I of a safety net – which best describes the – Oh, I’m super creative. I dumpster dive wasn’t connected to the program. program – and used that metaphor to shape their stories were traumatic and painful, the for lots of stuff. You can get coupons, Then, in the fall of 2015, I attended the drama. After five practices and many women weren’t looking for pity. A listen- food (only eat it if it’s still wrapped!), an adult education class at my church, challenges, 13 women from WC4W took a ing ear and a welcoming response from the even some good magazines. Covenant CRC, where we studied Live monumental leap, walked on stage and did audience were what they were after. Justly by Jason Fileta, Ronald J. Sider and their part to give all the women at WC4W – Wow, that’s cool, because some others. In my small group, I related how a voice in the community. Though most of What will God do next? days I’m so BROKE I can’t even PAY As I directed the women during the practi- attention! ces, I told them that they would never be the LAUGH SO YOU DON’T CRY same after they participated in the drama. – I rent a room uptown and they don’t (Used with permission. Scene 7, Our Lives: Voices of Westview Centre4Women) Afterward, when I asked the women about allow us to have a hot plate so I make their experience, one woman was silent for grilled cheese sandwiches with my – Did you know I have Dissociative Identity Disorder? It makes for some pretty a moment, then said, “I have no words. No iron and aluminum foil! funny times. Recently I actually called my husband to pick me up from Westview words.” A look of wonder and joy graced Centre4Women and he was like, “Hey honey, you drove your scooter there!” her face. Once again, I remembered the – That’s amazing! I’ve had to get really [Laughing] I totally forgot how I arrived here! My doctor is great, though, and look on my wise friend’s face and the words creative, too, especially with toilet- he’s helping me, and keeps telling me to try to laugh about it all so I don’t cry. she spoke many years ago. ries. They’re so expensive. Recently I wonder – don’t you wonder? – what I had to resort to using coffee filters – Hey, you want to hear something funny? Have you seen that sign out in front God will do next! for feminine hygiene pads! Can you of the new restaurant? They serve tapas. Do you know what tapas are? I found even imagine? Hey, necessity is the out that it’s just smaller portions! Can you imagine? As if we would like that! Our mother of invention! portions are small enough!

– The whole province is all about recyc- – Hey, you want to hear something else that’s funny? My monthly income was re- ling and reducing and reusing, like duced, so I need to find a cheaper place, right? Well, I saw this place I can afford this is something new! Hello? This is and there’s a No Outside Pets rule. So I wonder, do the bed bugs and cockroaches Sonya VanderVeen Feddema our lives! that come with this cheap place count as Inside Pets? is a freelance writer living in St. Catharines, Ont. JANUARY 9, 2017 PAGE 11

Columns

Blessing of the Magi

Jan Richardson

There is no reversing this road. The path that bore you here goes in one direction only, every step drawing you down a way by which you will not return. You thought arrival was everything, that your entire journey ended with kneeling in the place you had spent all to find. When you laid down your gift, release came with such ease, your treasure tumbling from your hands in awe and benediction. Now the knowledge of your leaving comes like a stone laid over your heart, the familiar path closed and not even the solace of a star to guide your way. You will set out in fear you will set out in dream but you will set out by that other road that lies in shadow and in dark. We cannot show you the route that will take you home; Came Also Women Wise Jan Richardson that way is yours and will be found In some parts of the world, Epiphany is also celebrated as Women’s Christmas. Originating in in the walking. Ireland, it began as a day when the women, who often carried the domestic responsibilities all But we tell you year, took Epiphany as an occasion to enjoy a bit of respite and celebrate together at the end of you will wonder the holidays. Whether your domestic duties are many or few, Women’s Christmas is a good time at how the light you thought to pause and take a break from whatever has kept you busy in the past weeks or months. As the you had left behind Christmas season ends, this is an occasion both to celebrate with friends and also to spend time in goes with you, reflection before diving into the responsibilities of this new year. spilling from your empty hands, shimmering beneath your homeward feet, Jan Richardson is an artist and author who shares her work at paintedprayerbook.com, a illuminating the road blog that explores the intersections of writing, art and faith. with every step you take. PAGE 12 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Features High Tory calling Henry Smidstra: An interview with increasingly enmeshed, economically, pol- Ron Dart itically and culturally, in modern and post- modern liberal thought. Professor Ron Dart has taught Political Science, Philosophy and Religious Stud- Wikipedia has identified you as the most ies at the University of the Fraser Valley, important writer of the Red Tory tradition Abbotsford, B.C., since 1990. During that in Canada. What was your goal in your time, he has also authored over 30 books writing? and is renowned as the leading authority I regard it a calling; a vocation to help on the North American High-Red Tory clarify public thought on political-philo- religio-political tradition. The High Tory sophical matters. I feel the need to help tradition is a unique Canadian tradition that tease out the many converging, confusing is withering away under the domineering stands of thought that have come to reside trend toward philosophical liberalism. in Canadian political philosophical thought. I have known Ron for many years and It’s important to note that High Tory is not have learned much from him. My dialogue to be confused with Red Tory, though there with him has motivated me to explore more is a close relationship. The Red Tory desig- deeply the political philosophical roots of nation is a late one in history, and reflects my own Reformed (CRC) thought and the modern tendency to ignore transcendent practice. I interviewed Ron on November norms found in Scripture and in classical A monument dedicated to the United Empire Loyalists, located in Hamilton, Ont. 17, 2016, over tea in our favourite meeting traditions of the Good. There is a Higher spot near Abbotsford, B.C. authority for the High Tory than simply in public political life; this is amplified by within the Reformed family of churches. modern political science’s partisan logic, or the words of John Milton, “I cannot praise Postmodern individual freedom knows of HENRY SMIDSTRA: What motivated pragmatic, political, economic expedients. I a cloistered faith that never sallies forth.” no absolute, nor of direct social, mutual you towards your intensive study of the invite my students and readers to ponder the Today we are daily bombarded by partisan political responsibility. Market forces seem High-Red Tory tradition? liberal sea in which they are tossed to and political rhetoric in a culture steeped in lib- to know best, it is said. This form of liberal- RON DART: I grew up as an Anglican in fro, and to become grounded in something eral modernism’s self-interested notion of ism is the dominant zeitgeist which subtly Toronto in an historic Loyalist, Tory en- more eternal; a grounding that seeks the freedom and possessive individualism. We influences us all; and, thus it is important to vironment. With this formative experience, middle way to avoid current populist trends are all called to avoid uncritical assimilation identify its characteristics, along with dis- and having ancestral roots in Tory southern towards tribalism and identity politics. into the popular liberal mind of our times in cernment of modernism, voluntarism and England, it was natural for me during my We should also be reminded that both order to truly be a positive, collaborative, progressivism. As outlined in the ten-point formal education to ponder where American American and Canadian political traditions transformative presence. Tory Manifesto, found at the beginning of liberalism had come from; whence the frag- are, at the core, all really liberal, so that our Modern partisan politics is detached the book, I suggest that we regard the state mentation, of religion, politics and nations. Canadian political parties simply manifest from life and there is much despair in our positively – that all social sectors are called Influenced by reading Richard Hooker and different strands of modern liberalism. The culture, as well as silly optimism. We are to work cooperatively with the state for George Grant among others, I was seek- question for today’s Blue Tory/conservative called to a higher way, a way that serves to the common good. The Tory founders of ing the religious-philosophical pathways is, “what do you want to conserve?” It will address the need of the common good. In Canada’s federal government designed a of how the West became what it is today, likely be 18th century classical liberalism our secular culture, we need to be knowl- strong central government for the common and how that impacted the development that they want to conserve. edgeable, able and ready to speak from a good, not for individualistic, nationalistic of political thought and practice in North higher plane, with God first, to transcend or corporate grandiosity. A populist slide America. The 1960s and 1970s in Canada This sounds complex. You have been crass tribalism, and resist being polarized such as we are seeing today south of the were challenging days of change, yet I was working with these ideas for many years; by partisan rhetoric. Creatively, in faith and border would be considered irreverent and drawn naturally to the pre-modern form of why is it important or urgent for the love, we can act as “gadflies” as it were, to anarchic. conservatism. Over the years, especially ordinary Canadian Christian to think stimulate positive action. I rely on my sure from the mid 1960s. Canada has become about politics in this way? faith to keep me going in hope; I act on that – To truly understand Canadian politics which I believe. we must know the High Tory way. It is To close his Tory Manifesto, Ron writes, important for Canadians to understand Where do we begin; and how should we, “A Tory calls out in the streets to one and how, historically, Canadian politics differ the average Christian, start? all to lift their eyes, hearts and heads to the from American Republicanism; Canadian We must begin by learning to think heavens and truly see what needs to be seen political history is at the core High Tory outside the box of liberalism. In chapters and lived for.” history. It was the loyalists of the late 18th 16, 17 and 18 of my latest book, The North century relocating to Canada that decisively American High Tory Tradition, I outline influenced the nature of Canadian politics. the matrix of liberalism, and Charles Tay- Henry Smidstra retired in 2012 This foundational Canadian Tory thought lor’s version of liberalism. The political after 21 years as a Prison was in contradistinction to the liberal Whig left, centre and right today all merely tap Chaplain in British Columbia thought of philosophers such as Locke and into Hegelian liberalism. We begin with prisons and also served as Paine that supported the American Revo- understanding the trajectory of modern Missionary in the Philippines lution. As Canadians we are urged to be liberalism which actually has roots in the for CRC World Missions. knowledgeable of the High Tory strand in Reformation. There has been an increasing He now lives in Surrey, B.C., and attends Canadian intellectual and political thought, manner of thinking about freedom-from: Willoughby Christian Reformed Church. thought that differs fundamentally with the beginning with freedom of individual liberal mind established in America. conscience and belief, to declarations of Ron Dart is a professor in All Christians are called to thoughtful independence, to assertion of the abso- the Department of Political action based on the higher virtues of faith, lute sovereignty of the individual in our Science, Philosophy and hope and love, with a depth of knowledge post-modern era. Liberalism’s notion of Religious Studies at the enriched also by the wisdom of pre-modern individual freedom, in my opinion, is at the University of the Fraser Valley traditions. We are called to live out our faith core of much schismatic fracturing even in Abbotsford, B.C. JANUARY 9, 2017 PAGE 13

