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Philpott Inside :: Mar 2004
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Fri, 26 Mar 2004
Mar 26, 2004, 14:38
[top/staff_editorials]
Putting INSIDE on Your Site
If you like the articles on this site, and want to help spread the word about Philpott Church, insert the following code on your own web site:
It will look like this:
~Jason
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Wed, 24 Mar 2004
Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news/deaths]
Thankyou to our Church Family at Philpott Memorial.
Penny Hughes 28 Oct 1947 to 3 Mar 2004
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. We have really felt your love through all the cards and letters that we have received. This has been a difficult time for us as we watched our mom fight her final battle. At the same time we have been blessed with God’s love and peace. Mom joined our Lord the morning of 3 March 2004. Her steadfast love and faith in the
Lord has been a source of comfort for all. Thank you again for all your prayers and love.
Brian Hughes & Bev Naylor(Daughter)
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Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news/thanks]
From Angel Tree
Dear Angel Tree Sponsor:
I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your involvement
in the Prison Fellowship Canada Angel Tree Program this past Christmas. You were part of a team of over 1,000 volunteers who provided gifts for more than 900 prisoners’ children across Canada (from Vancouver Island, B.C. in the West, to Nunavut in the North, and P.E.I. in the East).
Your generosity at this special time of year will be remembered for a long time, not only by the children, but also by the incarcerated parents and the caregivers.
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Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news/world]
Lane leaves for Kazakhstan
Lane will make his annual pilgrimage to Kazakhstan, May 7th to 23rd. He teaches theology at a Bible institute (CALTC) for church planters and evangelists in the former capital, Almaty, each year. The school was formed in 1995 as one of the first efforts by evangelicals to provide biblical training for the new churches that began to blossom with the fall of the Soviet Union. Most of the 200 graduates have completed the one-year program and returned to their cities and villages across Central Asia. They have planted churches, pastured established churches and pursued community evangelism among the Kazaks, Uzbeks, Tajiks, and other ethnic peoples in the region.
The most recent development is the implementation of two language tracks. Russian has been the language of instruction at CALTC since its inception. During the past several years, many have enrolled who speak Kazak primarily. Consequently, a Kazak-language track is now provided for those whose Russian skills are limited.
The Gospel is taking root once again in Central Asia. Although the earliest disciples carried the message there in the second and third centuries, the rising tide of Islam removed most of the visible church. Since the Gospel was introduced again to the Kazaks in 1991, a handful of Christians has multiplied into tens of thousands.
Philpott Church was the first large supporter of the Bible school. Our former pastor, Lew Worrad, was the first principal of the school and encouraged many to pray for its success. Lane continues on as one of the original faculty members.
The cost of Lane’s travel and living expenses has been covered by volunteer donations to PMC. If you would like to participate in prayer, Lane will provide you a prayer sheet of the students. If you would like to help cover his expenses, mark your gift, “Kazakhstan Project.”
~Lane Fusilier
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Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/projects/vinestreet]
The Vine
“I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit for you can do nothing without me” (John 15:5 TEV).
For many the name “The Vine” seems quite logical for a building with the address 78 Vine Street. But this former printing business, purchased by the church two years ago, is not just a white building in need of a paint job. This building is the home of several Philpott ministries the Lord is using to make an impact on our community for Him. Those involved in these ministries fully recognize to stay close to Christ to “bear fruit”.
Since purchasing the building various improvements have been made, including installing ceramic tiles and carpets, and painting of the interior walls. Currently the Youth, College & Career and International Ministries are using the building. To make the building more functional and to accommodate a larger number of people it is now proposed to renovate the main floor.
Several options were examined to achieve a more functional layout for ministry and provide for two additional washrooms. Sketch plans showing the proposed renovations and a cost estimate have been prepared. Except for some minor additions in the basement, all renovations pertain to the main floor. They include a vestibule, a meeting room on the east side, two washrooms on the south side, and an office on the west side (see sketch).
