TWO WORLDS History
Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre of Nanaimo had its beginning in 2007 during a cold December night of brainstorming with founding members Dr. Paul Biscop, Wendy Knoch, Anne Woodward , and two others.
They were all Spiritualists but wanted to create a more inclusive , welcoming and upbeat Spiritualist church than was available at the time. After a suggestion from the Reverend Carol Spencer ( Anne's cousin) they decided to form their own church - Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo, and the five went from brainstorming dreamers to founding members.
They moved quickly and in April 2008 "Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo" was incorporated and was initially part of the Canadian Spiritualist association . Being 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 Morpeth Ave. 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 church and it soon became the community the founding members envisioned -upbeat and welcoming. Wanting to maintain autonomy the Church also left the Canadian Spiritualist Association and has remained independent since.
Dr. Paul was also a prolific writer and artist and created the first logo - hand drawn and long before any AI tools!
They were all Spiritualists but wanted to create a more inclusive , welcoming and upbeat Spiritualist church than was available at the time. After a suggestion from the Reverend Carol Spencer ( Anne's cousin) they decided to form their own church - Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo, and the five went from brainstorming dreamers to founding members.
They moved quickly and in April 2008 "Two Worlds Spiritualist Church of Nanaimo" was incorporated and was initially part of the Canadian Spiritualist association . Being 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 Morpeth Ave. 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 church and it soon became the community the founding members envisioned -upbeat and welcoming. Wanting to maintain autonomy the Church also left the Canadian Spiritualist Association and has remained independent since.
Dr. Paul 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.
Like many he began searching for more connection to spirit after a "dark night of soul" .
In his early 20s he began receiving answers from Spirit, and left the conventional church that had provided spiritual refuge all his life. Listening to Spirit eventually led Paul and his partner to Vancouver Island, where they created a loving , welcoming home and a life together 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 Two Worlds , and to helping others develop both their spiritual and artistic abilities. His joyful, energetic, and loving ways buoyed the spirits of the congregation at every service. 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.
He truly felt that the meaning of life was giving , and it showed in his devotion to all aspects of Two Worlds - not just as the resident medium but all parts of running a church.
In 2016 Paul passed and although as spiritualists we know he is here with us in spirit, his passing left a huge hole both in the hearts of the congregation and Two Worlds Church.
Like many he began searching for more connection to spirit after a "dark night of soul" .
In his early 20s he began receiving answers from Spirit, and left the conventional church that had provided spiritual refuge all his life. Listening to Spirit eventually led Paul and his partner to Vancouver Island, where they created a loving , welcoming home and a life together 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 Two Worlds , and to helping others develop both their spiritual and artistic abilities. His joyful, energetic, and loving ways buoyed the spirits of the congregation at every service. 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.
He truly felt that the meaning of life was giving , and it showed in his devotion to all aspects of Two Worlds - not just as the resident medium but all parts of running a church.
In 2016 Paul passed and although as spiritualists we know he is here with us in spirit, his passing left a huge hole both in the hearts of the congregation and Two Worlds Church.
Post " Dr. Paul" Era
When Paul passed in spring 2016 he 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.
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 . Elizabeth and is credited with bringing Two Worlds onto firm footing after a couple of rocky years after Dr. Paul's passing. This proved a lot of work, but also a chance to see who might be a good match for a longer term collaboration.
When Paul passed in spring 2016 he 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.
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 . Elizabeth and is credited with bringing Two Worlds onto firm footing after a couple of rocky years after Dr. Paul's passing. 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 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.
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 in and kept Two Worlds services going through online platforms.
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 potential site.
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 potential site.
Timing was perfect as Two Worlds was able to secure a long term contract and once the restrictions were lifted - services took off in a fresh new home at the Moose Lodge in Nanaimo, where we currently meet.
Over the years the original wording of "Church" was replaced with "Centre" and in 2023 we were thrilled to have member Phillisean Byers design a fresh new logo, incorporating both the mountain reflection of the first Two Worlds logo along with the sunflower , a symbol of the spiritualist movement in North America.
In 2023 we expanded our reach when Medium and Board Member Lee Sparks added Zoom access.
In 2024 Two Worlds honoured founding member Wendy Knoch with a "Lifetime Membership Award" for her extraordinary service since forming Two Worlds.
In 2024 Two Worlds honoured founding member Wendy Knoch with a "Lifetime Membership Award" for her extraordinary service since forming Two Worlds.
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!