TWO WORLDS History
Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre of Nanaimo had its beginnings during a night of brainstorming one cold December evening in 2007 with founding members Dr. Paul Biscop, Wendy Knoch, Anne Woodward , and two others.
They all attended an existing Spiritualist church in Nanaimo but they envisioned a more inclusive and welcoming community with more upbeat energy , and after a suggestion from the Reverend Carol Spencer ( Anne's cousin) they decided to form their own church - Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo.
They moved quickly and in April 2008 "Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo" was incorporated, independent of any affiliations with any national or provincial spiritualist associations, yet firmly grounded in the beliefs of Spiritualism, including the 7 Principles. One of the first orders of business was to update the language of the "7 principles", (which Two Worlds has continued to update as needed over the years).
This was a great leap of faith and fortunately Dr. Paul and the other founders found a way to connect and sell the idea of a spiritualist church both to the budding congregation and to the Masonic Organization, and services began at the Masonic hall at 620 Morpeth in Nanaimo.
Dr. Paul had many gifts , but one very important one was his ability to keep a project moving forward by creating reconciliation and finding compromises. As the resident Medium for Two Worlds he brought that drive fully to the business of building the centre, which meant that we have the centre we have today. He was also a prolific writer and artist and created the first logo - hand drawn and long before any AI tools!
They all attended an existing Spiritualist church in Nanaimo but they envisioned a more inclusive and welcoming community with more upbeat energy , and after a suggestion from the Reverend Carol Spencer ( Anne's cousin) they decided to form their own church - Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo.
They moved quickly and in April 2008 "Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo" was incorporated, independent of any affiliations with any national or provincial spiritualist associations, yet firmly grounded in the beliefs of Spiritualism, including the 7 Principles. One of the first orders of business was to update the language of the "7 principles", (which Two Worlds has continued to update as needed over the years).
This was a great leap of faith and fortunately Dr. Paul and the other founders found a way to connect and sell the idea of a spiritualist church both to the budding congregation and to the Masonic Organization, and services began at the Masonic hall at 620 Morpeth in Nanaimo.
Dr. Paul had many gifts , but one very important one was his ability to keep a project moving forward by creating reconciliation and finding compromises. As the resident Medium for Two Worlds he brought that drive fully to the business of building the centre, which meant that we have the centre we have today. He was also a prolific writer and artist and created the first logo - hand drawn and long before any AI tools!
Dr. Paul Biscop
Dr. Paul served as the Medium at Two Worlds from the very first service until his passing in 2016. He came to his mediumship after a night of the "dark soul" .
He was in his early 20s when he started receiving answers from spirit, and he was so moved that he left the conventional church that had been his spiritual refuse all his life. Eventually Paul followed the guidance of spirit that drew him to Vancouver Island, and along with his partner of 24 years lead to a loving , welcoming home and a life together here that blossomed.
Paul loved to see others develop and trust their mediumship and connection to spirit, and always gave enthusiastic encouragement to everyone in their spiritual journey.
Dr. Paul devoted so much of his life and love and energy to this centre, and to helping others develop both their spiritual and artistic abilities. He truly felt that the meaning of life was giving , and his joyful, energetic, loving giving was what buoyed this centre through the years.
His services left us moved, enlightened, educated and with laughter in our hearts. He could touch us deeply, take us to new depths of understanding of both the world and spirit, and then have us all dancing , singing and laughing with joy.
In 2016 Paul passed and although we understand we WILL see him again, his passing left a huge hole both in the heart of Two Worlds Centre and organization.
He was in his early 20s when he started receiving answers from spirit, and he was so moved that he left the conventional church that had been his spiritual refuse all his life. Eventually Paul followed the guidance of spirit that drew him to Vancouver Island, and along with his partner of 24 years lead to a loving , welcoming home and a life together here that blossomed.
Paul loved to see others develop and trust their mediumship and connection to spirit, and always gave enthusiastic encouragement to everyone in their spiritual journey.
Dr. Paul devoted so much of his life and love and energy to this centre, and to helping others develop both their spiritual and artistic abilities. He truly felt that the meaning of life was giving , and his joyful, energetic, loving giving was what buoyed this centre through the years.
His services left us moved, enlightened, educated and with laughter in our hearts. He could touch us deeply, take us to new depths of understanding of both the world and spirit, and then have us all dancing , singing and laughing with joy.
In 2016 Paul passed and although we understand we WILL see him again, his passing left a huge hole both in the heart of Two Worlds Centre and organization.
Post " Dr. Paul" Era
Paul left some big shoes to fill, as he was not only the resident medium he was a founding member and board member from the time of Two Worlds incorporation. But it was his big heart, entertaining way and enthusiasm that were missed most of all.