The total cost is estimated at $25,000 that will cover some work to be contracted out and other work to be carried out by volunteers. The renovations will be carried out in several phases allowing sufficient time to obtain a building permit and the needed funds.
On March 16, 2004 the Board of Elders approved the proposed renovation plan and a total of $10,000 for the initial phase; additional funds need to be raised for the completion of the project.
The initial phase consists of carrying out minor improvements for security and functionality, obtaining the required City approvals, framing, rough-in plumbing and wiring. The final phase is completing the washrooms and various rooms.
After the completion of the renovations “The Vine” could accommodate maximum 100 people under the City building code. The building should be viewed as complementary to the church building. Since “The Vine” is not barrier-free, any ministries requiring barrier-free access would be accommodated in the church building. A separate phase to make “The Vine” barrier-free could be implemented later at an additional cost. The renovations currently proposed would account for such future phase where cost effective.
Thanks are due to the Task Force members and others in preparing the renovation proposal and estimate. Volunteers have already completed several minor improvements. Also, thanks to those who donated AV equipment and a stove.
~John van der Mark
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Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/projects/esl]
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Hamilton is the third highest immigrant/refugee receiving city in Canada. Many of those newcomers recognize that the ability of speaking, reading and writing the English language is a key in building up a new life in Canada. English as a Second Language (ESL) is being taught extensively in Hamilton, thanks to Mohawk College, the Boards of Education and various social agencies. All together they provide an invaluable service to the newcomers to our City. So why, is the church involved in teaching ESL?
Reaching out to immigrants and refugees has been in the tradition and history of Philpott. For example, the church ran a successful ESL program in the early 1990’s. In 2003 the International Ministry Task Force identified ESL classes as a prime outreach to immigrants and refugees. These ESL classes are intended to be complementary to the institutional ESL classes; they focus on conversational English covering everyday topics. Ideally, there is a volunteer teacher for every one or two students.
Since January ESL classes have been held for immigrants on Monday mornings in the Chapel and on Tuesday evenings in “The Vine”. ESL classes for students have been conducted in “The Vine” on Monday evenings.
The total number of ESL students has now grown to almost 30. And they come from all over the world: China, Philippines, Korea, Venezuela, Bulgaria, Angola, etc. Everyone is welcome, irrespective of race, creed, religion or nationality. There is no Bible teaching unless a participant asks specifically for it after the lessons. Some want to know why we are doing the program and what Philpott is all about. This gives us an opportunity to share our faith. A few ESL students have now shown an interest in attending the church or in the Alpha course.
The relationship building among students and staff, and the atmosphere during the classes have been quite remarkable. Students want answers to their questions that are important to them; questions such as “Where and when can I play soccer?” or “Where can I meet people who have the same occupation as I have?” Or the question of a woman, most of the time alone with her two-year old child, who wants to meet other moms, who can teach her conversational English. Teachers at agencies do not seem to have the time or do not seem to know the answers.
A key element of the program is having good (volunteer) teachers. And what a good group it is, drawn from our own church attendees. Some have become so excited they want to run an all-year round program!
Training teachers is another important aspect of a successful ESL program. In November 2003 we held an informative introductory “how-to” seminar led by Brian Seim (and Marion Chang) from SIM. Subsequently, Ben Hartford from our own congregation held an excellent workshop in February 2004. Ben is one of our missionaries (Navigators) and a trained ESL teacher with many years of experience.
There are several ways you can help the ESL ministry:
· Pray regularly for the ministry;
· Talk to, get acquainted and befriend newcomers;
· Volunteer as an ESL teacher (no professional teaching experience required, but a gift for teaching and lots of patience are required)
John van der Mark
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Mar 24, 2004, 14:38
[top/staff_editorials]
Giving Many Ways
Philpott Church, a Community of Grace, functions on the gifts of its people. We have no endowment and receive no government funds. Members and adherents donate regularly to fund its local ministries, international missions and its staff. Those consistent donations allow the leaders to plan ministries each year.
