Alberta News

The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada is part of one of the largest ecumenical efforts in Canada to help families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We are partnering with the Calgary Chapter of KAIROS Canada and the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) to provide families in Calgary with affordable housing by raising money for Acadia Place.

This initiative: “A Place to Call Home – Acadia Place” was announced in Calgary on March 2.

10 denominations representing a total of 130 churches in Calgary, including CBWC churches, are joining with KAIROS Calgary and the CHF to raise $1.5 million to reduce the mortgage on Acadia Place, a 58-unit housing complex purchased by the CHF. By cutting the mortgage in half and reducing the financing costs, the CHF will be able to significantly reduce monthly rents on a sustainable basis, making them more affordable for the longterm to families in need.

“We have two goals,” said Larry Pearce, who represents the CBWC at KAIROS Calgary in his role (that he shares with Lynn) as the CBWC’s Coordinators of Refugees and Uprooted Peoples Issues. “We want to pay down the mortgage to ensure that rents are affordable in the long term, and we want to engage the local churches so they get involved in direct volunteer work,” such as providing support to families or practical help like minor renovations, building a children’s playground or other community-building tasks.

Alberta News

“We have so much to offer the weary world, to bring beauty to those who do not see beauty in their lives,” says Canadian Baptist artist Donna Marie Orr from Clive Baptist Church in Clive, Alberta.

Since she first painted a picture of a kitten sitting in a teacup when she was just 5 years old, Donna Marie has been painting whatever inspires her for the past 45 years.

“I try about anything my heart of inspiration is drawn to. I often have ideas pop up while in worship at church. I see pictures when I am singing songs! Many ideas come while meditating on scripture. The great outdoors move me with incredible ideas and pictures…I have spent years studying florals, fauna, ferns, bugs, bees, frogs, trees, skies, animals, people, and how God has stirred it all together as His lovely world.”

Donna Marie seems comfortable painting just about anything, but the natural world of prairieskies, streams and mountains, birds and people get a lot of her attention. “Being able to see withmy paint brush is how I would express it.”

Alberta News

January 31st - February 2nd, 2011

The Annual Alberta Regional Pastors Retreat is a highlight I have personally prioritized for most of twenty years. Banff is great, but this retreat for me has been more intimate. It is a place of mutual friendships, personal renewal, prayer, reflection, challenge, and idea bouncing. Every year this becomes intentionally and coincidentally a primary event for Alberta CBWC pastors for building lasting collegial connections as we hear stories together, experience the personal transparency of comrades and laugh over humorous perspectives unique to CBWC ministers. This year you will receive a FREE book which will be the basis for the retreat. The book can be read in 35 minutes by a fast reader, but it will take a bit longer for those drinking in the contents. Based on the book we will discuss the inner motivations of pastors. Expect to be challenged and surprised by what God brings to our shared experience. Don’t miss it!

Register Now:

• Download the Event Brochure Here
• Download the Registration Form Here
• Register Online Here

Alberta News

By Dot Hilsabeck and Tom Khuu

It was in the fall of 1979 when a little country church in Alberta known as Clive Baptist was busily preparing for the arrival of a group of “Boat People.” This was one of many terrified groups of refugees who were fleeing communist Vietnam by the thousands.

Everyone was excited! We had scrubbed, painted, remodelled, furnished, added bedding and curtains, dishes and food as we prepared a home for a family of 14 people to live. Suddenly, upon their arrival at the airport, 14 “Boat People” became beautiful human beings with faces and names like Chad and Colleen, Tyler and Minerva. They were all part of the Khuu family: Grandpa Kim Khuu, his three sons Chad, Tyler and Charlie, Chad’s wife Colleen, Tyler’s wife Minerva, 6 grandchildren and 2 nephews.