Features Making God smile: Overcoming denominational barriers through Crisis Response S. Daniel Smith estimation. This miracle provided a base of operations for recovery efforts once Help was coming, just not from where the storm cleared out. However, before Reverend Bill McCutchen of Hilton Head recovery could begin, several challenges Presbyterian (PCA), thought it would. Mc- would have to be overcome. Cutchen, who pastors his church on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, didn’t even Economic challenges know the full extent of Hurricane Mat- The first economic challenge was the thew’s fury when he was first contacted cultural makeup of the island. Because by the ReachGlobal crisis response team Hilton Head is largely a resort and retire- of the Evangelical Free Church of America ment community, many people, especially (EFCA). Yet the confusion of who was in the southeastern U.S., assume the resi- offering help soon gave way to one of the dents of the island are financially well off. greatest examples of the larger church in When disaster strikes, the belief is that action. the island’s residents can recover with- Matthew hit Hilton Head Island as a out outside assistance because of good category two storm and caused significant insurance, retirement plans and personal damage to approximately 400 of the 3,700 money. total damaged buildings, according to city This isn’t the case at all, according reports. In many instances, the damage to McCutchen. “People don’t realize the YARBOROUGH CHRIS PHOTOS: included trees knocked onto buildings, extreme poverty on [the island],” said Mc- roofs damaged by the strong winds, and Cutchen. “This island is filled with poverty the hurricane hit and before most recovery for those unable to get to the church. flooding. Nelson Fuentes, one of the first and human need.” While all ethnicities efforts started. Far from causing conflict, the addition volunteers to respond, said their team dealt with the economic challenge at some Among those arriving with Lewis were of the EFCA crisis response team to Hilton saw “trailer homes with no roofs, trailer level, the native Gullah (see sidebar) and Nelson and Anastasia Fuentes, who were Head Presbyterian has been a boon to the homes with trees on them, cars with trees Hispanic communities experienced it on a raising funds to be long-term missionaries church at large. Working with Hilton Head on them, trees blocking roads, homes half much larger scale. It was these communi- to Belgium. Once Hurricane Matthew hit, Presbyterian “breaks old denominational surrounded by a new lake of floodwater, ties that Hilton Head Presbyterian hoped however, they detoured to the Southeastern barriers and creates a kingdom world- mold already exploding behind the walls to support. U.S. to help. Nelson Fuentes’ work with view,” Nelson Fuentes says. “I think we – homes with that distinct smell of rotten The second economic challenge facing ReachGlobal will be crisis response in Eu- are making God smile.” walls [and] carpets squishing underfoot.” Reverend McCutchen and his congrega- rope, so Matthew’s appearance on Hilton Thankfully, McCutchen’s church was tion was the lack of resources available Head provided the Fuentes family a sneak Physical turns to spiritual undamaged by the storm. Several trees on from the church’s parent denomination peak at the damage a major catastrophe can Yet the real work is just beginning. Helping the property were snapped and brought – the PCA – through the Mission to North cause as well as the experience of church- people with the immediate needs is vital for down, but none of them fell on the church. America (MNA). The MNA was stretched wide recovery effort. their physical well-being, but also as a way The dozen or so trees fell away from the thin due to other emergency responses and Also arriving was Rob Passer, who, to introduce people to the answer for their church building, a miracle in McCutchen’s couldn’t send nearly enough supplies and along with his wife Jackie, had recently spiritual well-being. “I believe true success resources to support the recovery effort. closed a Hurricane Sandy relief station in will be achieved in the weeks and months to This is the exact point that Christ’s church New York. Passer was able to apply his come when we move from relief work into at large stepped in to fill the gap. extensive hurricane recovery experience missional work,” said McCutchen. by coordinating volunteer groups while That effort is already paying dividends The Kingdom at work Jackie, who joined the team a few weeks as people see the volunteers in action. “We Mark Lewis, director for the Evangelical later, focused on meeting families and as- have seen people who have left the Church Free Church of America (EFCA) sessing needs. in the past come to our church now because ReachGlobal Crisis Response, arrived on Once Lewis left to continue recovery they are witnessing the work of Christ in Tuesday, October 11, just three days after efforts in Haiti on October 12 and people action,” McCutchen explains. “Our own such as the Fuentes and Passer families people are invigorated and so thankful to took over the EFCA work, the requests for the Lord for his severe mercy in giving us WHAT IS GULLAH? help came pouring in. In all, the church the opportunity and ability to do this.” received over 300 requests for assistance, One Gullah native islander brought her The Gullah culture, also called geechee, comes from the descendants of African ranging from cutting trees to working entire family to Hilton Head PCA. She slaves brought predominantly from the African west coast. As a culture, Gullah with heavy machinery. Most of the EFCA “wanted to be with Christians who obeyed includes its own form of music, food, farming and fishing traditions, and social Crisis Response team volunteers expected the voice of the Lord, not just talked about interactions that are unique within North American society. The slaves arrived to depart Hilton Head Island by the end of what he had to say.” prior to the American Civil War, but the culture developed in the succeeding November, but not before clearing as many years due to the isolation of that region of America during the time of the Civil of the over 300 requests as possible. War and shortly after. The culture originally included an area from North Carolina Hilton Head Presbyterian and the EFCA to northern Florida, but the area has shrunk considerably to just parts of Georgia ReachGlobal team also assisted the com- and South Carolina, where Hilton Head Island is located. munity by providing meals, which espe- Dan Smith is a freelance writer and career officer in Today, the Gullah culture is made up of men and women who struggle with cially benefited those whose homes were the Navy. He blogs at sdaniel- economic inequality and poor options to get ahead but remain strong in ethic significantly damaged. Volunteers served smith.com and can be found and tradition. On Hilton Head Island, together with the Hispanic immigrant com- thousands of hot meals, using the church’s on Twitter and Facebook by munity, the Gullah people work predominantly in the tourism industry. kitchen, while the manual labor continued. searching Some of the meals were delivered to homes @navychristian. My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

