SPPC played host to Raven Baroque earlier this month. Our music director, Larry, is a member of the ensemble and dressed the part. That's him in the white wig and hugging a cello.

 

There were about 55 people in attendance, one lady came from Edmonton and another drove down from Nanaimo.

The ensemble has been a fixture in Victoria for a number of years, most visibly on the July 1 holiday when they present a free concert at the reservoir on Mt. Tolmie.

As well as playing instrumental music made famous by the likes of J.S. Bach and George Frederick Handel, the group includes a singer.

It was a treat for music lovers on the peninsula to come to a concert close to home. Sometimes the drive to and from the city is just too much. Part of our outreach program includes providing a venue for groups like Raven Baroque who would like to perform on the peninsula.

If you missed the Raven Baroque at SPPC, or you want to hear them again, their summer schedule includes Nootka Court on Aug. 3, Mt. Tolmie Reservoir on Aug 5, Victoria Public Library on Aug. 8, the Sidney Bandshell on Aug. 9, Christ Church Cathedral lawn August 10 and Willows Beach on Aug. 11.

For more details, check here.

A Bible and a Hockey Stick

I had a chuckle last week when Tore said he wanted to stop by the church to pick up a Bible and a hockey stick.  the pairing seemed incongruous, but on further consideration, I thought "a Bible and a hockey stick" was a great metaphor for life at SPPC.
 The Bible is our foundation, our model for life.  We study it in class on Wednesdays, read from it in worship on Sundays, and use its precepts and examples in the choices we make every day.  

   The hockey stick represents our work outside of Sunday mornings.  We seek to serve our community, whether with a hockey stick or a service at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, or sponsorship of a baseball team, or a collection of warm clothing for the needy.

   Jesus' ministry included study and interpretation of The Law, debate with the pharisees and discussion with his disciples on God's plan for man's salvation.  It also included turning water into wine so that wedding guests could celebrate, feeding the five thousand who were hungry, healing the lame man and making breakfast for Peter, James and John and other disciples.
   
   A hockey stick and a Bible.  Good example of Christian living