Celebrating anniversary of a dream

By Rev. CAROLYN TORHJELM RONALD

It started with a dream.

It was 1978 and the weather hovered around freezing on that November evening but there was the warmth of excitement as a new community of faith formed to worship together for the first time in the Beattie elementary school library.

The southwest area of Kamloops was booming with development and people with young families were seeking out ways to connect with each other that would foster spiritual growth and nurture their children in community. But they didn’t want it to happen in conventional ways.

Instead, on that November evening, an outreach worker, Mae Gracey, was appointed to get to work drawing people together in innovative ways. Mid-week learning circles and children’s programming meeting in homes and schools expanded the web of relationships.

The dream got bigger.

What if it would be possible, the people asked themselves, to set aside denominational differences and try something that had never been tried before? A society was founded with the moniker “PLURA” to represent Presbyterians, Lutherans, United, Roman Catholics, and Anglicans working together.

A plan was made to build a community centre in the Aberdeen area that would be a focal point. In honour of this covenant, the United Church partner adopted the name, “Plura Hills.” Newspaper clippings from the time capture the enthusiasm. Time, money, land issues and economic recession were, in their course, factos as the PLURA movement matured. Creative responses to changes in circumstances were found.

The dream adapted.

For 20 years, people of faith created a community of support where joys and sorrows were shared, memories made, and children raised. Scrapbooks were filled with snapshots and mementoes of milestones celebrated in homes, community rooms, converted convenience store, and in the great outdoors. It was time for a new milestone. A shovel was painted gold so sod could be turned.

On a pleasantly warm June day in 1999, the community gathered at its new permanent address at 2090 Pacific Way. The construction dust had yet to settle and there was still work to do to make the place ready for the official dedication planned for that September, but it felt like a new home.

The dream lives on.

For 15 years, Plura Hills has been holding regular worship services at its location on Pacific Way and providing space for early childhood education, outreach projects, special events, and being available as a gathering place for the Aberdeen area community. It is time to celebrate.

On Sunday, June 29, 2014, a special Service of Thanksgiving will be held at 10 with a barbeque celebration immediately following. Lots of things have changed since 1978 but something that has stayed the same is that those who seek authentic, loving, supportive, Christian community will find it in the warmth of the people of Plura Hills.

It is a place where the word of God comes to life in acts of kindness and caring. All are welcome to join in the celebration. And to keep dreaming the Dream.