And without a main medium in Two Worlds the Board decided that the Centre would try a new approach, and from 2016 to 2018 President Elizabeth Menard organized the centre around visiting mediums for every service. She also served as president, treasurer and Board member in charge of membership during this time and is credited with bringing Two Worlds onto firm footing after a couple of rocky years after Dr. Paul's passing. To put it mildly - this proved a lot of work, but also a chance to see who might be a good match for a longer term collaboration.
Paul left some big shoes to fill, as he was not only the resident medium he was a founding member and board member from the time of Two Worlds incorporation. But it was his big heart, entertaining way and enthusiasm that were missed most of all.
And without a main medium in Two Worlds the Board decided that the Centre would try a new approach, and from 2016 to 2018 President Elizabeth Menard organized the centre around visiting mediums for every service. She also served as president, treasurer and Board member in charge of membership during this time and is credited with bringing Two Worlds onto firm footing after a couple of rocky years after Dr. Paul's passing. To put it mildly - this proved a lot of work, but also a chance to see who might be a good match for a longer term collaboration.
One of the "Visiting" Mediums was Reverend Dianne Burrough who in 2018 decided to retire from running her own church in Nanoose. As she did more services with Two Worlds the match strengthened, and Two Worlds offered her the position of Resident Ordained Spiritualist Minister.
Dianne was an inspired choice not only for her beautiful presence but she became the mentor of our Two Worlds Current Resident Ordained Spiritualist Minister - the Reverend Nicole Powell!
Dianne was an inspired choice not only for her beautiful presence but she became the mentor of our Two Worlds Current Resident Ordained Spiritualist Minister - the Reverend Nicole Powell!
By 2019 Both Dianne and Nicole ( as Minister in Training) were conducting services and delivering messages from the podium...and along with the continuation of having visiting mediums as well, the group once again was flourishing.
Then...the pandemic, and in early 2020 Two Worlds had to pull the plug on in person services.
However , one very bright spark during the shutdown was that Nicole completed her "Minister in Training" and became a fully fledged Ordained Spiritualist Minister and resident Minister for Two Worlds, eager to begin services.
Then...the pandemic, and in early 2020 Two Worlds had to pull the plug on in person services.
However , one very bright spark during the shutdown was that Nicole completed her "Minister in Training" and became a fully fledged Ordained Spiritualist Minister and resident Minister for Two Worlds, eager to begin services.
With no in person services possible, Nicole jumped into online tech and kept Two World services going FB.
And this also became a time to reconsider other options, and without knowing when we might resume in person service we left the Masonic hall.
That left Two Worlds looking for a new home - one that would let us keep our library and belongings on site, have our fellowship tea and coffee service, hold special Mediumship Demonstration Days, with lots of parking and accessible entries...and most importantly an open and welcoming space ( both physically and energetically) .
Board member Dawn Marie Menard credits a message from her late parents with the inspiration to approach the Moose Hall ( who were both long time "Moose" members). She had been searching Nanaimo for just the right space when she heard the words "Moose Hall" as she was heading out to visit another site on another search.
And this also became a time to reconsider other options, and without knowing when we might resume in person service we left the Masonic hall.
That left Two Worlds looking for a new home - one that would let us keep our library and belongings on site, have our fellowship tea and coffee service, hold special Mediumship Demonstration Days, with lots of parking and accessible entries...and most importantly an open and welcoming space ( both physically and energetically) .
Board member Dawn Marie Menard credits a message from her late parents with the inspiration to approach the Moose Hall ( who were both long time "Moose" members). She had been searching Nanaimo for just the right space when she heard the words "Moose Hall" as she was heading out to visit another site on another search.
Timing was perfect as Two Worlds was able to secure a long term contract before in person meetings were allowed to resume, and once the restrictions were lifted - services took off in a fresh new home at the Moose Lodge in Nanaimo.
Over the years the original wording of "Church" was replaced with "Centre" and in 2023 we were thrilled to have a member design a fresh new logo to match our fresh new centre.
in 2023 we expanded our reach when Medium and Board Member Lee Sparks added Zoom access.
As well - Reverend Nicole has continued to develop her gifts through high level training. She returns that knowledge to our community ten fold by incorporating her new skills into our services , by training members at special events, and by inspiring and training evolving mediums who join her on the podium at services . All of this allows our centre to provide even more powerful benefits to our community - as proven by the growing congregation!
As well - Reverend Nicole has continued to develop her gifts through high level training. She returns that knowledge to our community ten fold by incorporating her new skills into our services , by training members at special events, and by inspiring and training evolving mediums who join her on the podium at services . All of this allows our centre to provide even more powerful benefits to our community - as proven by the growing congregation!