The congregation also puts forward special needs that are not covered by regular donations. This spring, the board has agreed to encourage the congregation to consider giving to address special projects:
- The board has agreed to continue our renovation of the building at 78 Vine Street, “The Vine,” to expand its usefulness. Adding washrooms to the first floor, enclosing another room on that floor, providing a vestibule, etc. will cost about $25,000. About $10,000 will be supplied through our Capital Fund, the remaining $15,000 must come from donations. The work will go forward as the money is available.
- David Kang, our pastoral intern from South Korea, completes his volunteer service as an ESL organizer in mid-April. We would like to say “thank you” by providing a love offering, to be received on April 25th.
- Scott Orr, our volunteer Youth Ministry intern, will serve through the school year. We would like to say “thank you” to Scott by providing a love offering, to be received May 16th.
- Lane travels again to Kazakhstan in May to teach at Central Asia Leadership Training Centre. His travel and living expenses normally total about $3500.
- The Easter Offering is an opportunity to catch up on our regular offerings. We would not want to enter the summer months far behind on our budgeted offerings. Easter this year is April 11th. Special envelopes will be available on April 4th and April 11th.
As you give, remember that “fund-shifting” does not actually help! If you do not presently support the ministries of Philpott Church, that’s the place to begin, with undesignated giving.
Please do your special project giving above and beyond your normal donations. The board does not expect that everyone will be able to support all of these, but they do want the congregation to be fully aware of these opportunities, and to have each of us pray about which ones we might support.
~Lane Fusilier
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Thu, 04 Mar 2004
Mar 04, 2004, 14:38
[top/reviews/movies]
A Master Storyteller Presents a Crucified Christ
by Jon Walker
Hollywood is notorious for typecasting, but the truth is we all typecast in some form or another, consciously or unconsciously putting people into little boxes and then insisting they stay there.
And perhaps that is why, when I heard Mel Gibson was making a film about the crucifixion, I immediately formed an image of Mad Max on the Via Dolorosa. My standard joke became, “Danny Glover and Mel Gibson arrive at the end of the movie to rescue Jesus from the Cross.”
Yet, artists grow and mature - which is why Woody Allen, who once made one-liner comedies, and Clint Eastwood, who once starred in spaghetti westerns, are now respected Academy Award-winning directors.
For that matter, so is Gibson, with an Oscar for Braveheart.
All that to say: The Passion of the Christ reveals Gibson as a maturing filmmaker in his prime as a storyteller, and the movie makes it nearly impossible to keep him typecast as the star of the Mad Max/Lethal Weapon-styled movies.
The Passion of the Christ is both beautiful and brutal, capturing an authentic human spirit that is often missing in biblical movies, those where everyone tends to act stiflingly serious and talk in pious this-is-all-so-important tones. Gibson’s “Passion” is full of real people who laugh and cry and sweat and - yes, they bleed.
The essence of a great poem is that it gets you to look at the familiar in a different way, and in that sense, this film is poetic. Just the fact that it is presented in the original languages allows you to see a familiar story and hear familiar words but from an entirely different angle (there are English subtitles). This is a film layered with artistry and historic metaphor, and if you look closely, I think you’ll see Gibson’s homage to some of the great master paintings of Christ’s Passion.
The poetic artistry starts with the opening frames, set in the Garden of Gethsemane, where you immediately realize this is no tepid tale, one traditionally told with a blue-eyed, blonde, surfer-dude Jesus sprinkling love and faith across the cinematic landscape as if it were pixie-dust tossed from Tinkerbell’s wand. (Think good thoughts and you, too, can fly!)
Gibson’s Jesus has dark, ethnic features (probably closer to the way Jesus actually looked), and he’s so distraught as he begs the Father to release him from the suffering set before him that spit and snot drip from his face. A few moments later, you get a sense of the overwhelming abandonment Jesus must have felt when he returned to his disciples only to find them sleeping, and then he is tempted to break with the Father by an embodiment of Evil that re-appears throughout the movie. The temptations are not just about saving himself; they attempt to fan into flames a sense of despair.
