It has been 450 years since the Heidelberg Catechism was written by Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus. Throughout this year, there will be celebrations and commemorations remembering this beloved catechism. The first such activity in the Fraser Valley will be a conference held at the Aldergrove Canadian Reformed Church, which will have a live video feed of the conference held at the Canadian Reformed Seminary in Hamilton.
Here is the write-up:
Heidelberg Catechism – 450th Anniversary
Since it was first published in 1563, the
Heidelberg Catechism has been cherished by Christians around the world. Its
warm, pastoral summary of the holy gospel has guided generations of God's
people, teaching them about their only true comfort in life and in death. On January 18-19, 2013, a conference will
be held at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary celebrating the 450th
anniversary of the Catechism and exploring how this confessional treasure can
continue to serve the church for generations to come.
In addition to the main conference in
Hamilton, Ontario, various locations in Canada and the USA are hosting a satellite
conference which will receive a simulcast transmission of some of the keynote
speeches, in addition to workshops. Here
in the Fraser Valley, the Conference will be simulcast in the facilities of the
Aldergrove Canadian Reformed Church
located at 26655 24th Avenue in Aldergrove.
7:00
- 7:20 Coffee is served in
church hall.
7:20
- 7:30 Opening devotions in the
church auditorium
7:30 - 8:45 Keynote speech #1 in the church
auditorium - Dr. H. Selderhuis: "The
Heidelberg Catechism: Secret of its Success."
8:45
- 9:00 Break time with
refreshments.
9:00
- 9:45 Choose between one of
the following two workshops:
a)The Catechism and Mission Work
(auditorium)
b)The Catechism and the Home-Church-School
Triangle (church hall).
Saturday morning (January
19)
8:15
- 8:50 Morning refreshments in
the church hall.
8:50
- 9:00 Opening devotions in the
church auditorium.
9:00 - 10:15 Keynote speech # 2 in the church
auditorium - Dr. J. VanVliet: "The
Comforted I In the Catechism."
10:15
- 10:45 Break time with
refreshments.
10:45
- 11:30 Choose between one of the
following two workshops:
a)The Catechism and the Pulpit.
b)The Catechism and the Next Generations.
Pre-registration will be required for this Conference. The cost will be $10 per
person to cover refreshments and the professional services required to do this
simulcast. You may also choose to attend
only Friday evening or only Saturday morning at the cost of $5 per person. If you wish to register, please send an email
to catechismconference@hotmail.com with your name (s). Your
(cash only) payment will be received at the door on Friday evening. Thank
you! Rev. Theo Lodder and Rev. Rob
Schouten
Remember to register now! I will be leading a discussion on Friday night dealing with the catechism and the Home-Church-School triangle. Next Friday, come and be spiritually edified. Also, there is a new website which is will be extremely valuable and helpful in drawing together many sources on the Heidelberg Catechism. Check it out http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/