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

PAGE 14 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Columns Toddlers to Teens From the Lab Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom

SU MO TU WE TH Joy & Grace FR SA Principalities Everyday Christian Sara Pot & Powers Hands guided David Koyzis Cathy Smith In our living room, we comfort level for the girls with touch. have a reproduction of We wondered how Rachel would adjust the famous Michelangelo in her typical community school setting fresco painting entitled where kids jostle each other and learn in Technically Speaking Getting Unstuck close quarters. Before she started Grade 4 The Creation of Adam. Derek Schuurman Arlene Van Hove Hanging on the side wall, at Beacon Christian, her first year outside of ours is a close-up of the the Centre, we coached the students ahead hands of Adam and God. It intrigues me, of time with tips on what Rachel would making me wonder why the two fingers like or not like. Intangible Things Flowers and Thistles aren’t actually touching. I want to tell We were surprised and thrilled to see a Adam to move his finger closer to God, positive change for Rachel and her tactile Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch and I’m reminded of a song from my child- defensiveness. Rachel began to respond No doubts hood: Anne Murray’s 1970 classic, “Put with smiles when her peers would rub her Jack had an early morning my soul, and forget not all his benefits.As Your Hand in the Hand.” arms. She would rub their legs or arms with appointment last week. He I listedWo ther dsbenefits from I stopped to consider her feet or with her arms. Her feet became Country Livingwent out to the barn and I each one. By the end of the psalm I was Terms of reference part of her investigation when kids would Wild Horses Meindert Vandercame Galien downstairs to make calm andWarkentins ready for sleep again. Touch is a sensitive issue with children approach her personal space; even the boys coffee. It had stormed the with special needs. I learned the phrases in her class were taken to touching and rub- day before, but now the God’s own word tactile defensiveness and tactile selective bing her feet. And she still loves their touch. wind was still. A reverent hush filled the Today I’m staring out the window at an- when Rachel and Janneke were assessed airPatchwork – the reward Wofor thoserds who get up at 4:30 other spectacularOur World scene Today – a bright blue sky by our therapy teams at Niagara Children’s Resting on the arm of the guide a.m. I peered out the window into a magical over glistening fields. A head cold makes Centre. Tactile defensiveness helps to ex- Understanding Rachel’s tactile issues and world.Meliss Aa fullKuipers moon cast silvery shadows it hardBert to focus, Hielema but I’m still contemplat- plain why a child might resist wearing knowing she cannot grip anything in her across the snow-covered lawn. The trees, ing the contrast between those two very clothing with tags or socks with seams. hand to hold, staff and students developed every branch festooned with a thick layer different experiences last week – morning This is not to be confused with the child hand-under-hand activities with colouring of white, stood at attention under a starry, glory vs. the twilight zone. How can a who is simply exercising their strong will; and writing. Rachel now places her arm on cavernous sky. person go from near euphoria one day to tactile defensiveness refers to a legitimate top of the arm of the student or assistant and I lingered in the dark, knowing I could the brink of panic the next? Was the first fear or overwhelmed feeling that, when follows the movement to mimic the motion never capture such majestic ambiance with experience real, or just my imagination, not understood, prevents a child from pro- of the activity. Hand-over-hand technique my camera. I grasped for words to describe an emotional flight of fancy? Funny – I gressing or engaging in learning. Tactile has also been tried, but Rachel is less in- the picture in front of me, but nothing did don’t question the validity of the second selective refers to touching certain things, clined to have her hand directly guided; it justice. And so I stood there and simply experience. Problems are real. Then again, textures or people; the child is able to se- she’d rather rest on the arm of the guide. took it in, committing it to memory as best it was prayer and God’s own word that lect, either consciously or subconsciously, These ideas of hand-under-hand and I could. How do you hold onto a feeling of banished the anxiety and put the troubles specific things to touch without fear or hand-over-hand help Rachel interact with surreal contentment and the sense that one into proper perspective. What could be apprehension. her peers in the classroom and even in stands in the presence of greatness? Deep more real than the Lord’s presence in the band class. She is able to play a drum both calls to deep – here was a message with lives of his children through blissful mo- Always learning independently and with some hand-over- clarity beyond words, bringing the grace ments as well as stressful ones? Understanding these terms and how they hand, depending on her preference. We of God into the heart of his child, inspir- I think about the new year stretching relate to Rachel and Janneke has helped us are learning she does have preference; she ing a longing to stay close forever. It was out ahead of me, as pristine and unmarked with their development. They didn’t mind will not play the drum when I pull out the a “surprised by joy” moment, such as C.S. as the snow-covered field out the window. to be held in our arms as babies, but the camera to record. Lewis described. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were filled infant cradle hold didn’t necessarily soothe Several weeks ago, I was invited to Twenty-four hours later I woke up at with mornings that glowed with God’s them. In their early years, the girls were attend the weekly chapel at Beacon, as 4:30 again, this time for no apparent reason. presence? But you can’t orchestrate those often indifferent to being held and pulled Rachel would be performing a drum solo. I turned over and tried to settle back into times. They’re a gift. The other moments, their hands and feet away from any sort It was wonderful to witness the small but sleep, but dire thoughts intruded – deep the disheartening ones, are more apt to of explorative touch with textures, toys or incredible milestone of Rachel’s hands concerns for people close to me in serious occur. And yet, God’s presence is real in our hands. The therapy teams at Niagara being supported as they moved over her situations. I offered hazy prayers, toss- those as well. That’s where we live, isn’t Children’s Centre focused on cultivating a drum. As I observed Rachel watching her ing and turning, my mind darting from it – in the midst of daily challenges, but band teacher – and as I saw the student one thing to another. Suddenly my eyes always with the assurance that God is body give attention to Rachel, I couldn’t opened wide. Fully awake I thought of a with us, working it all out for our good help but feel a sense of awe for that sacred bill that needed to be paid this week and and his glory. moment. Her hands are truly in the Hands some year-end bookkeeping tasks requir- A cardinal perches on the evergreen just of the One who stilled the waters. ing immediate attention. Next thing a flood outside the door. He taps the sidelight win- of unpleasant memories of my childhood dow curiously, and cranes his neck as if to If I rise on the wings of the dawn, pressed in – times when I disrespected my look into the house. I smile. It’s another if I settle on the far side of the sea, parents, betrayed a friend, told a nasty lie. reminder – I can face every new day, even even there your hand will guide me, (A long memory for intricate details isn’t a whole new year, without doubts, fear or your right hand will hold me fast. always a happy blessing.) Nothing con- regrets, because this is my Father’s world –Psalm 139:9-10 nected logically to anything else, but it all and he’s here. I’m sure of it! came slamming down on my blurry psyche. All I wanted was to make it stop. Heidi Vanderslikke is a freelance writer who Sara Pot lives on Thompson Ave. in St. I began to pray through Psalm 103. Bless lives with her husband on a farm in Mapleton Catharines, Ont. with her husband, four the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within Township, Ont. She enjoys the outdoors, ani- daughters and a golden doodle named Luna. me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O 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 JANUARY& Power s9, 2017 Everyday Christian PAGE 15 David Koyzis Cathy Smith Columns

