Stroke Recovery branch hosting an Open House Nova Scotia Kitchen Party
The Cowichan branch of the Stroke Recovery Association of B.C. is holding their First Annual Open House, Friday, Dec. 7 in Duncan.
The invitation welcomes everyone to “come and experience a Nova Scotia Kitchen Party” where east meets west with good friends, good music and good food.
The event runs from 1-3 p.m. at Sands Funeral Community Room, 187 Trunk Rd.
“Help us celebrate our latest program success — a grant from Cowichan Valley Regional District for our Peer Support Program,” said organizers.
There will be live music, highland dancers with instructor Shelley Cassidy School of Dance, a chance to try the Newfoundland Ugly Stick (an instrument), viewing works from the art after stroke program and punch, chowder and shortbread to wash it all down.
For more information, call 250-597-3400.
Minister to talk about recent pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine
Recently returned from a pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel, local United Church minister, Keith Simmonds, will be sharing his memories and impressions at Duncan United Church on Dec. 9, at 2 p.m.
Bringing photographs and images of holy sites and the people crowding them, he will also fulfill the commission given to him by folk working for peace and justice.
“I was one among thousands,” he said, “people from all parts of the world, from the three Abrahamic faiths, were there. Everyone seeking a closer connection with the soul of Creation, in the birthplace of their tradition.”
While touring the land and seeing the sites identified as those of biblical story was an important part of the journey for Simmonds, so too was meeting with and hearing the stories of people living there today.
“I learned so much,” he said. “The struggle for peace and justice is as alive and vibrant today as it was in biblical times. The empire wears different clothes, but continues to impose its will, and there is as much suffering and hope as there was in Jesus’s day.”
Hope in the midst of struggle, perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds are two of the main take-aways for the minister from Duncan.
“I was struck in the revelation that the stories of Bethlehem and Nazareth have much to offer all of us. Ancient and current, we are all affected by and implicated in, the journey towards peace and reconciliation.”
The talk will be repeated in the new year, for those unable to attend.
Shawnigan Alliance Church presents a live nativity show on Dec. 15
Shawnigan Alliance Church is hosting a live nativity presentation on Dec. 15.
The church has different scripts for the show, which they rotate through. This year they are doing their third script “The Journey of the Wise”, said Deborah Gammer, the church’s office manager.
The fun of a live nativity presentation is that it features actors and live animals. At Shawnigan Alliance it’s all done outdoors, so dress for the weather.
The two shows begin at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Afterwards, inside the church, there will be homemade cookies, hot chocolate and carol singing. Kids will be able to make a craft to take home.
It takes about 100 volunteers to bring the production to the public, said Gammer.