Two Worlds History
|
|
Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre of Nanaimo was formed in 2008 by a small group of Spiritualists who found the confides of the existing churches did not match their desires for a more modern centre. The founding members included Dr. Paul Biscop, Wendy Knoch, Anne Woodward , all of whom spent many years as board members building Two Worlds .
|
Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre of Nanaimo was originally a member of the Canadian Organization (SNU) , but determined that more autonomy was desired and thus separated within a couple of years and has operated as a separate organization since.
Dr. Paul Biscop - Founding Member and Spiritual Leader - 2008 -2016
|
Dr. Paul Biscop, known as Dr. Paul, discovered mediumship after a life-changing reading that led him to see spirit differently from his Catholic upbringing. In his early 20s, he began receiving answers from spirit and started his career as a platform medium in Montreal. Over his lifetime he earned several degrees, including a PhD in anthropology, and had a deep affinity for animals, attracting both domestic and wild creatures.
In the early 1970s, he moved to Vancouver, continuing his mediumship work in Burnaby and the lower mainland while also working as a university professor, child care counsellor, and pioneering the use of art for child therapy as BC's first licensed Art Therapist. In 1993, while living in the Lower Mainland of BC, Paul met his life partner. |
In 2004, they moved to New Brunswick, where he gave readings in his home. In 2006, guided by spirit, they moved to Nanaimo despite knowing no one there. In Nanaimo, Paul left his counseling career to focus on helping others develop their spiritual connection both through art and mediumship. From 2007 to 2016, he led a mediumship development circle and was the guiding force behind Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre.
|
Dr. Paul was a gifted writer, artist, and teacher, celebrated for his beautiful spirit-inspired artwork. For Two Worlds, he modernized the language of the "7 Principles" of Spiritualism and designed and hand-drew the center's first logo. |
Dr. Paul developed a reputation for offering services that left people inspired, enlightened, and educated in spiritualism, delivered with laughter and joy. He believed that "the meaning of life was giving" and his joyful, energetic, and giving nature buoyed Two Worlds until his passing in 2016. Despite his passing, as spiritualists, we know we will see him again and we continue to feel his presence at Two Worlds years later - particularly when there is a lot of laughter.
After Dr. Paul's sudden passing Board members, including then-president Elizabeth Menard, kept the centre running with a roster of visiting mediums while seeking a new minister to lead the centre.
Reverend Dianne Burrows - Two Worlds Minister 2018-2020
|
Dianne was aware of Spirit from a young age. After raising a family and moving from the U.K. to Canada, she had the opportunity to develop her gifts. With years of attending advanced training such as Arthur Findlay Spiritualist College behind her, she moved from hosting mediumship development circles and offering private sittings to becoming an ordained Spiritualist Minister in 2012.
Soon after she and a friend formed the Oceanside Spiritualist Centre of Light in Nanoose Bay, B.C. After several successful years shifting priorities led them to disband. |
Dianne had been a frequent medium at Two Worlds, delighting members and guests, and in 2018, she was asked to join as the Reverend of Two Worlds Spiritualist Centre . In 2019, she began mentoring Nicole Powell until Nicole's ordination as Reverend in May 2021. At that time Dianne retired and Nicole became the Minister.
Reverend Dianne now enjoys full retirement, attending spiritualist churches and walking in the beauty and peace of Vancouver Island with her husband and family.
Reverend Dianne now enjoys full retirement, attending spiritualist churches and walking in the beauty and peace of Vancouver Island with her husband and family.
Reverend Nicole Powell - Two Worlds Minister 2021 - 2025
|
Reverend Nicole believes her three years of training in Integrative Energy Healing, and early-on health challenges and grief, led her in 2012 to become a professional Spiritual Medium and on the path to become a Reverend. Over the years, she pursued extensive training and her dedication culminated in her ordination as a Spiritualist Reverend in 2021. Reverend Nicole was warmly welcomed as the New Minister of Two Worlds, and served in the role until April 2025 when she retired to pursue her private practice.
|
Nicole is a world-class medium, known for delivering detailed evidence and moving messages. She is an inspirational speaker , a published author, and an artist who enjoys painting. When not busy with those pusuits, Nicole loves to explore the beautiful forest landscapes around Lake Cowichan, B.C., with her husband and their dog
After holding services in the Masonic Hall in Nanaimo since 2008 in 2021 Board member Dawn Menard found Two Worlds a new home at the Moose Lodge in south Nanaimo. The first service in the new hall was held on Easter 2022 and the ability to watch a service via Zoom was incorporated a year later.
In 2023 we were thrilled to have member Phillisean Byers design a fresh new logo.
Her logo incorporates two symbols important to Two Worlds and Spiritualism.
A mountain range from the first Two Worlds logo, shimmering with energy flowing around it. This is a symbolic of the of the material and spirit world co-existing, and a reminder that the energy of spirits and of the souls who have passed are with us still.
Below is the sunflower. Since around 1892 the sunflower has been an important symbol in Spiritualism as it always turns toward the light as it grows. It serves as a reminder that as spiritualists we are also being called to turn to the light of spirit to grow.
In 2024, Two Worlds awarded founding member Wendy Knoch a "Lifetime Membership Award" for her extraordinary service and dedication since helping establish the center in 2008.