FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Manning Centre Builds Dictator Democracy
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Manning Centre Builds Dictator Democracy
Christians Expelled from Manning Convention Due to Religious Beliefs
Street Church Ministries is deeply concerned about the roll Christians will play in Canada's democracy, in the future, if the Manning Centre has its way. The ministry was recently expelled from being an exhibitor at the Centre's 2010 convention on the basis of their religious beliefs. Artur Pawlowski, the lead pastor of Street Church Ministries stated that he was appalled and shocked at the boldfaced arrogance and prejudice that the Manning Centre for Building Democracy showed by telling him that a political convention was no place for a church.
“What kind of a democracy is the Manning Centre building if they are telling churches, and their leaders, that they are not allowed to have a table at their convention, to address moral and social issues that our Country is facing today, since political events are 'not the proper forum for a church'? Is not democracy allowing people to share their divergent viewpoints on matters of policy making, that will ultimately effect the future of Canada, no matter what background you are from? I understood that in our country our Charter of Rights grants all people equality and that we are even guaranteed freedom of religion and expression. Surely an organization as influential as the Manning Centre with its stated goal of shaping the future of democracy in Canada, should adhere to the spirit of our nation's Charter.” charged Pawlowski.
In the spring of last year, Street Church Ministries was an exhibitor at the Manning Convention in Ottawa. This year Street Church received invitations to both attend the event and to once again be an exhibitor at the 2010 convention. On November 11th, 2009, Mr. Pawlowski pre-paid his exhibitor package using the sign-up form on the Manning Centre website, looking forward to a second year at the event. On November 20th, 2009 his purchase was refunded without explanation. After phone calls with the Manning Centre it was revealed that the Manning Centre, now, does not feel that a “political event is the proper forum for a church”. Pawlowski proceeded to call different contacts at the Manning Centre only to be ultimately told by Nicholas Gafuik the Managing Director of the Centre that it was none of his business why he was refused a table and that the matter was considered closed.
The issue was further complicated by the fact that Concerned Christians Canada, a Christian political lobby group, was also refused exhibitor status when it applied for a table shortly after hearing from Street Church that they were expelled, based on their religious beliefs.
“When I heard that a church was rejected as an exhibitor after being allowed the previous year to run a table at the event, due to their religious beliefs, I wanted to see if they would reject CCC since we are also a Christian organization, or if their issue was just against Street Church. I was actually shocked that when I applied to have a table, that my payment was refunded shortly thereafter and that our exhibitor status was also rejected. When I called to find out the reason why, they refused to give me a valid answer but merely told me that 'my friend had already applied and that he was already told no and that the matter was closed'. I find this response bizarre since I filled in the form for CCC not for Street Church. What an absurd way to deal with things. Christians should, like every other citizen, have the right to speak on issues facing the future of their nation and they most certainly should not be denied a table on the basis of their religious beliefs. It is a violation of our Charter protected freedoms and an insult to Christians across our nation,” stated Jim Blake National Chairman of Concerned Christians Canada.
Concerned Christians Canada and Street Church have spoken with the chairman of the board of directors of the Centre and have made several attempts to contact Preston Manning himself by phone, e-mail and registered letter to try to clear this matter up privately.
“I tried to deal with this behind closed doors, using all measures possible, but they wouldn't have it. They have have forced me to expose the hypocrisy of an organization that states that it is building a democracy for all when in fact they are dictating who is in and who is out. I have a personal question to Mr. Manning, 'What kind of democracy are you building? Obviously, not the kind that I would want my children to grow up under, and I pray to God that you would not have your way.”
Street Church has made their letter to Manning public, now that the Manning Centre has refused to change their stance. It can be read on their website at http://www.streetchurch.ca/manning-letter. For more information contact Artur Pawlowski of Street Church Ministries 403-607-4434.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 22:49
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - City Left to Challenge Street Preacher Alone
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
City Left to Challenge Street Preacher Alone
Province Chooses Not to Appeal Judge's Decision
In December 2009, a provincial court judge, Judge A. A. Fradsham, ruled in his 91 page decision, that the City, to any reasonable observer, abused their power over Street Church Ministries, and its lead pastor Artur Pawlowski. He also ruled that certain municipal and provincial laws were of "no force or effect" due to the fact that they infringed on Mr. Pawlowski's charter rights. In response to this decision Calgary City solicitor Paul Tolley retorted that the City believes Judge Fradsham, in his provincial court judgement, released earlier in December, had "both errors in fact and errors in law." Following this statement the City applied for and were granted an appeal, after missing the appeal deadline.
