Around Town: Kinder Morgan / Praise, Making Peace with Creation, A Rocha . . .

These are dark times, says Jason Wood, but he remains hopeful.

These are dark times, says Jason Wood, but he remains hopeful as he sees many people of faith rallying to protect creation.

A couple of weeks ago (November 19) Jason Wood and members of Earthkeepers joined the large Climate Justice March which began at city hall.

A few days later he wrote:

Yes, these are dark times. Promises made by Canada’s political leaders to take decisive action on climate and a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples seem now like little more than smoke and mirrors. Despite anguished protest and rigorous fact-based analysis, we watch one destructive project approved after another.

And that was before Trudeau’s announcement that the Liberals are approving Kinder Morgan! But his main point was that he still has hope:

On Saturday, I joined with Christians and other people of faith from across Vancouver and its home in Coast Salish territories [at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, just east of city hall on 10th]. We came from a diversity of traditions – Catholic, Protestant, evangelical, Quaker and more – but were united by agonizing desire to encounter anew the Creator.

We needed strength for the urgent work of loving and protecting the rest of creation. We sang. We lamented. We prayed. Then at the heart of our service, we gathered for communion, re-membering Christ’s body broken for us, now living in us, making us one.

This worship service took place at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church before the march.

This worship service took place at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church before the Climate Justice March.

But my favourite moment was when we praised. At one point, we were invited to give thanks for the gifts of creation, following each statement with the declaration: “Praise be to you, O Lord.”

In the outpouring that followed, it was like my soul was borne upward on waves of praise, cresting higher and higher, until I could only gape wonderingly around me at a horizon saturated in the glory and majesty of God. Rocks, sun, wind, belugas, trees, salmon, bacteria – everything was already rejoicing in a song of praise. And we simple, slow humans were finally (finally!) joining in.

For his whole reflection, go here.

Following Trudeau’s announcement, Wood wrote:

Today is just one more reminder that our government hears the voices of fossil fuel industry loud and clear.

But I believe we have a more powerful voice. Last weekend, alongside thousands of Indigenous peoples, public officials, concerned citizens and other people of faith, I pledged:

“With our voice, in the courts or the streets, on the water or the land.
Whatever it takes, we will stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.”

Making Peace with Creation

Making Peace with Creation will premiere December 7 at Regent College.

Making Peace with Creation will premiere December 7 at Regent College.

The timing couldn’t be better. Next Wednesday (December 7, Making Peace with Creation will premiere at Regent College.

The film featuring retired Regent College professor Loren Wilkinson is sure to add some welcome perspective to the heightened tensions surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s thumbs up for the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Wilkinson wrote a very thoughtful piece (Kinder Morgan protests raise serious questions for Christians) on Church for Vancouver almost exactly two years ago, as people were being arrested for protesting Kinder Morgan on Burnaby Mountain.
 
He said, in part:
 
The protestors are clearly operating out of deep conviction, but breaking the law is serious business – especially in Canada, where the tradition of civil disobedience is not as well-established as it is south of the border. . . .

My own brush with civil disobedience was 20 years ago, when my wife, Mary Ruth, and our daughter and I were among the 800 or so people arrested in the protests about logging in the Clayoquot Sound area on Vancouver Island. I still feel that was the right thing to do. . . .

I must say that if those protests and arrests were appropriate then, in attempting to change BC logging practices (and in that they were partially successful), such action is far more appropriate now, and the issues even more important.

This whole topic is way too big and complicated to talk about in a few paragraphs, but let me make a few points which might help us all as we think and talk about the Kinder Morgan protests, the pipelines, Canada’s increasing importance as an oil producer, the health of the planet and the relevance to all of this to our frequent prayer: that God’s kingdom will come ‘on earth’ as in heaven. . . .

No doubt Making Peace with Creation (written and presented by Wilkinson, directed by fellow Regent professor Iwan Russell-Jones) will flesh out some of those themes.
 
The promotional material from Regent College points out:

Poet and theologian Loren Wilkinson has spent his life thinking, teaching and campaigning about the environment – or creation, as he prefers to call it. . . .

From their home on Galiano Island he and his wife, Mary-Ruth Wilkinson have encouraged generations of students to think long and hard about the meaning of creation and of our responsibility as creatures within it. . . .

Through personal reflections (set both in the beautiful Gulf Islands and Vancouver), stimulating conversations with leading thinkers, artists and activists, and specially created art work, together with extracts from his poetry, Loren Wilkinson presents his own compelling and beautiful vision for human life in the 21st century.