Technically Speaking Getting Unstuck Derek Schuurman OnArlene being Van Hove ‘hospitably Reformed’

My October 10 column (Eph. 4:29). should not be understood to mean “weakly Intangible Things(“How can Christian uni- AnotherFlowers practice and that Thistles can lead to inhospi- Reformed.” Mark Noll, a respected evan- versities flourish?”) gen- tality is the overuse of Reformed jargon. gelical historian, wrote a book titled The Heidi Vander eratedSlikke letters of response Terms Curtlike enkaptic Gesch interlacing and sphere Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, which from two emeritus pres- sovereignty are important concepts, but can opens with the words, “The scandal of quires the whole church to take the whole idents of Reformed col- also be used as a sort of “Reformed shib- the evangelical mind is that there is not gospel to the whole world.” Reformed leges. One of the ideas debated was the boleth,”Wo ar wayds fr toom test if someone is “one much of an evangelical mind.” Reformed Christian scholarship provides some won- phraseCountry “hospitably Living Reformed.” This is a of us.”Wild Being Horses hospitably Reformed means scholarship has much to offer, and we need derful resources on how to bring the whole powerfulMeindert phrase Vander but Galien it seems to mean dif- speakingWarkentins winsomely and using clear, bib- our Reformed Christian institutions to re- gospel to the whole world including areas ferent things to different people. What does lical language when speaking with others main strong and vital, serving the wider like politics, the arts, business, technol- it mean to be “hospitably Reformed”? out of a sincere desire to widely share the church. I have had students, including a ogy and philosophy, to name just a few. The phrase suggests that there is a way treasures of our tradition. Indeed, we ought son of a Pentecostal minister, who have Reformed Christian scholarship has de- toPatchwork be “inhospitable” Word ands Reformed. I sus- to striveOur to dialogueWorld Tmoreoday outside our own expressed their appreciation for Reformed veloped useful tools for integrating faith pect this inhospitality might describe the Reformed circles. thinking. I have encountered this same in all areas of life. postureMeliss ofa K someuipers Reformed folks who, con- Overall,Bert Hielemawe must not forget the import- appreciation from teachers in places like But we have much to learn from our vinced they have the truth, will steamroll ance of humility. Confidence in Reformed Africa and Central America. At one confer- evangelical brothers and sisters too! The over others. In an interview with John thinking can lead to a type of triumphal- ence I heard a Southern Baptist seminary zeal of evangelicals to witness to their Piper entitled “Why Are Calvinists So ism if we are not careful. We don’t have student who read Creation Regained remark friends and neighbours and their openness Negative?”My Window Piper Seatmuses that the “intel- everythingThe Public figured Squar out, ande the Reformed how it “changed everything.” Moreover, to the work of the Holy Spirit are just some lectual rigour” of Calvinism can attract tradition has had its own embarrassing Reformed thinking has contributed much areas where we Reformed folk can learn. “certainMendelt kinds Hoekstra of minds,” people who are blind Harryspots. AntonidesIndeed, sin has a way of blind- to the Christian school movement in Perhaps that is why it is “together with all not “warm, fuzzy and tender” but tend to ing people regardless of how sound their Canada, not to mention institutions like the Lord’s holy people” that we can “grasp be argumentative. While I have met num- doctrines are. the Christian Labour Association and the how wide and long and high and deep is the erousChrist tender @ Calvinists, Cultur ewhen it comes to From the 11th Christian Farmers Federation. love of Christ” (Eph. 3:18). doctrinal purity, some of us can be a little An integratedProvince faith I have found that a comprehensive overzealous.Lloyd Rang It’s true that ideas matter, but The oppositeMarian Vpitfallan Ti lshould also be avoided: worldview shaped by a Reformed Christian we don’t need to “go to the stake” over being too meek about a Reformed Christian approach to Scripture resonates with evan- Derek Schuurman was a professor of comput- doctrinal minutiae. Regardless of our zeal, identity in an attempt to paper over theo- gelicals. I think this is so because Reformed er science at Redeemer until the department we all need to remember to speak what is logical differences. In fact, Reformed folks theology is biblical theology. The evangel- was closed last summer. He is currently ex- “goodToddlers for building to Tup,eens as fits the occasion, can alsoFrom be on the the receivingLab end of inhospi- ical Lausanne Movement includes these ploring new opportunities to be a “hospitably that it may give grace to those who hear” tality from others. “Hospitably Reformed” words by John Stott: “Evangelization re- Reformed” Christian teacher and scholar. Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom

percent of the total. I was told that the

SU MO TU WE TH FR Pentecostals are by far the largest denomina- Principalities SA Everyday Christian tion, boasting between 15 and 20 million & Powers members. The Baptists have around 8 mil- David Koyzis Brazil!Cathy Smith lion. The Presbyterians have only around 800 thousand. I have long been fascin- last March and continuing to the present. Nevertheless, and this is the third point, ated by Brazil, the fifth-lar- In late spring I received an invitation to the Reformational vision associated with Brazilian jazz. Another presented me with Technically gestSpeaking country in the world, speakGetting at a conference Unstuc sponsoredk by two Abraham Kuyper and his heirs is gaining a beautiful leather-bound Bíblia Sagrada – a Derek Schuurmannow boasting a population organizations,Arlene V anl’Abri Hove Brasil and Movimento ground dramatically across denomination- Portuguese-language Bible, from which I am of over 200 million. I love Mosaico. The title of the conference was al lines. In one of my addresses, I quoted trying to read a portion each day. the samba music of Antonio Ideolatría, whose overall theme explored Kuyper’s “every-square-inch” passage in And now I can easily say: Eu quero vol- Carlos (“Tom”) Jobim, the elegant clas- the relationship between political ideology Portuguese (“Não há um único centímetro tar! I want to go back! God is working sicalIntangible guitar music Things of Heitor Villa-Lobos and idolatry.Flowers I was and privileged Thistles to deliver two quadrado . . .”), eliciting an enthusiastic mightily among the Brazilian people to and the haunting performances of guitarist keynote addresses at this event, which took audience response. Not only are Baptists advance his kingdom, and I am honoured BadenHeidi Powell. Vander As Slikke a child I pored over a 1960 place Curtin the Gesc centralh Brazilian city of Goiânia, and Pentecostals increasingly onside of this and gratified that he has permitted my work National Geographic article about the new about three hours by car from Brasília. vision, but even Lutherans in the far south of to play even a modest role in this. My life- capital city of Brasília, marvelling at the the country, which received large numbers long fascination with Brazil has become a notionCountry of a planned Living metropolis in a youthful New WoKuyperrds fr omfans of European immigrants after the Second profound love for a truly beautiful people, and growing nation. ThreeWild things Horses struck me about my visit. First, World War, are reading Kuyper and Herman who have manifested God’s grace in their MeindertIn October Vander of last Galien year I finally realized BrazilW isarkentins a very large country. I had hoped Bavinck with appreciation. lives and communities, and are increasingly my dream of visiting this amazing coun- to touch base with more of my online ac- During my visit I fell in love with the shining the light of that grace to the rest of try, and it far exceeded my expectations. quaintances during my visit, but many told people of Brazil. I was overwhelmed by the the world. In 2014 my first book was published in me in advance that it was simply too far hospitality of my hosts and by their deep Deus abençoe o povo brasileiro! May PortuguesePatchwork translation Words by Edições Vida away Ourfor them World to attend. Today Canada’s territory affection for me and for my written work. God bless the Brazilian people! Nova (New Life Editions) under the title, may be larger, but Brazil’s is not far behind, I could not have imagined becoming so VisõesMeliss e aIlusões Kuipers Politicas. Its release co- exceededBert onlyHielema by Russia, China and the taken with an entire country in such a short David T. Koyzis is the author of Political incided with a hotly-contested presidential United States. time, but that is indeed what happened. A Visions and Illusions (2003) and We Answer election, and during that time I received a Second, while Brazil has the largest number of people gave me gifts, including a to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image large number of Facebook friendship re- Roman Catholic population in the world, compelling CD recording of Stênio Március, of God (2014). He teaches politics and quests from enthusiastic readers. I began to the evangelical protestant portion is grow- a Christian musician whose style can only humanities at Redeemer University. More learn the language, intensifying my efforts ing quickly and now constitutes some 22 be described as a sophisticated form of photos on page 20. PAGE 16 christian courier