"We are disappointed with the legal department of the City of Calgary, they are not just pointedly stating that they should be able to trample on the rights of Calgary's citizens, but they have also implied that Judge Fradsham, generally considered a very thorough and competent judge, is in fact unaware of the law and negligent in his duties. That's a very bold and disrespectful statement for a lawyer to make," commented Mr. Pawlowski.
Counsel for Street Church, Michael Bates, notes that the second Constitutional trial will look somewhat different from the first, "The proceedings have changed somewhat following Judge Fradsham’s December 7, 2009 ruling in the case against Art Pawlowski. Following that ruling, the Province of Alberta decided not to appeal but instead to accept the Court’s findings. The Provincial Crown has also withdrawn its charges that were scheduled for trial on March 8, 2010. The City of Calgary is now alone in its prosecution of the Street Church. In addition to charges under one of the same provisions ruled unconstitutional by Judge Fradsham (using an amplification system in a park), Street Church also faces charges for providing people with free food in a park and for attracting a crowd by giving away free food in a park, as well as a number of other offences that were not part of the first trial."
"We are grateful to the province for seeing reason in this matter. We hope that the province will take the same approach in similar situations in the future, recognizing that we are not wishing to break the law, but rather that we are committed to exercising our Charter protected freedoms, even if it means having to challenge unconstitutional bylaws in the process. We also wish that the City would follow the Province's example," stated Artur Pawlowski of Street Church Ministries.
Calgary's City Administrators have attempted other freedom suppressing tactics in the recent past by attempting to bring a new bylaw before City Council that would effectively squash the right to protest at Calgary's City hall with the threat of being fined with up to 42 different infractions under the proposed bylaw. Fortunately, the Community & Protective Services Committee, headed up by Alderman Rick McIver, had more common sense than the law department and sent the crew packing, telling them not to bother bringing such a law before the committee again.
"We find it absurd that the City administrators continue to use these kinds of tactics, in view of the fact that they received a clear message from Judge Fradsham that they needed to be mindful of the rights of Calgarians in the formation and application of bylaws, and that they need to ensure that they do not abuse their power over its' citizens," said Mr. Pawlowski.
On March 8, the City is hauling Street Church before another judge, this time on charges of "illegally gathering a crowd", and on "giving away free goods and services". Street Church Ministries has invited the media and all Calgary citizens, focused on preserving freedom for all, to attend the upcoming trial which will be held at the Calgary Courthouse. Street Church will be holding a prayer and song meeting at 8:45 am on the steps outside the courts. All are welcome to come and participate. For more information contact Artur Pawlowski of Street Church Ministries 403-607-4434.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 06:09
Insight with Paul Arthur - Street Church and CCC
Freedom of Speech with Art Pawlowski [www.StreetChurch.ca] The controversial pastor of Calgary's Street Church, Art Pawlowski joins us today along with Jim Blake, leader of Concerned Christians Canada. A 6 day trial recently wrapped up in Alberta, which pitted the City of Calgary against Street Church in a debate over the right to use loudspeakers to preach to the downtown homeless in public parks. Were Street Church's rights violated or was this a case of Christians being too aggressive? Your thoughts on either side are welcome! www.StreetChurch.ca www.ConcernedChristians.ca
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
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Parents have no rights, according to HWDSB
MARK CRIPPS MANAGING EDITOR, TALES FROM THE CRYPT
Published on Feb 11, 2010
The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board is quite proud of its new equity policy, including a component that includes sexual orientation.
“It’s not about teaching something that’s contrary to what people might believe,” said HWDSB education director John Malloy in August 2009, just months after he assumed the new position.
Fostering an environment free of racism and discrimination is no easy task when you’re dealing with hundreds of schools and thousands of students.
And it’s even more difficult when some of those young minds come from religious backgrounds that advocate a different view of homosexuality, in accordance with respective interpretations of scripture or holy text.
The board’s insistence to move ahead in spite of certain religious beliefs and with disregard for the concerns of some parents seems a little heavy-handed.
At least that’s how I felt after reviewing a handout given to teachers recently, which basically indicates parents have no rights when it comes to their child’s education at the HWDSB.
Teachers were given the handout recently to assist in dealing with questions from parents opposed to anti-homophobia curriculum in schools. For example, in response to the question, “This is against our rights as parents to teach our own set of family values,” the board is telling its teachers to respond with, “This is not about parents rights.”