The film’s pacing is taut and the tension simmers, but never boils over because of some well-crafted flashbacks that deepen the film’s emotional core. These flashbacks also explain some of the key relationships and critical events that led to the final twelve hours of Christ’s life.
Of particular note is a scene with Jesus, lean and calloused, working as a carpenter, engrossed, not in theology, but in carefully crafting a table. Evidently, one can be the Son of God and still find purpose and enjoyment in the ordinary tasks of life - a biblical message we often ignore.
This scene not only gives a rare glimpse of Jesus as a carpenter, but as it plays out, you see the playful interaction between Mary and Jesus as a mother and son who enjoy each other’s company. The scene reflects Gibson’s gift with humor, and it pulled an audible laugh from the audience.
Mary, portrayed by Maia Morgenstern, is shown as a real woman, full of faith but gripped by grief. No saintly icon, she struggles under the weight of what she is witnessing. The most memorable moment in the movie for me was a later scene, after the scourging of Jesus, where Mary got down on her hands and knees and began to mop up the blood with a cloth. Having watched my own wife care for two dead children, I thought the scene rang absolutely true in revealing a woman in grief and shock.
Jim Caviezel plays Jesus. He met Gibson when the director was developing a film on surfing (go figure!), and Caviezel came in to discuss a part. In the midst of the conversation, Caviezel said he wanted to suggest another film that would be far more important, and then the actor reached into his pocket and pulled out a pamphlet about Christ crucified.
What Caviezel didn’t know is that Gibson had been researching and thinking through the “Passion” movie for over a decade, and it was in that moment Gibson says he knew he was supposed to make the “Passion.”
Caviezel as Christ is clearly modeled after the Shroud of Turin, an ancient burial cloth inexplicably imprinted with the image of a crucified man, similar to a modern photographic negative. There are some who believe this is the burial shroud of Jesus and the image provides a supernatural picture of Christ. In some scenes, Caviezel mirrors the shroud’s image, including the bruising and blood droplets.
Related to the Shroud, the film is naturally informed by a Catholic text (Gibson is a Catholic believer) and so some of the scenes dramatize the extra-biblical explanations for ancient holy relics, or the extra-biblical stories of what may have happened as Christ walked the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.
Regardless of your own beliefs, the scenes serve the storyteller well, and provide the necessary emotional depth to move this movie beyond a grueling glimpse into Roman cruelty.
Another way Gibson keeps you directly involved in the story is through the use of startling point-of-view shots based on the “eyes” of different characters. For instance, you’re upside down as Jesus is carried, head hanging upside down, from the scourging, and you’re on the ground looking at the feet of Jesus through the eyes of the woman saved from a stoning.
“Passion” is a tightly shot film, built largely around close-ups and medium frames that keep the images personal and within reach; don’t expect an abundance of Cecil B. De Mille-styled panoramics. Rather, Gibson keeps the story focused on the messy, little details that reveal what happened on the streets of ancient Jerusalem during this one dawn and day.
For instance, I like the fact that Peter’s denials of Christ are impulsive and quick, near hysterical denials made in the grip of fear, as opposed to the typical telling where the whole world comes to a stop to hear each denial. Unlike us, these men didn’t know the end of the story, and it’s likely they responded with real fear and confusion.
This kind of authenticity is refreshing in a biblical play, and that’s as good a transition as any into the violence of the film. Gibson says he wanted to shock people, forcing them to see just how horrific the Passion must have been, and I think he succeeds. By the end of the film, it’s doubtful you’d even want to see Osama Bin Laden put through the torture Jesus willfully receives.