A couple of other environment-related events this weekend:

A Rocha at Christmas

Ordinary Time will have concerts at A Rocha and three other locations this weekend.

Ordinary Time will have concerts at A Rocha and three other locations this weekend.

A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre in south Surrey is hosting three events over the next few days:

* Christmas Shopping at Brooksdale December 1 – 2, 5 – 9 pm.

Shopping locally and buying fair trade reduces our impact on creation and supports local economies. Therefore, everything we sell is either locally produced, fairly traded or promotes an environmental ethic.

* A Rocha Christmas Open House on Saturday (December 3), 1 – 4 pm:

Bring your family to Brooksdale Environmental Centre for some good holiday cheer. Join us for carolling by the fireplace, site tours, plus hot drinks and treats for sale.

* Ordinary Time in Concert on Saturday evening, starting at 7 pm:

Celebrate the Advent season with the original bluegrass and folk tunes of Ordinary Time. Enjoy good cheer and wonderful music in a house concert setting.

Unfortunately, space is limited at Brooksdale. All is not lost, however, if you can’t get in there. Ordinary Time (Jill McFadden, Ben Keyes, Peter La Grand) will also be playing an album release concert December 2 at Regent College, where they first met, in a ‘History of Christian Music’ class. This weekend marks their 10 year anniversary/reunion, a decade and a day after they played their first show.

They’ll also have two concerts December 4, at First Baptist in the afternoon and St. John’s Vancouver in the evening.

Vespers for Standing Rock

standingrockvespers1Richmond Eastern Catholic Church will host a Solidarity with Standing Rock Vesper for Creation on Sunday (December 4), at 6 pm.

They say:

Join us in prayer for a just and irenic solution to the concerns of the First Nations at Standing Rock. Come to pray for inspiration and repentance to be good stewards of God’s creation.

“Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance. For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.” (Isaiah 63)

