Tamales took the place of turkey at an all-nations Christmas celebration at St. Barnabas Church on Sunday night.
The church, located in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood, held a posada on Dec. 15. Rev. Emilie Smith,who has been involved with the Latin American community for years, said posadas are a Mexican and Latin American Christmas tradition.
Las posadas traditionally take place over nine days, but St. Barnabas adapted it into a one-night event. The posada involves the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph searching for a room at the inn.
“We go around the neighbourhood with a candlelight procession with Mary and Joseph, looking for a place for the Queen of Heaven to have her baby,” Smith told The Record. “It is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.”
Like Mary and Joseph, the procession will be turned away at some of the locations where they stop. Neighbours in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood were recruited to serve as “innkeepers” who reject the procession.
“They are going to be as mean as possible and not welcome us,” Smith said. “We go on to the next place.”
Ultimately, the procession ends up a short while later at St. Barnabas Church, where they will knock on the door.
“We are welcomed at the church,” Smith said. “Here at the church we will have the piñatas. We have Latin American food, we have some dancing.”
While a posada is a Christian festival, it aims to appeal to people of all cultures and religions.
“Who can say no to candles and lanterns and piñatas?” Smith said. “This is an all nations event.”
Helping hands
A new crew has taken the helm of the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society.
All members of the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service belong to the charitable society, which raises funds that it disperses to a variety of groups in the community including Royal Columbian Hospital’s pediatric ward, the Union Gospel Mission and the Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families.
Taking the helm of the society are: Ryan Blatter, president; Trevor Tougas, vice president; Josh Sharkey, treasurer;and Jay Zimmermann, recording secretary.
Treasure hunt
One-of-a-kind items in British Columbia are among the gems to be found in the Treasure Room.
The Arts Council of New Westminster is once again using its gallery space as the home of the Treasure Room. When they step into the Treasure Room, people will be overwhelmed at the huge assortment of gifts for folks they’d like to remember, says local arts promoter Tony Antonias.
“Everything you see has one thing in common. It’s beautiful. It’s different. It’s local. And it’s priced to please,” Antonias said. “And speaking of price, the price you see is the price you pay. Christmas shopping at the art’s council’s Treasure Room is tax-free.”
Jewelry, raku pottery, bookmarks, plates, capes and wraps, boxed cards, and hand-knitted, hand-spun and nature-dyed hats are among the finds in the Treasure Room.
“I spent over an hour looking and making notes to highlight just some of the strictly made-in-B.C. items,” Antonias noted.
The Treasure Room is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., but evening sessions can be booked and people can have the Treasure Room all to themselves.
Call 604-525-3244 or visit www.artscouncilnewwest.org.
Activist honoured
Mae Burrows’ efforts have been recognized by the New Westminster and District Labour Council.
The Burnaby resident is the recipient of the labour council’s Community Service Award.
“Ms. Burrows has worked with union members, scientists and others to organize campaigns to protect fish habitat and water quality throughout B.C. and in the Fraser Basin,” said a press release from the United Way of the Lower Mainland. “Mae developed the original Toxins in the Workplace course with the B.C. Federation of Labour and delivered hundreds of workshops to union committees across Canada. She most recently served as the executive director, Toxic Free Canada.”
Burrows was among the volunteers recognized at the recent 20th annual Labour Appreciation Night, hosted by United Way of the Lower Mainland, the Vancouver and District Labour Council, and the New Westminster and District Labour Council. The event was presented by Pacific Blue Cross.
