Emerging generation targeted
Joe Couto
Special to ChristianWeek
What’s a “conversation” with Canadians aged 30 to 45—a lost generation for most congregations in Canada—worth to the United Church of Canada (UCC)? The price tag for an ambitious media campaign will cost Canada’s largest Protestant denomination a hefty $6-8 million during the next several years.
"People are coming for real food
[when they seek out a church],
not junk food."
Emerging Spirits is seeking to reach a demographic group who often label religion irrelevant in their lives, says Keith Howard.
“We are open to conversation,” says Howard, the campaign’s executive director. “We want to identify people who are interested and willing to have a relationship with the United Church and say to them that they can come in and have conversations [with us] in openness.” read more>
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Salvation Army falls victim
to fraud
TORONTO, ON—In the wake of a multimillion-dollar fraud allegedly committed against The Salvation Army in Canada by a former employee, the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) says having accountability measures in place doesn’t just provide protection for churches and charities, but for their employees as well.
The CCCC is a national agency of Christian charities that monitors organizational integrity and financial accountability. Vice-president of member services Heather Card says it’s prudent for churches and charities to take a critical look at their internal controls related to accounting practices. read more>
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Harper urged to delay
marriage vote
CHEMAINUS, BC—Prime Minister Stephen Harper may want to have his promised free vote on whether to revisit the definition of marriage “sooner rather than later,” but a growing chorus of traditional marriage advocates would prefer that he postpone it for as long as possible.
Former Vancouver Island Conservative MP Reed Elley says they need time to plan and execute a common strategy if they are to have any realistic hope of reversing the law Parliament passed last year legalizing same-sex marriage. read more>
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Rash of anti-semitic incidents hit Montreal
MONTREAL, QC—B’nai Brith, a Jewish advocacy group, is reporting a recent surge of hate activity in Montreal’s Snowdon district.
Graffiti, including swastikas, were spray painted at seven separate locations including several synagogues. Two of the sites also included the internet address of a Russian national socialist website that featured a picture of Adolph Hitler and excerpts of his autobiography.
B’nai Brith spokesperson Leah Berger says they have appreciated the quick response of the local authorities not only in removing the offensive graffiti from public spaces, but also in providing assistance to property owners in removing it from private property.
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Supreme Court denies Kempling a hearing
QUESNEL, BC—School teacher Chris Kempling has failed for the third and last time to overturn a verdict by the B.C. College of Teachers (BCCT) in 2002 that found him guilty of “unbecoming” conduct for writing letters and essays critical of the ministry of education’s positive depiction of homosexuality.
On January 19, the Supreme Court of Canada announced it had decided not to hear his case. His appeal had previously been rejected by both the B.C. Supreme Court in 2004 and the B.C. Court of Appeal in 2005.
Charity resourece helps churches lighten work load
NT-LAURENT, QC—Many charities—including churches—find themselves swamped by the host of administrative, financial and legal requirements required by various government bodies.
Two organizations are helping to change that. The Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) and the Conseil Québécois des Oeuvres de Charité (CQOC) are working together to lighten the administrative load to leave church leaders free to focus on ministry.
As part of their growing collaboration to assist the Church in Quebec, the two organizations recently joined forces to host a training session for about 40 church and ministry administrators.
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