But the violence is never gratuitous. This is a much more serious and aesthetic film than something like Mad Max or Lethal Weapon. The violence is there because it is a story about the bloody, violent, cruel death of a man. Frankly, I have trouble watching something like E.R. because I dislike the gore, yet, there was only one moment in the “Passion” when I had to look away, and that was during a particularly brutal moment when the Romans whipped Jesus.
While we’re on this subject, the movie is rated “R” because of the violence. Gibson, noting the graphic violence, says, “I don’t think kids younger than 13 should see it.” I would agree with this assessment.
Is Gibson’s “Passion” a perfect film? Of course not, what film would be? I thought the opening minute or so was too dark and a baby-carrying embodiment of Evil during the scourging scenes confused some of the people around me (we were watching a rough cut).
Yet, one way I gauge a good story is whether it leaves me wanting more and whether it makes me feel like jumping into the world of the characters. Certainly at the crucifixion, you want nothing more than to get away from the oppressive and horrendous cruelty, but the final 20 seconds of the film, a creative take on the Resurrection, leaves you wanting to walk out of the tomb with Jesus and see the joy of his disciples.
But most of all, I longed to join this joy-filled Jesus in his carpentry shop, becoming a friend as well as a disciple.
If you push past all the hype and all the controversy, and even all the plans of using the film for evangelism, I think you’ll find The Passion of the Christ is a great work of art, the product of a gifted storyteller striving toward a master work.
There was a time when the arts often spoke about God, and it wasn’t shocking to have a major artist create a work based on biblical themes. In fact, it was often through funding from the church that great artists were able to create their masterworks. Perhaps Gibson’s gritty, bloody film will usher in a new age, where the church returns to supporting artistic expression as a means of telling the old, old story.
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Wed, 03 Mar 2004
Mar 03, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news/deaths]
Home With Our Father
Penny Hughes went home to be with the Lord on 2 March 2004. She passed away in her sleep and Brian was in the room with her at the time. Here is Brian’s address for those who would like to send a card.
23 Corrigan Court,
Charlottetown, PEI,
C1A 8N5.
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Mon, 01 Mar 2004
Mar 01, 2004, 14:38
[top/family_news/thanks]
Dear Philpott Memorial Church
We would like to thank you very much for allowing us to use the chapel, kitchen and gym area Friday night and Saturday morning for our Men’s breakfast. We had 15-20 guys attend our night, our sports, board games, music, excellent fun and fellowship. Thank you so very much once again. Holding a sleepover like this at someone’s house just isn’t the same and we are grateful for your support in this way.
God bless.
Men’s Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ
McMaster University
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Mar 01, 2004, 14:38
[top/reviews/movies]
Four Reasons to See the ‘Passion’
Over the next few weeks, you’re going to be hearing a lot about Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. No doubt any movie release from the Academy-award winning superstar-director would draw the public’s interest, but this film is about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by the star of Mad Max and Lethal Weapon and that has many people wondering just what it’s going to be like.
Even before the final script was approved, some groups - who’d never actually seen the film - were expressing concern over its portrayal of Jews, and there were Christians concerned about the biblical accuracy of a Hollywood film.
Having seen the film, I believe these fears are unfounded, and you will want to see this movie.
Here are four reasons why:
First, this movie is a magnificent work of art; it may very well be Gibson’s masterpiece. From the opening frames, you can see that Gibson has taken great care to craft a movie with historical detail and authentic artistry. It’s an intimate and personal film that keeps you close to the story. In other words, this isn’t a film full of panoramic Cecil B. De Mille crowd scenes. This is a film that gets in your face, or rather, puts you into the face of Jesus as He wrestles with - but then submits to - the final steps of His mission on earth.
“Passion” is not your average, sometimes cheesy, Bible movie with stilted, King James dialogue between beautiful people following a Mr. Rogers-mystical Jesus. This Jesus is real with sweat and calloused hands, and blood and bruises from the beatings. The entire film is spoken in Aramaic and Latin (with subtitles), giving you a chance to hear familiar conversations in the language in which they were originally spoken.