I will post the handout online this week, and you can download it and read the responses you’ll get if you ask about the board’s gender equity and sexual orientation policy.
The board compares anti-homophobia education to teaching students about aboriginal rights. I don’t know of any religion that has a specific doctrine on aboriginals.
However, some Christians, Muslims and Jews believe homosexuality is a sin, or is forbidden according to their beliefs.
I don’t support that view. My brother is gay, and I certainly appreciate the challenges he has faced. I will share this understanding with my daughter as she grows up, and ensure she understands that discrimination of any kind is not acceptable regardless of what others might say. That’s my right as a parent. I don’t expect the school to take care of that job for me.
However, to say parents with more fundamentalist views of homosexuality have no rights when it comes to the education of their children is complicated, and can’t be brushed aside with a snappy answer sheet provided to teachers.
What happens when little Johnny learns one view at church and home, and then is told that view is unacceptable at school? It seems to me there are a lot of adults playing around with little Johnny’s brain. Who does little Johnny believe? His parents, his church or his teacher?
According to the board’s sexual orientation policy, it will support curriculum, learning materials and school practices which reflect and include the principles of equity, as regulated by the Ministry of Education.
Some parents have asked if their children can be removed from situations where anti-homophobic education takes place. Mandatory provincial curriculum includes diverse family structures. The board says no child will be excused from the class when topics of homosexuality are brought into the classroom.
I don’t know what the compromise is. Teaching children about black history or the rights of the disabled doesn’t violate any specific religious belief.
Teaching children how to engage in safe homosexual intercourse might be uncomfortable for someone who has been taught since birth that the very act constitutes a sin according to their respective faith.
Does the board believe faith has no value in its schools? Does the board really support the principle that parents have no rights over their child’s education?
Right or wrong, rejecting the dogma of specific faiths doesn't seem very inclusive.
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Last Updated on Friday, 12 February 2010 09:02
Connecting in Business - January 11, 2010
To be notified about future networking events, please send an e-mail to events@concernedchristians.ca indicating you would like to be added to events newsletter. We will keep you updated as new announcements are made.
On Monday, January 11 at 7:00 pm Concerned Christians Canada will hold its all new CCC Connecting in Business Event in Calgary. We are sending the word out about this event as there are many in Calgary who are looking to connect; to increase business, to find employees or to find work.
Today there are many doom sayers who would claim that the economy is demolished and that we can do nothing about it. Well, our Connecting in Business Events are designed to help you obtain a new outlook. The event will start and end with group prayer and we will also have a dedicated time of one-on-one prayer where individuals will pray specifically for one another's needs and goals and encourage each other.
A primary purpose of these events is to connect the body of Christ throughout the business community, to bring Christ centred unity and to build a network of individuals focused on helping each other to further the kingdom and to ensure that none are in need among us.
Acts 2:44-47 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The event schedule is as follows:
- open in prayer (10 minutes)
- CCC Introduction (20 minutes)
- individual introductions - take 30 seconds to briefly introduce yourself, to name a couple of desired outcomes from attending the event, to indicate a desired key contact (industry contact) lead, to indicate if you are a business owner or a person looking for work
- directed networking - working through a set of objective based questions, together, in order to build business, increase contacts and encourage fellowship (business card swap)
- expert brain share session - a question and answer time where individuals in the room get to ask brief questions and experts in the room provide answers
- group feedback - opportunity for the group to present ideas for group advertising and for the leveraging of group talents
- one-on-one prayer time (10 minutes)
- end in prayer (10 minutes)
Contributing to the Kingdom
We are asking any attendees, who are interested in the less fortunate, to bring some extra money, from five dollars, to as much as you are willing to give. We are in the process of helping many who are in need, with food and necessities of life, and your contribution is both desired and needed in order to continue this important work.
We are serving widows, orphans, divorcees, children, immigrants and refugees, disconnected families who have no support network but who need prayer, resources and financial support, and are providing couples ministry support for marriages in crisis. We are praying that God will expand our efforts, allowing us to have a broader reach in serving and blessing, and in demonstrating the love of Christ, while at the same time spreading the gospel of the Kingdom.
If you cannot attend the event, please consider contributing to CCC. Many Christian organizations have stopped preaching the gospel and have become social service agencies. Some Christians are saying, "actions speak louder than words" we say "displaying the love and righteousness of Christ adds credibility to us as we share the gospel". Please consider blessing our helps ministry in some way, either with your time, resources or finances.