Features

‘The Lord upholds faltering feet’: Life lessons from a Heritage Project conversation Christy Janssens Helen pauses for a moment and then off quick. And my parents, when they leaves the room to get the Blue Hymnal. came the second time to Canada, my dad I have never met Helen Bosch. I only know When she returns, she flips to hymn num- was mentioning that yet: that our neigh- her through the email messages we’ve ex- ber 300. bour’s kitchen had been bombed. And the changed over the past week. However, “The Lord upholds the faltering feet,” shrapnel lay by their boys in bed. And then even though we’ve never seen each other she reads from the book, “and makes the I told my dad that it was me who had had and we live half a country away, she weak securely stand.” the light on. There are these things that are wants to tell me her story for the Heritage The rest of the verse is just as powerful: always in your mind. Somewhere. It’s far Project. We arrange to sit down one Friday The burdened ones, bowed down with buried, but it comes up now and then.” The afternoon to meet over Skype. grief, tops of the white roses are visible behind Helen is 81 years old and I am 21. She Are helped by His most gracious hand. her. Memory can be a wise teacher. is from British Columbia and I am from The eyes of all upon Thee wait; Before we say good-bye, Helen leaves Ontario. When Helen picks up the Skype By Thee their wants are all supplied; me with one final verse, which has been call, I see her for the first time. She’s wear- Thy open hand is bountiful, the anchor of our entire conversation. It’s ing a red cardigan, which contrasts beauti- And every soul is satisfied. Bosch family in the Fall of 1967. Proverbs 3:5. fully with her short white hair. She’s sit- “Everybody’s experience is different,” Trust in the Lord with all your heart ting on a chair in her den with afternoon Helen says about grief. “After our daugh- Then, she tells me a story. and lean not on your own understanding. sunlight spilling over the room. Her blue ter passed away, the people who lost a In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he eyes are clear and friendly behind her child themselves were the most comfort- The things that linger will make your paths straight. glasses. I’m immediately at ease. ing. They would just say ‘how are you?’ “One night, I had just had the light on and It’s not in a lot of words. It’s just feeling.” I heard planes. My mom and dad had al- Christy Janssens is co- Halfway through the conversation, ways said ‘if you hear planes, put the light ordinating Christian Helen tells me that even though it has been off.’ So I heard planes, put the light off, but Courier’s unique Heritage 18 years since her daughter’s passing, an- there came a bomb in the kitchen of our Project. If you’d like to share your life story, or other one of her daughters recently brought neighbours. It was a big hole the next mor- volunteer to interview over flowers as a way of remembering. ning. And I never told my parents that I someone else, email Christy “Did you want to see them?” Helen was the one who had the light on and put it at [email protected]. asks. “Sure,” I say. “I’d love to see them.” She brings back the vase from the liv- ing room and holds them up to the Skype Voted No. 1 Diamond Winner • Christian Community camera. They are beautiful. “Some roses,” she says, turning the vase slightly and pointing at the different Helen smiles a lot. I shouldn’t let this flowers. “There’s baby’s breath with it. fool me into thinking she has an easy story, Some white roses and some red ones and Just knowing that we have a complete though. No one does. some carnations.” She sets them down on campus of housing and services at our Helen immigrated to Canada from the wooden table behind her chair. They sit “ Friesland in 1961 with her husband and there for the rest of our conversation like doorstep, is our peace of mind! children. They lived in Nova Scotia a symbol of beauty in hard places. I think J.N.D. Resident and Ontario before finding home in about what Helen has repeated a few times Abbotsford, B.C. “I found it very hard,” already: trust in the Lord. she says. “The first year I cried a lot.” We begin to talk about the war and what Since they had left most of their rela- it was like to grow up in that space. “I was tives back in Holland, the term “family” about five when the war started and I re- had to expand beyond bloodlines. “The member it very well,” Helen says. church people become your relatives,” Helen says. They came from Holland with five children and had three more in Canada. Helen says that each time she had a baby, they would send their other chil- dren to stay with church families.

Standing secure In 1998 her second youngest daughter passed away at the age of 34. It was a dif- ficult season. “These things are hard,” she says. “It was terribly hard. But the Lord is there. We don’t carry these things alone. There are actually a lot of people who lose children. Trust in the Lord. It took us some time, but you grow spiritually through Call Today and Discover Life is Better at Evergreen Terrace! these things.” “Was there a Bible verse or a passage that 275 Main Street E • Grimsby • 905-309-7888 • evergreenterrace.ca you’d think about during that time?” I ask. Gerald & Helen Bosch in Nov. 2008. January 9, 2017 page 17

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Obituaries Job Opportunities

