Paddy Ducklow Contributing Writer MANY homes are not what God intended. Instead of a place where love, acceptance and forgive- ness are the norm, violence and abusive hurt are everyday experiences. Family abuse has no exclusions. Educational achievement, financial income, class, race, or reli- gious faith seem to make lit- tle difference. Our society has long knowri about domestic abuse, but.our fear, embar- . | rassment, and financial and © parenting concerns smoth- : ered the abuse with a blanket ° Throughout the centuries the C Christian: faith has flour- ished. cted ia less. Christians carried : Off babies left to die of expo- first century garbage d raised them to faith. ° : hrist. In tate fourth, : Kart Ve ancgut, and Evelyn. Waugh, has “loving memo- ‘rles of the (West Vancouver brary across all of its incar-.. ations and building cam-' paigns.”. He says readin, there next Tuesday will appy.memories.”- ; He-wasn’r always ex con- ppropripre teachi itdren: bint ites rock worship ‘>Starbucks’ or Beans Teaching & talking in a ‘makes sense’ kind century, history records that the Antioch church alone eared daily for more than 3,000 widows, sick and strangers. In the fifth centu- cy, churches transformed their sanctuaries into hospices —— these evolved into the modern hospitals of today. In our lifetime, the Christian church is working towards national and racial reconcilia- tion in war-torn countries throughout the world, all the while feeding the hungry, empowering the disadvan- taged, carrying out medical relief for the ill, and giving voice to the unverbalized -- needs of the world’s abused. The churches of the North Shore follow in this history and stand in support of a strengthened family where no child or adult should face the fear of vio- lence. Many families of our North Shore world experi- _ence hure every day — losing loved ones, struggling to make peace with a broken :.. vinced he'd end’ up ‘back where he started — so what kept him here?. - “Countless ' elementary . school field trips to the a salmon hatcheries showed me that the salmon always swims back up ‘the stream,” he sa * wryly.“In my 20s Lthought like a small ‘salute to those... Vancouver might be a provin- - ’¢ial backwater kind: of place. I” . always thoug! ght New. York or 281 Cst Zard Sire, Nr Vocoer past, battling divorce, and facing violent abuse from covenant partners and par- ents. November is “Together Against Violence” month across the North Shore. Social organizations, govern- ments and churches are pray- ing, advocating and teaching for the end to violence against minorities, women and especially children. The Christian church stands in partnership with all of - redeemed society as we seck to end racism, exploitation, and alf forms of relational fury. We know that peace (the absence of warfare and the fullness of grace) is ulti- mately the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the reason that God came to man — to end our violent hatred and ignerance of God and to put us in harmony with one another. Pray for peace. Identify with the bro- ken. Celebrate Christ’s com- ing for the least and lost of our North Shore world. ‘world’s to lives)... “After all of my travels, what became apparent wasn’t so much that Vancouver is nicer or better than other: cities — it was that; * - Vancouver has such a power- ‘ful hold on much of the: world’s imagination. With WEST: VANCOUVER RESBYTERIAN: CHURCH 2893 Marine Dr., West Vz pirwe (60886-0472 » ora nloBmsoctecs : At Capilano Christian Community we use our com- mitment to Together Against Violence to pledae the tol- lowing: “With all our-energy and authority, we stand opposed to violence and par- ticularly violence towards women; children; the unborn persen (whether others con- sider her a person or not); racial and religious minori- ties; those who are economi- cally disadvantaged; the elderly; the physically, emo- tionally, and cognitively dis- abled; ‘those gender disor- dered or homosexual: the imprisoned; as well as people, groups and nations that we might consider to be “wrong” from our point of view and understanding. We aftirm that Jesus Christ came first for the feast, fast, lost, little and nearly dead of our ~ world. He came not to judge but to offer freedom in Himself. We resolve as a” church community and as individuals to be that power imagination "Landon would be far better. - But they’re not, really. - - They're great: laces, but not Europeans, you can say_ : you're from just anywhere ~ else in North America and they'll stifle a yawn; mention - ‘Vancouver, and their. eyes: lightup.. “Ir’s the most naturally endowed city, its citizens are peaceful and creative and = there is the berths sense of living in a p! a destiny.” in eur world today and forev- er. Capilano Christian Community is a sponsoring, organization with Together Against Vielence. On Saturday, Nov. 18, Mike Nichols (a pastor and pastoral counsellor at Capilano Christian Community) will - be hosting a free day-long sexual prevention seminar: Plan to Protect. Also, Paddy Ducklow ( psychologist and pastor at Capilano” . Community) | will be lading ee a pvo-day premarital counsel- lor training conference for couple leaders and counsel- lors (at North Shore Abiance, Nov. 24-25). This counsel- lor/leader training program supports a non-violent and mutually empowering approach tu Christian mar- riage. Please phone 980- *. 8997 for information on either program. — Paddy Ducklow is pastor + and psvchologist at Capila: Christian ‘Communi = (Fu Full children’s program offered in both services) ; lynn Yaley Full ull Goopel Chu Church, 1160 E, 28th St. BL. Ph. 280-0307. - Pastoral Stats Owen Scots len Rand Harel are, Mena Sanderson .-. Yalley Church le made up of ordinary people « _ sbvose Ines hie boon touched by the person oF Jsoue Christ ST. STEPHEN'S ANGLICAN 885 - 22nd Street, West Vancouver The Rev. Keith Gilbert - Rector 800 arn” Tradicéonal Communion {0:00am Mattins ‘ a *(-0¢em Sunday School : Nursery available * ‘COMM “10:60 am. aes H 1) Mr. re rh ‘marriage ‘counsellor and an‘artist’/ musician “3No religious rush ‘Careful “attention to kids. Come early for.a seat Fun & free "3No ties-no 0 grouches Dice cream for kids: ~ — — 926-4381 ° |HILLSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH 870 Lynn Valley Road, North Van]. 10:30am - Sanday Morning Worship oe Nursery & Children's mscoage 12 |. Pastoral Team: John Hurdy, John Cuddeford - Ken a and Kin em 985-1122 :