Canada news briefs: Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land

Get set for giant millennium bash

Thousands of worshippers from every Christian denomination are expected to show up for a giant celebration of Jesus and the millennium at Sask Place in Saskatoon. Billed as “SONDay 2000, Celebrating Christ in love and hope,” the event will take place Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000. It’s an invitation to all those who follow Jesus Christ to gather at Sask Place for a day of celebration and special activities. The event has been in the planning stages for more than a year. There will be a morning worship service featuring the internationally renowned speaker and writer, Philip Yancey. There will also be a youth worship service as well as an evening service with writer and World Vision Canada vice- president, Dr. Don Posterski as the guest speaker. Some churches in the region have decided to cancel their regular Sunday morning services in favour of this joint celebration. Saskatchewan Anglican

Youth conference tackles violence

Participants at a recent conference on youth violence that was held at Mt. Royal College in Calgary listened in silence as Rev. Dale Lang discussed the power of the Lord’s grace to transform revenge into forgiveness and peace. Mr. Lang’s son was killed in Taber, Alta., in a school shooting earlier this year. Mr. Lang was the keynote speaker at Choosing Hope Over Fear: Youth, Violence and Spiritual Connections. Anglican Archdeacon Barry Foster opened the event with a moment of reflection and prayer for those who have lost loved ones to youth violence. His opening prayer invited delegates to think about the suffering that has an impact on everyone, regardless of their denomination. The event was organized by the Ecumenical Task Force for the Prevention of Family Violence, as part of the Fire in the Rose initiative. The conference featured workshops on topics ranging from youth gangs to abuse and healing. A panel discussion was also held on marginalized youth. Sower