Tours
Thursday, July 5
A number of guided tours of the Abbotsford
area have been arranged. See below for descriptions. Tours will start
at 13:00 and return prior to 17:00. Shuttle cost is included in
the cost of the tour.
Tour 1 – The Dynamic Sikhs of Abbotsford
$15/person
Sikhs from India’s Punjab province are BC’s second
largest religious group after Christians. Of Abbotsford’s population
of 143,000, 25% are Punjabi. The tour will visit Abbotsford’s second
oldest Sikh temple. Tour leader Jurgen Schonwetter, professor emeritus
at Columbia Bible College, will give an introduction to Sikhism. Local
Sikh professor and interpreter Dr. Ram Singh Padwel will tell the Sikh
story. Prepare to partake of Punjabi vegetarian food in the temple’s
lower auditorium. Tour leaders: Jurgen and Annie Schonwetter
Tour 2 – Westminster
Abbey, Mission BC
$15/person
The tour will begin with a presentation
about the history of the Abbey and its architecture. Canadian Mennonite
Bible College alumnus Neil Matthies will direct the tour group in singing
in and enjoying the acoustics of the Abbey Cathedral. A short rehearsal
is planned before embarking on this tour. Please note that the Abbey
does have a dress code. Shorts are not permitted. Tour leaders: Elaine
and Dan Zehr
Tour 3 – Agricultural Tour – Flavours: Urban
and Rural
$20/person
In a changing world, farmers in BC have had to adapt
in order to overcome challenges. This tour will provide an opportunity
to meet two farmers who have used different avenues to produce food.
The tour participants will view a state of the art greenhouse operation,
and also a “consumer friendly” farm where fruits and vegetables
are marketed directly to the consumer. The tour will also include taste
test opportunities. Tour leader: Walter Bergen
Tour 4 – Service
Tour – Fraser Valley Gleaners
$15/person
Spend the afternoon volunteering
at the Fraser Valley Gleaners and hear the story and vision for this
gleaning project. Begun in 1998, this Christian non-profit organization
states its mission as, “converting surplus produce into nutritious
food for hungry people.” Participants will serve as volunteers
for the afternoon, cutting up vegetables for the dryers, and conclude
with a taste test of some of the soup mixes. Tour leader: Carl Heinrichs
Tour
5 – Minter Gardens
$20/person, additional admission fee of
$11.50/person payable at the gate by cash, debit or credit card
The Minter
Gardens are nestled against the 7000 foot Mount Cheam. The spectacular
show garden covers some 35 acres and includes 11 theme gardens and thousands
of brilliant annuals. In July, the rose gardens should be bursting with
colour and fragrance. Enjoy a cup of tea surrounded by this magnificent
floral display. Tour leaders: Ed and Louise Janzen
Tour 6 – Golf
at Poppy Golf Course, Aldergrove BC
Green fee of $35/person payable at
the course by cash, debit or credit card.
Participants to provide their
own transportation. Check with the tour desk upon arrival at the Assembly
to discuss car pooling options. Leaders: John and Lorena Redekop
Tour
7 – Mountain Hike
$15/person
Participants will take part in an
afternoon of hiking around Weaver Lake in the Hemlock Valley area near
Harrison Mills. The hike encircles Weaver Lake for 6.5 km. It includes
scaling (with the assistance of wooden steps) a 50 metre rock which drops
sheer to the water and offers a good view. Hikers will experience a changing
forest surrounding of conifers and deciduous trees, plus shade-loving
flowers like coral root. The tour is limited to 14 people. Come prepared
for a moderately difficult climb; appropriate foot wear is important.
Tour Leader: Dave Loewen
Please register for tours under “E. Special
Meals, Events, Tours” on the registration form. |