Jean De Haan (Vander Kooi) Paulus Droppert Immediate Position: Bergum, Netherlands Woodstock, ON Surrounded by his family at West Lincoln Memorial July 18, 1929 November 30, 2016 Hospital in Grimsby on Monday, December 19, 2016, Part-time Counselor the Lord called home His child Paul, in his 92nd year. Burlington, Ontario (0-10 hours) For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 Beloved husband for 66 years of the late Johanna If you want the opportunity to utilize your (December 26, 2015). skills and passions for helping provide Beloved wife of Arie De Haan. Loving father of Elly Boerefyn (Martin), Leo Droppert hope and healing in the context of a soul-caring, professional, Christian commu- nity, this job just might be right for you. Established in 1990, Christian Counselling Loving Mother to: (Beatrice) and Paul Droppert (Diane) and father-in- Centre is a non-profit organization providing care for human souls. Our passion Willem (Elsie) De Haan Harry (t2004) (Donna) De Haan law of Piet Snieder (Linda). is to help others live deeply from their hearts and experience relational transfor- Gerald (Joyce) De Haan Albert J De Haan Cherished Opa of Tim Boerefyn (Davina), Jeff mation. Christian Counselling Centre provides Biblically- Based counselling and Joanne (Ken Cook) Jim (Jane) De Haan Boerefyn (Maria), Lisa Pacquin, Stephen Boerefyn support to individuals and faith communities. Christian Counselling Centre also Frieda (Dirk Dekker) Marcia (Mark Van Drunen) (Natalie), Carolyn Jeyaseelan (Elliott), Sarah provides various other opportunities for personal growth, deep encouragement Stout (Irvin), Jennifer Akingbade (Moses), Richard and Christian spiritual formation. For those wanting to work closely in a team set- Dear Oma of 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Glasbergen (Christine), Michelle Stein (Gary), ting, we are currently looking to expand our existing counseling staff. The Memorial Service was held on December 3, 2016 at Johanna Hayes (Andrew), Nicholas Snieder (Kari), Covenant CRC, Woodstock. Rev. J. Sinke officiating. Jason Droppert (Bethanne), Jeremy Droppert (Tara), All candidates must: Correspondence: Mr. Arie De Haan Tim Droppert (Laura), Joshua Droppert (Katie), ● Have a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Counseling & Guidance, Psychology 636-317 Canterbury St. Rachel Crookham (Paul), David Droppert (Tobi), or other behavioral science from an accredited university. Woodstock ON N4S 8X9 Bryan Droppert (Holly), Steven Droppert (Marley) ● Agree with the Statement of Faith of Christian Counselling Centre. and 44 great-grandchildren. ● Have a strong, growing faith in Jesus Christ. ● Be currently involved in a local Christian church community. Maarten Hendrik Van Harmelen Predeceased by his daughter Corrie Snieder and grandson-in-law Cody Pacquin. ● Demonstrate strong organizational skills (detail-oriented) age 77, after a brief illness, passed away ● Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Client Management Paul will also be sadly missed by his sister Tina peacefully on November 15, 2016 in software. Borfboom, nieces Liddy, Corine, Ingrid and their Oshawa, Ontario with family by his side. families. The ideal candidate will also have: Beloved husband of Wilma for 55 years. ● Experience, education or training in a Biblical counseling model. The funeral service was held at the Smithville ● Three or more years of counseling experience. Loving Dad of: Christian Reformed Church on December 23 with ● Specialty in counselling Sexual Assault victims and younger children Peter (Rachel) of Halifax, Nova Scotia interment at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery. ● Ability to work with men’s issues Bert (Glenda) of Oshawa, Ontario. If desired, memorial donations to the charity of your If you are interested in applying for this position, please email the following Loving Opa to Erin, Marissa, Annalies, choice would be appreciated by the family and can information to: [email protected] Andrew, Christopher and Ashleigh. be made through Merritt Funeral Home 1– Cover letter and Resume, 2–Your personal Statement of Faith Dear brother of Egbert (Nel) of Lelystad, the Netherlands. (905) 957-7031 or merritt-fh.com. We appreciate all applicants’ interest; however, only those selected for an inter- view will be contacted. Correspondence address: Wilma Van Harmelen It is with peace, yet sadness, 408 Simcoe St. N, Oshawa ON L1G 4T6 that we announce the passing of Trinity CRC, Edmonton, Alberta is growing and seeking a Psalm 121 Alice (Altje) Vander Spek (Balkema). co-pastor Alice was born December 22, 1928 to complement our current pastor and youth director in Biblical in Veendam, Grongingen, The Netherlands preaching, visionary leadership, and pastoral care in our increas- and was received by our Lord, December 9, 2016. ingly diverse and vibrant congregation. Albert Tamming Beloved wife of Case Vander Spek for over 63 years. Direct inquiries to [email protected]. born in Beilen Netherlands, Beloved mother of: Cathy (Peter) Kralt First CRC in St. Thomas, Ontario December 28, 1937, is seeking to fill a 16-20 hour per week position for a was promoted to glory on Neil (Janet) Vander Spek December 17, 2016 in his 78th year. Connie (Peter) Bos Worship Coordinator. Elizabeth Halliday (the late Dr. Bruce Halliday) The fifth son of John and Grace Marion (Bob) Dieleman This position requires music proficiency and an ability to plan a variety of worship Tamming, and faithful husband of Janet Vander Spek styles in a multi-generational setting within the Christian Reformed perspective of Martha (nee Linker). David (Joyce) Vander Spek Blended Worship. Devoted father of: Bonnie (Chris Desjardins), John A. (Wendy), Beloved grandmother of 25 grandchildren and Interested candidates can visit our website at www.firstcrcstthomas.com/contact- Joanne, Gary (Rose) and David (Arlene). 15 great-grandchildren. us/positions.cfm for a more detailed job description. Loving Opa of Jessica (James), Katie-Beth(Brad), Annalise, Mark, A memorial Service celebrating Alice’s life was held A cover letter and resume can be emailed to [email protected] Daniel, Jason (Maria), Spencer, Lauren. Mackenzie and Nick. on December 15, 2016 with Pastor Doug VandeKamp or by regular mail to 320 Elm Street, St. Thomas ON N5R 1J7. Great-grandfather of Cooper and Cecelia. leading the service. Predeceased by grandson Timothy. I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? A loving uncle to many nephews and nieces. Brother to John(t), My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Enjoying CC? Ralph, Martin, Jim, Johan, Gerard and their spouses. Upon Psalm 121:1,2 Don't keep it to yourself! Start a discussion group MARANATHA marriage to Martha in 1959 he was warmly welcomed by her Correspondence: Case Vander Spek with friends or family parents, Bonne and Johanna, and her siblings Dinie, Klaas, 103 - 900 Chieftain St. using articles in CC Helen, their spouses and the rest of the Linker clan. Woodstock ON N4T 0B7 to engage in our GARDENS The memorial service was held December 21, 2016 at culture. Join con- Your funds will be invested in Christian Westmount Christian Reformed Church in Strathroy. versation on CC's Aging in Place Christian Community. Reformed Church and Christian school Donations may be made to Shalom Manor or a Christian Facebook. Encourage building projects in Canada. school of your choice. others to receive CC. Maranatha Gardens Correspondence: Martha Tamming Rates to March 31 2017. Help us grow! Investment Opportunity 109 -275 Main St E. We pay 2.4% on CRC deposits. Located on New Street in Burlington Grimsby ON L3M 5N8 Earn approx. 3% on RRSP/RRIF/TFSA Classified ads and other advertisements can be beside Maranatha Homes. Offering Write: Christian Reformed Extension Fund emailed to: promissory notes at 4%. Vacation [email protected]. 45 Harriet St, Toronto ON M4L 2G1 For further information: Holiday accomodation in Holland Email: [email protected] For more information on is- Hank Gelderman • 905-546-6736 with vehicle rentals and tours. Call: 416-461-1207 Fax: 416-465-6367 sue dates, deadlines,rates and how to subscribe, see www.chestnutlane.nl [email protected] “...serving Christian Reformed churches christiancourier.ca and Christian schools since 1970" John Glasbergen • 289-260-1739 [email protected] PAGE 18 christian courier

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Features ‘Lives of the Saints’ series Saint Maria of the heavens