You cannot be emotionally passive while watching this film; it grabs you by the gut from the very first image and does not let you go even after the credits roll (and so note, the movie is too intense for anyone under 13, and for that reason it is appropriately rated ‘R’ .
Second, this movie will be a cultural event that will have everyone talking - similar to what happened when the mini-series ROOTS was first broadcast or when PBS aired Ken Burn’s documentary on the Civil War. This movie will dominate discussions at work, in restaurants, and at church. Your neighbors will be asking about it, and your kids will be wondering about it.
Third, this movie destroys all the sterile stereotypes of a meek and mild Jesus - those myths and caricatures created by the enemies AND the friends of Christ. After seeing this film, you will no longer be able to cling to the fantasy that Jesus was a milquetoast Messiah.
Fourth, this movie powerfully tells the story of the defining moment in world history. In the Western world, we’ve dated everything according to these last few hours of Christ’s life. We time the sequence of history with BC and AD, recognizing that the death of Christ forged a permanent line through the days of Man.
Even if you choose not to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you cannot deny that His life was the most significant one in human history. Why would you want to miss a film that shows you why He is considered so significant?
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Mar 01, 2004, 14:38
[top]
Festival Of Preaching
John N. Gladstone Festival of Preaching
Convenor: Michael P. Knowles, B.A., M.Div., Th.D.
Established in 1991, the Festival of Preaching is an annual series of lectures and worship experiences devoted to the art and gift of pulpit ministry. Those attending the conference enjoy probing scholarly lectures and participate in creative and diverse worship services. Each Festival includes a number of lectures by the featured speaker, and worship services are led by an invited worship leader. The Festival is normally held in March of each year. Due to the number of those who wish to attend each year, the Festival is usually held off-campus at one of the larger local churches.
In 1992, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto gave a substantial gift to McMaster Divinity College for the endowment of the Festival. The event subsequently was named in honour of the Rev. John N. Gladstone, pastor for 28 years of Yorkminster Park and an alumnus of McMaster University. In 1993 and 1996, Dr. Gladstone was the principal worship leader. With its focus on Christian proclamation, the purpose of the Gladstone Festival is to offer students, faculty, alumni, and local church leaders illuminating and provocative biblical, theological, and pastoral insights for ministry.
Members of the faculty of the Divinity College and others have contributed to the leadership of various events. Each year the Centre sponsors a one-day workshop to explore spiritual, theoretical and practical issues related to religion and aging. This conference is usually held in January of each year. The workshop includes contributions by those involved in medical care of the elderly, as well as theological contributions.
The Gladstone Festival of Preaching has in a very short time become a national and ecumenical event. The distinguished list of Festival preachers evidences this fact:
1992 - William H. Willimon, Duke University: “Preaching and Evangelism in Today’s World”
1993 - David Buttrick, Vanderbilt University: “Preaching towards God’s Future”
1994 - Frederick Swann and Charles Adams: “The Function of Music in Christian Worship” and “The Contribution of Black Preaching to the Christian Tradition”
1995 - Anthony Campolo, Eastern College: “Preaching to a Youth Culture”
1996 - John R.W. Stott: “A Call to Faithfulness”: “Poetry and the Preacher”
1997 - Thomas G. Long, Princeton Theological Seminary: “Taking the Listener Seriously in Preaching”
1998 - Edwina Hunter, Union Theological Seminary:
1999 - Paul Scott Wilson, Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology: “Theological Use of the Bible in Preaching”
2000 - Eugene Lowry, Saint Paul School of Theology: “A New Homiletic for a New Millennium”
2001 - Martin E. Marty, University of Chicago Divinity School: “Preaching In Three Modes”
2002 - Stephen Farris, Knox College, Toronto School of Theology: “Preaching for a Church in Conflict”
Please contact the Special Events Coordinator at 905-525-9140 ext. 24401 for further information about the 2004 Gladstone Festival.
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