Dec 2016

disPlace: Refugee Stories in Their Own Words – December 1, 2016 - December 3, 2016 at All Day
The Salvation Army's 15th Annual Hope in the City Breakfast – December 1, 2016 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Christmas Shopping at Brooksdale – December 1, 2016 - December 2, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Coptic Jesus: Book Release + Art Show – December 1, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concert – December 1, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Both Sides of Christmas: Youth at Risk in Our City – December 2, 2016 at 7:30 am - 8:30 am
ReImagine Vancouver – December 2, 2016 - December 3, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Ty Gibson: Reimagining God – December 2, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Book Launch: Hopeful Realism in Urban Ministry by Barry Morris – December 2, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Christmas Tales – December 2, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Tales with Justyn Rees & Russ Rosen – December 2, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Home for Christmas – December 2, 2016 - December 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ordinary Time 10th Year Anniversary & Record Release – December 2, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Holy is God's Name Advent Retreat – December 3, 2016 at 9:15 am - 12:15 pm
Chapel Movement: Alpha Youth Film Series - Synced Spring Launch – December 3, 2016 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Christmas Fair & Craft Market – December 3, 2016 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Richmond Kairos Fair Trade Fair – December 3, 2016 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
A Rocha Christmas Open House – December 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Evangelistic World Outreach Annual Christmas Banquet – December 3, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Christmas Tales with Justyn Rees & Russ Rosen – December 3, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Christmas Concert – December 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ordinary Time in Concert: A Fundraiser for Brooksdale – December 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Children's Choir Presents Harps & Angels – December 3, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concert – December 3, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
St. Augustine's Christmas Fair – December 4, 2016 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christmas at the Chan Centre: Featuring Trinity Western University Choirs – December 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Kairos Course: Cantonese Facilitator Training – December 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ordinary Time 10th Year Anniversary & Record Release – December 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concert, with Winter Harp Ensemble – December 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Ecumenical Advent Service – December 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Phoenix Chamber Choir: Christmas Joys – December 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advent Carol Service – December 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers – December 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Mighty Fraser Big Band, Steve Maddock & Friends – December 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advent Concert with Ordinary Time – December 4, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Solidarity with Standing Rock Vesper for Creation – December 4, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Christmas with Kelita – December 4, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas Tales – December 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Tales with Justyn Rees & Russ Rosen – December 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Good News, Great Joy: A Christmas Concert – December 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Music@Queens Concert Series: 19th Annual Carols and Bells – December 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Phoenix Chamber Choir: Christmas Joys – December 4, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Farewell Chapel in Honour of Rikk Watts – December 6, 2016 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Celebrating St. Nicholas – December 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship Annual Christmas Luncheon – December 7, 2016 at 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Kairos Blanket Exercise – December 7, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Mission Possible Gala – December 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Film Premiere: Making Peace with Creation – December 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Darlene Ketchum & Bill Sample – December 7, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Journey – December 8, 2016 - December 11, 2016 at All Day
The Metzger Collection: Maps and the Age of Exploration – December 8, 2016 - December 9, 2016 at All Day
Come and See: The Journey to the Manger – December 8, 2016 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Gifts of Light: Songs in the Night 2016 – December 9, 2016 - December 11, 2016 at All Day
Churches Rally Against Racism / Celebration of Unity – December 9, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Gungor Acoustic Christmas Tour – December 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Alex Browne Reads 'A Christmas Carol' – December 9, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas Strings And Voices – December 9, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Something to Treasure: A Good Noise Christmas – December 9, 2016 - December 10, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concert – December 9, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Chamber Choir: Handel's Messiah – December 9, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Singing Christmas Tree 2016 – December 10, 2016 - December 11, 2016 at All Day
Quiet Day for Advent: St. Hildegard's Sanctuary – December 10, 2016 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Artisan Christmas Craft Market – December 10, 2016 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Living our Faith and being Medicine for the People – December 10, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
North Shore Community Christmas Dinner – December 10, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wagner Hills Christmas Banquet – December 10, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ember – December 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir Christmas Concert – December 10, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Something to Treasure: A Good Noise Christmas – December 11, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas Carol Sing-a-long – December 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Jillian Lebeck – December 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Marcus Mosely & Chorale – December 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Mark Glanville Quartet – December 11, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
"Hark, the Herald Angel" Children's Christmas Musical – December 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: Christmas Music Born A Saviour, Born A King – December 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Good Lives for Animals: Biology Meets Theology – December 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Brass and Organ Concert – December 13, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman Christmas Tour – December 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Vancouver Saxophone Jazztet – December 14, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Friedrich Peter: A Savior Has Been Born to You – December 15, 2016 - December 21, 2016 at All Day
Love Has Come: A Christmas Musical – December 15, 2016 - December 19, 2016 at All Day
Timberline Country Christmas – December 15, 2016 - December 20, 2016 at 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Prayer Service in the Face of Racism – December 15, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Holy Mo!: A Christmas Show! – December 15, 2016 - December 31, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Christmas / Chor Leoni – December 16, 2016 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Hi5s Christmas Dinner and Mixer – December 16, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Tales with Justyn Rees & Russ Rosen – December 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Musica Intima: Joy to the World! – December 16, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas / Chor Leoni – December 16, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Vancouver Chamber Choir: The Christmas Story – December 16, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Surviving the Holidays: GriefShare Seminar – December 17, 2016 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cantata Singers Concert – December 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cross Procession in the Face of Racism – December 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sing-a-Long Messiah – December 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Christmas / Chor Leoni – December 17, 2016 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Home for Christmas – December 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Marcus Mosely Chorale: Peace on Earth, with Russ Rosen & Justyn Rees – December 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas / Chor Leoni – December 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Home for Christmas – December 18, 2016 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Festive Cantatas: J.S. Bach Magnificat – December 18, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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2 comments for “Around Town: Kinder Morgan / Praise, Making Peace with Creation, A Rocha . . .

  1. Thank you for a very relevant and timely article on the crisis we face in terms of creation and some groups in the church who are doing something about it.

    May the church wake from its comfortable, often complicit slumber and start caring for God’s good creation, as humankind was commissioned to do right from Genesis 2 onward.

  2. Timely comments which remind us God is Sovereign, and that this is the season when followers of Jesus celebrate His Birth and remind us He sent his son to be born of a Virgin woman. CS Lewis admonishes us to get a sense of it, we might contemplate becoming . . . “crab or slug.” I also read read Rick Warren this morning, who reminds me to “stop trying, and start trusting.”

    God does not need our help with the His environment and creation, He invites our trust and obedience. With this trust comes a divine stewardship of the resources and assets of this world. Environmental protection is a man’s cheap brand of this stewardship. Without the right care it can be misconstrued into idolatry.

    The Creator is so much more than the creation. Pray for our leaders this Advent season. Pray for Peace. Keep criticism, politics and political correctness out of it, remembering God treasures our obedience far above our help, in protecting His Environment.

    He is the landlord. We are the tenants.

    Blessed Christmas 2016 to all.

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