ECBC Year in Review 2008
Michael Brown runs for the Green Party.
On this, the 2008th year of our Lord, we bid farewell to another wondeful year God has worked at ECBC. In general news around the world, 2008 was a year of change and overcoming the adversity and hardship in the political (Obama/Harper), economic (economic slow-down/bailouts), athletic (Olympic/Paralympic) and environmental fields (Northeast Passage open/Canadian white Christmas). In the capital region, Edmonton held a a global heavy oil conference, was warmer than the North Pole on December 14th, started construction of the first office tower since the Manulife Centre, saw the UofA & ETS become 100, had bottle deposits double, and Michael Brown running for the Alberta Green Party. At ECBC, it was a similar story of change and challenges as timekeepers at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich added a 'leap second' to 2008 to make it the longest year since 1992. Here are the top ten highlights of the ECBC English congregation in 2008.
10. Media Conversions
ECBC went through two major media conversions this year as responsibilities were passed down to other administrators. The weekly bulletin was transferred over to Agnes Leung to become Happenings, which has reduced our ecologic footprint by limiting most publications to half page, as well as regular online updates.
The administrative responsibility of the English website was also passed down to Lincoln Ho in April and the site in turn had a facelift highlighting special events and stories to promote more online activity. The site has since added a multimedia section to share community events and will see member testimonies in the New Year.
9. David Arndt departs
David Arndt left ECBC to move to Vancouver to study at Regent College for a Master of Christian Studies in the New Testament. He was the creator of the English website and known for his knowledgebase in theology and bioinfomatics. He was also a personality in many Ecbico motion picture productions. More on this story.
Outreach vision team.
8. Outreach Vision Team
On Sunday, June 8, the ECBC outreach vision team met with the English congregation to touch bases on the future vision of the English congregation outreach goals. After prayer and a short comment on the great commission by pastor Tawa, the team consisting of Michael Brown, Anita Liao, Grace Law (not present), and Melissa Duong facilitated a discussion on the strengths and things to work on as a reflection of past outreach opportunities. The committee in part helped to organise ECBCs participation in Project Porchlight, and Hope Mission Holiday Dinner. More on the Outreach Vision Team.
7. Coffeemate Prayer Group
Steven Duong took the leadership of promoting and shepherding congregation members to take full advantage of the 'coffeemate' time for prayer as one of the manifest functions for the event. English worship was even bumped up to 9:15AM to make time for the congregation to meet with other congregations in prayer and gathering in the name of the Holy Spirit.
6. Small groups
This year witnessed some new small groups flourish mostly as Faith Fellowship restructured events to focus more on brethern relationships and spiritual growth. The small groups sprouted at a time when the English congregation experienced and is still in a void without an official pastor and allowed new leaders to help keep unity and growth in the congregation. Join a small group.
Dr. Joseph Hama.
5. Dr. Hama
After months of an administrative rollercoaster in searching, waiting, anticipating, and more waiting, the congregation finally received word from Dr. Joseph Hama that due to his circumstances, he was not able to take pastoral leadership of the English congregation. The position remained vacant after Reverend Tawa Anderson's departure as a few candidates have applied and the pastoral search committee continues to look for a pastor for ECBC. So far during the pastoral void, we've had guest speakers Paul Johnson, Jerry Shepherd, Shawn Idell, and Greg Idell present sermons and teach Sunday School. More on this story.
Aayo got married.
4. Weddings and engagements
It was a time of celebration as three couples made some big decisions in their lives. Two interracial marriages took place with Aaron & Yolanda Bonkowski on May 3rd, and Michael & Lily Brown on July 19th. Kelvin Fong & Stella Fung, as well as Mike Chen were also engaged in 2008. Story of Michael & Lily's Wedding.
3. Rae Mission 3
For the third time, ECBC sent a team to Rae to share the Gospel and help with essential community projects of the Tlicho community. It was a joint effort of ECBC as a whole as the team of 14 included members from the English, Cantonese, and Children congregations. More on this story.
2. Baptisms and Commitments
Three English congregation members were baptized in 2008. Joshua Brown and Isaac Tang got dunked on June 8th, and Austen Chan took the dive on December 21. During VBS this year, volunteer teacher Mandy Hong made her commitment to Jesus Christ. Congratulations and may God bless them on their walk with Christ and may God allow them to use their gifts and talents for ministry in the Lord.
Geoff Ing performs at Benefit Concert.
1. The Andersons Depart for Kentucky
There's no bigger story in 2008 that can top the departure of the Andersons at ECBC. The Rev made a decision to continue studies in Kentucky and ECBC made her official goodbye to the Tawa, Vanessa, Mataeo, Alethea, and Keilani Anderson on July 13th. The night before, the English congregation held an unforgettable surprise 'benefit' concert for Tawa. While the Andersons continue to post their weekly updates on the Anderson Forum, we still miss you all and do return for a visit when you come back to Edmonton!
Interact >>> Did we miss a story? Share your 2008 memories and events. - Forum Thread
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