If you have unwanted furniture, beds, pots and pans, kitchenware, clothes, entertainment equipment, vehicles, computer equipment, desks, chairs, appliances, small appliances, cleaning supplies or anything else, in good condition, that a person would need when starting a life in an apartment or house, we would really appreciate receiving them. Some of the people we are serving have been abandoned and are in forced move scenarios, and these items are a God send for these individuals.
CCC now has a storehouse which we are using to sort and redistribute goods to people as we bring them God's love and message of redemption.
For those interested in contributing financially, you may do so quickly and easily through our website. Just look for the "Contribute to CCC" area located on the left hand side of the site to quickly and easily contribute any amount you feel led to give.
Here's what to look for on our site:
Let us know you are coming
Please RSVP for our upcoming CCC Connecting in Business Event right away so we know how many people to expect at the event. Beverages and cold plates will be provided and it is our sincere desire to make sure that there is enough for everyone.
Who: Business owners, sales reps, employers seeking employees, employees seeking work opportunities or lead building
What: CCC Connecting in Business Event
When: 7:00-8:30pm January 11, 2010
Where:
Kustom Design Business Centre 221 18th Street SE Calgary, AB
Cost: $10 per person
If you have any questions please contact me directly at 403-690-4636 and leave a message if we are not able to receive your call. We will return your call right away if we are not able to receive your call directly.
RSVP by phone at 403-690-4636 or via e-mail to events@concernedchristians.ca.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 16 January 2010 02:53
Judge Rules Calgary Preacher Acted in Good Faith - Calgary Bylaws Ruled Unconstitutional
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- December 7, 2009 -
Judge Rules Calgary Preacher Acted in Good Faith
Calgary Bylaws Ruled Unconstitutional
For years, Street Church Ministries has been fighting to have its rights restored. In 2005 and 2006 the ministry applied for, and received, permits to hold church services in Triangle Park. In 2007, the ministry had its permit revoked, allegedly due to noise concerns. The ministry repeatedly claimed that it had never once received a single ticket for exceeding acceptable noise levels. The ministry also repeatedly pointed to written statements by attending officers that, they had “found the ministry to be in compliance with the issued park permits”. Today's ruling by Judge A. A. Fradsham has vindicated the ministries claims to innocence.
Judge Fradsham stated, “While finding that the acused acted in good faith, I am concerned by the actions of certain City officials.” He further wrote that “the City's attempts, through Bylaw Officers and police officers to limit the scope of the efforts by the accused to minister to his congregants, fall precariously close to being excessive and, to any reasonable observer, an abuse of power.”
In reference to the City Bylaws that were deemed of no force or effect and unconstitutional, Judge Fradsham found that some of the bylaws were “impermissibly overboard or vague”. The judge further found that these bylaws “infringed the accused's right of freedom of religion”. He also found that the bylaws “infringed the accused's right of freedom of expression”.
“There are at least eight violations of my Constitutional rights and 2 Bylaws and one provincial law declared to be of no force or effect because of those violations. Hopefully our city officials will take note of this outcome and perhaps this will mean that the City will deal with us differently in the future”, stated Artur Pawlowski of Street Church Ministries.
Judge Fradsham finished his 91 page decision summary with this statement, “Does the evidence support a finding of abusive conduct by City of Calgary Bylaw Officers or Police Officers?” The answer? “Yes...”
After years of battling with the City of Calgary to have their rights restored, Street Church Ministries is greatful to have received such a landmark decision and victory for freedom of religion, and freedom of expression.
“We fought and we won. Today, when I heard the words of the Judge, 'I find the accused not guilty of all charges', I thought of all the countless conversations I had with so many different people, telling them the stories of the City's abuse of power, and now we have the courts telling us that we were right from the very beginning. This is truly amazing and a great blessing. This is not only our victory, today's ruling is a victory for all Canadians. Democracy is something that we should all cherish and hold dear. For these rights, our forefathers bled and died all around the world. Now as their successors, we have a responsibility to continue to stand for those rights, since that is what made our country glorious and free. In this growing recession, with so many hurting people, let's join our efforts together to help and save as many Calgarians as possible, and please, let's stop wasting tax payers money on these kinds of battles”, proclaimed Pawlowski.
The ministry is inviting all interested parties to join them in a victory champagne (sparkling apple juice) celebration at the steps of City Hall this Wednesday at noon. For more information, please contact Street Church at 403-607-4434.
