This week was particularly interesting because Calgary Church is at the beginning of launching a number of separate social justice initiatives. By launch I mean we're exploring ways to engage with local and international social injustices through creating new initiatives or joining existing ones. On Tuesday we were able to catch the every-other month film from the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival. The films were OK, but it was the conversation with 9 other film goers after that made the night memorable. The following day during a Calgary Church gathering we connected with another group who are equally vibrant for social action; partnerships and action are on the way.
As part of our many resources we wanted to make available a Calgary social justice web page that highlights the various organizations in this city dealing with issues relevant at home. We did this because sometimes it's tough to identify needs close to home and to find the organizations involved in setting 'wrongs right'.
These meet ups and dialogues accented three significant social injustices that stuck with me this week from the news of the world. I want to share them with you and point out my thoughts on each. Perhaps it will get your heart turning to enact a response.... Continue reading »
Calgary Church has added a category in our blog called, 'Justice'. Simply put, we will fill this category with issues of social justice, be it church related or not. You will also find a resource on local justice organizations to help individuals and groups formulate an appropriate response to a growing issue.
Welcome to March! A lot of things are happening this month with Calgary Church so here is a brief rundown. Any questions email us!
The theme for this month's Converge worship service will center around the season of Lent. We are in the Easter season so the first week in April will be our Easter themed Converge. There are rumours that a new Calgary Church gathering will launch in the South for Easter, stay tuned for details.
Today is Lent, it marks the start of a 40 day countdown to Easter (not including the Sundays). Some Christian traditions pay more attention to this day than other. Some closely follow a traditional calendar of celebration.
Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans tend to follow seasons and celebrations more closely than their low church brothers and sisters, including the ever popular evangelicals. In fact, what you observe is the churches who try the hardest to be relevant to society around them, tend to ignore church seasons and festivals unless they are major ones like Easter and Christmas. Continue reading »
I wrote about the first two which were: the urge for justice, and then the appreciation of beauty and culture. This edition will explore the issue of spirituality.
Admittedly, I took the hiatus from completing this series because I myself couldn't articulate coherently the aspects of spirituality. Sure, I could do it theologically, and I could even go on about my experience, but I felt there was something missing from my explanation that would be necessary.
Much more has been written on spirituality than what's included in this article, but even now sometimes 'spirituality' exceeds definition. And that's just the thing with spirituality: you know there's something there but you can't quite put your finger on it. Continue reading »
Part 2 of a podcast series on the movie Avatar from my friend Damien at South Edmonton Alliance church. These podcasts are unlike our other ones which aren't sermons. So have a listen and beat the Avatar blues [pun intended].
I saw it for its novelty. Some saw it for its hope. That's probably taking it too far, but it raises an important question: what has Avatar provided that's missing in your life? Here's Part 1 of 2 of a sermon series from my friend Damien at South Edmonton Alliance church. Have a listen and beat the blues [pun intended].
When part of your ethos as a community is devoted to helping others, it's good to celebrate your accomplishments. This isn't to boast to gain recognition, but a chance to say thanks to all those who participated in redeeming though situations.
With this in mind here are three different ways Calgary Church was connected in around our city and around the globe. Continue reading »
Welcome to February! Here are the updates on the gatherings with Calgary Church and Co.
Tonight will be our Converge worship service with the theme on suffering. We thought it would be fitting to talk about this topic given the recent events in Haiti. You can GIVE to the relief effort if you haven't yet. Just email us to learn how you can send your gift to Haiti through our sponsor World Vision.
The following post contains mature subject matter and was written by guest blogger Jenny Hong. This article is our response to raise awareness on the subject of human trafficking and Human Trafficking Awareness Day that launched for the first time January 11th, 2010. Calgary Church is formulating some interesting responses to this subject and related slavery issues, stay tuned for more info and ways you can connect in.
Taking a moment for Ping Pong Girls
This past Saturday I was at a birthday party, where I had the misfortune to bear witness to conversational dribble on a most terrible topic. I didn’t really know a lot of people at this gathering, and was making my best attempt to mingle when I found myself amidst a few friends chatting about their recent travels and associated misdemeanors – all of whom had made recent trips to Thailand. Continue reading »