E.R. Underbrink

Saint Maria, my mentor and friend, was undressing in front of about 300 people. There was a general air of frustration, dis- placement and perhaps a peculiar sense Annie Middelburg (L) and Sores Duman, a student living at the Humanitas Nursing Home, that time and self were both melting away. share a light moment. This air spread out like an odorless gas from the industrial vents, like someone How adding youth to a Dutch old age was reading Kafka quietly – almost, but not quite, out of sound register. home is improving life for all The security guards with their casual The going away and the coming back, as wielding of power. the Scriptures say. Known, and loved. Peter Ford I was in the happiness business. The legions of strangers, who somehow Heaven is without strangers, or borders, “Maybe I can’t fix your bad knee, but I made us feel trapped in our own, stuffy or suspicion. It is like stepping outside the Deventer, Netherlands (CSM) – It’s not can make your living environment warm, heads. doors of the last airport, and finding car every day that someone living in a retire- funny and surprising, a place you’d want The exchanged papers. after car lined up, each driver calling you ment home break-dances his way to a TV to be,” she adds. The averted eye. by your true name: “Stay with me before game-show prize by hopping upside-down At the same time, the state was cutting The bored voices of petty tyrants shout- the wedding! We have plenty of room! on his right hand 75 times in less than two back on student grants. So Dr. Sijpkes of- ing orders nobody can hear. Come, drive with me to our home, sister! minutes. fered rent free rooms in her care home Airports are hell. Let me grab your bags, brother! It’s so But Sores Duman, who managed that feat to local students, in return for 30 hours Ah, but you may think, “at least I get good that you’re coming home!” earlier this month, is not your everyday re- a month of being a “good neighbour,” out eventually, leave the airport. And Saint Maria and I finished our conversa- tirement home resident. He is a 27-year-old brightening the place up. chances are it’ll be off someplace pleasant, tion with the apologetic brusqueness that student, one of six living at the Humanitas Not without opposition from her board. or home.” This is true, and perhaps that clocks and schedules and deadlines dic- nursing home in this provincial Dutch town “To them, students meant sex, drugs and very point is what makes hell so hellish. tate. As she left, that certain hollowness who are blowing a blast of fresh air through rock ’n’ roll,” Sijpkes recalls. “How could To have this vessel so made for the heav- returned, like some gas had made the air a traditionally sleepy institution. I think of letting them live among the vul- ens, and yet caught in an eternity of de- was too thick for me to get a good breath “Old people can feel cut off from soci- nerable elderly?” lays, of lurching up only to crash on the in. I could not know what Saint Maria ety,” explains Mr. Duman, his bushy black As long as the students keep the sex, runway; of that constant, Sisyphean cycle thought about such small exchanged pleas- hair springing out from under a beanie. drugs and rock ’n’ roll behind the closed of expectations unfulfilled, of hopes lifted antries as we re-looped our belts, put on “We bring the outside world inside. We doors of their rooms, they are obeying and dashed, again and again, forever. More our shoes, and checked our clocks nerv- bring some joy and excitement.” the only house rule: Don’t be a nuisance. still, an eternity of increasingly angry, em- ously. It seemed probable, almost certain, And the older residents seem to love it. And since the first student moved in four barrassed, unfriendly eyes. Those eyes, that our discourse had amounted to one “Without them it would be boring here,” years ago, they have discovered that being or perhaps the hint of what they could be, more annoyance on an already tedious and says Annie Middelburg, an 85-year-old a “good neighbour” means a lot more than given an eternity, were perhaps why I was substantive pile, one more embarrassment doing some knitting by a picture window just helping serve high tea each afternoon. so glad to catch sight of Saint Maria on amidst a general place of public vulner- one recent autumn afternoon. “It’s a lot It means being visible and ready to the other side of the security checkpoint. ability and loss of control. happier than before.” spend some time with the older residents, We met with bare feet, the contents of our I could find Hope, though, that brother Humanitas is pioneering a move- whether it is spent watching a soccer match lives somewhat haphazardly spilled on of Love. A Hope that is never satisfied, but ment catching on around the world, from or painting an old lady’s nails. “It’s social- merciful benches. A good thing too, for never dashed; the kind of true hope that Cleveland to Helsinki: intergenerational izing, saying hello, stopping for a chat and in that brief meeting of friends in a place makes faith. Perhaps the holiness of that living. Studies have shown that social iso- you find you both have a smile,” says Mr. made surreal by its monolithic materiality, brief, bare-foot exchange was not lost on lation and loneliness among the elderly Stoffer. I discovered a glimpse of heaven, of how her, that I was not alone in watching Jesus are killers; contact with younger people is it ought to be. walk between us, and between many still in good for their health. An idea spreading line. Likely not. Then still I look to heav- And contact with older people is good Sijpkes says the Humanitas experiment in Jesus between us en, where all holiness is cherished: known, for the students too. “We get lessons in intergenerational living has drawn “crazy” And through that little glimpse of heaven and loved. There in heaven, where one day life that we wouldn’t get in normal student levels of international interest, with vis- in a friend’s harried but hearty smile, I I will meet Saint Maria in something like housing,” says Patrick Stoffer, a young man itors and queries from all over the world. began seeing a few other things around me a passenger pickup lane. We will turn and in his final year of facility management And a number of similar projects are al- I’d missed. A couple embracing cheek-to- speak a language of laughter, saying “wel- studies. “Living here gives you a different ready underway elsewhere. cheek, mixing tears and laughs. come brother. Welcome, sister. Let’s go to perspective; it has definitely changed me Harry TerBraak, a 90-year-old former Children filled with playful curiosity the wedding feast.” for the better.” hairdresser, says he feels younger because over the moving tracks, as their parents he is treated that way – he doesn’t blink watched and re-learned to cherish things Evan Underbrink is an Good neighbours at being greeted with a fist bump, for ex- often taken for granted. instructor of Theology Once upon a time, growing up with your ample, nor look puzzled when Stoffer ad- The amiable joke between strangers. and Church History at the grandparents around was the norm in dresses him as “dude.” The planes fueled and ready. New Testament School of Europe and the United States. In many “With the students we’re among Each person I saw had something Theology in Greensboro, parts of Africa and Asia, it still is. equals,” he says. “They do not treat us as if to make the place bearable: they were North Carolina, as well For Gea Sijpkes, Humanitas direc- we were old, and that’s really important.” known, and they were loved. A daughter as a freelance writer and poet. He holds a tor, the intergenerational approach was That’s something that Duman has learn- calls her mother to confirm the airport Master’s in Theological Studies from Duke a solution to two problems. On the one ed over the nine months he has lived at the pickup, and breaks a long spell of home- Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in hand, she says, cost-cutting reforms of the nursing home. sick hearts. A husband turns to tell his wife Theology from Whitworth University. Netherlands’ care homes “made me re- some admittedly terrible joke. Eyes roll. Earlier installments in his Lives of the Saints think what business I was in and I decided Laughter. Farewell and On my way texts. series can be found at christiancourier.ca. PAGE 20 christian courier

News Brazil welcomes Koyzis and Kuyper Long-time CC columnist David Koyzis was recently in- day account for some 22 percent of the population. That vited to the Brazilian city of Goiânia to give the keynote this proportionate increase has occurred during a period address at a Christian conference sponsored by l’Abri when the population of the country as a whole more than Brasil and Movimento Mosaico. While he was there, doubled means that in absolute terms the numbers of be- Koyzis says, he “fell in love with the people of Brazil!” lievers have increased nearly twelve-fold. By any meas- You can read more about his experience on page 15. ure this is extraordinary growth and strong evidence that A traditionally Roman Catholic country, Brazil’s evan- the Holy Spirit is at work in Brazil. gelical population numbered only around five percent as Reformed Christianity is definitely playing a role recently as 1970. By contrast, evangelical Christians to- within the larger evangelical landscape. The Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil is the oldest of the Reformed churches, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Its membership numbers just over 800,000. A much smaller The Brazilian Congress buildings house the Senate and group, the Reformed Churches in Brazil, is a sister church Chamber of Deputies in the capital city of Brasília. to the Canadian Reformed Churches, consisting of 21 congregations located mostly in the tropical north of the country.

“The labels [left and right] are not useful. They are much Stopping at a roadside cafeteria along the highway between Young people are enthusiastic for the reformational vision more of a barrier to communication.” Koyzis' second key- Brasília and Goiânia. Enjoying a pamonha, savoury or sweet of Christ's redemptive lordship over the whole of life. note address. cornmeal with porridge-like consistency boiled in corn husks.