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Last Updated on Monday, 07 December 2009 23:17
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
November 24, 2009
Calgary Police Officer Charged
Pastor delivers message of forgiveness
Artur Pawlowski Pastor of Street Church Ministries was found innocent of seven criminal charges levied against him in 2006, including “obstruct in public place, petty trespass act, obstruct, omit to assist a public/peace officer, causing a disturbance, loiter, and resist”, relating to the reading of a Bible in a public park. But the story continues. Pawlowski recently received a subpoena to appear at the arresting constable's disciplinary hearing for four days starting on November 30, 2009. Mr. Pawlowski has been asked to appear at the hearing to give evidence relating to the police department's findings of misconduct on the part of the officer during the 2006 arrest.
One would understand a person, who had undergone such a threatening and intimidating experience, to be angry and bitter, what is surprising is that Mr. Pawlowski is not. In a recently released statement, posted on the Street Church website (www.streetchurch.ca), which Pawlowski indicates he will read to the parties present at the upcoming hearing, he comes out with some impressive and striking remarks of forgiveness and co-operation.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to look into this man's face, look into his eyes, and from the bottom of my heart and say, 'you are not only forgiven now, but I forgave you in that police car when you arrested me'. There are always consequences for our actions, but I wish that we all could put this unfortunate incident behind us. I am not after this constable's job, everyone does wrong at one point or another, we are just human beings, and we all make mistakes. My only desire today is that we all would learn from these kinds of difficult situations and come out edified and better for it, making sure that similar incidents will not happen again,” stated Pawlowski.
What's even more surprising is that after four years of heavy pressure and up to 30 officers and 11 emergency vehicles, at a single Street Church event, and more than 80 summons and tickets, and over 30 court appearances, Pawlowski's message is seemingly unwavering; love, forgiveness, and mercy. He hasn't backed down from his convictions, oh no, in fact, he stands firm for them, yet at the same time he demonstrates many qualities desperately lacking in our society.
“In the end what I want all of us to remember, is not the officer's clearly wrong actions, but that there is power in forgiveness, and power in love. That is what should motivate us to move forward,” concluded Pawlowski.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 20:50
City Seeks Silence from the People
Proposed bylaw will strip Calgarians of Constitutional Right
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Concerned Christians Canada is challenging Calgarians to speak out and save their constitutional freedoms from being squashed by City Hall. The organization has reported that Calgary's City administration will present a draft bylaw to City Council's Standing Policy Committee, comprised only of 7 City aldermen, in private session, on October 28th which, among many other restrictions, will redefine and expand the municipal complex boundaries to include adjacent sidewalks and +15 areas. If the proposed bill is passed by the standing committee of aldermen, the bill will then be voted on by the rest of City Council. The proposed bylaw will prohibit many events from taking place at all, and will restrict others from happening without permits, which the City would have to approve, within these new boundaries. Peaceful protests and demonstrations are on the list of activities which will not be allowed, which, to be clear, means currently public sidewalks in front of the municipal buildings where many protests currently happen.
"It is insanely arrogant and undemocratic of City Hall to ban public protests. If the City passes this bill which will go before committee and then be voted on by City Council, the right to peaceful assembly on what are currently public sidewalks will be stopped, the right to peacefully protest City Halls policies or governing methods will be prohibited. The kind of stripping of rights, as fundamental as the right to peacefully protest in front of Government buildings, has only happened in the worst and most oppressive societies in history. This is City Councils way of silencing the public, on issues like wasting of taxpayer's money, excessive taxation and the like, and it is unacceptable in a free and democratic society. Calgarians need to rise up, and insist that this bill be struck down, before the bill is made law," stated Jim Blake National Chairman Concerned Christians Canada.
Concerned Christians Canada is especially concerned with the fact that that the public is not being consulted or informed about their rights being stripped of them. They have indicated that this move seems to be happening behind closed doors, by steath, and with a stacked deck of only private sessions of aldermen. They also stated that they feel that history is repeating itself, with only a hand full of people making decisions that will adversely affect the rights over a million people.
Concerned Christians Canada has been provided with documentation which shows that this process is underway and that the bylaw in question is in the approval process. The media may contact Jim Blake National Chairman of Concerned Christians Canada by phone at 403-690-4636.
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MARK CRIPPS MANAGING EDITOR, TALES FROM THE CRYPT
