Acclaimed author Marilynne Robinson will deliver Regent College’s Laing Lecture Series in early February.
It should have come as no surprise, but tickets for Marilynne Robinson were snapped up as soon as they became available earlier this year. Regent College is hosting her for their annual Laing Lecture Series, February 8 – 10; her topic will be Considering the Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope & Love.
Not only is Robinson one of the most talented novelists and essayists in the world, but it has become well known that her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Gilead is one of President Obama’s favourite books (He’s still president until January 20!)
Michiko Kakutani said in 2009, in The New York Times:
Mr. Obama’s love of fiction and poetry – Shakespeare’s plays, Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” and Marilynne Robinson‘s “Gilead” are mentioned on his Facebook page, along with the Bible, Lincoln’s collected writings and Emerson’s “Self Reliance“ – has not only given him a heightened awareness of language. . . .
Obama and Robinson had an extended conversation posted in the New York Review of Books November 5 and November 19, 2015.
So, it’s an honour to have Robinson at Regent College – and it’s not surprising there was a run on tickets. For those who do not yet have tickets, the situation may not be entirely hopeless. Regent College has moved Robinson from their chapel across campus to the larger Frederick Wood Theatre, for starters. And there are waitlists for each of the three evenings.
I was told by a Regent insider that even though waitlists are lengthy, they expect that some who have signed up for all three evenings may not actually go to all three. Thus it is still worth signing up for the waitlist.
Fortunately, Robinson’s literary legacy is widely available if you don’t manage to see her in person.
Plans for former Catholic HQ
Early conceptual artistic rendering of the redevelopment at 118-150 Robson Street. (Image by: GBL Architects / Amacon)
When the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver moved into its new headquarters on 33rd Avenue between Oak and Cambie two years ago, they left behind their old stomping grounds (since 1958) on Robson Street, quite close to BC Place. Now plans for their former home have been revealed.
A January 10 article in Daily Hive said:
A formal rezoning application is expected later this year to redevelop the former headquarters, the historic three-storey Northern Electric Company Building, built in two separate phases in 1928 and 1947, and the Back Forty pub – the properties from 118 to 150 Robson Street, from Beatty Street to Cambie Street.
Designed by GBL Architects, local developer Amacon is proposing a 120-room hotel within the heritage podium and a new mid-rise on the Back Forty site, and approximately 125 residential suites within a new 293-foot-tall, 30-storey tower rising from the footprint of the heritage building. The hotel lobby will be situated on Robson Street while the residential lobby will be located on Cambie Street. . . .
Only the brick facade of the heritage archdiocese building will be preserved; the interior will be gutted for new floor levels and a modern structure.
“The exterior of the building has heritage value, and is an interesting example of commercial vernacular design with Art Moderne and Classical motifs at the entrance,” reads a backgrounder for the project. . . .
A 102-bed emergency shelter operated by the Catholic Charities on the third floor of the archdiocese shelter will be relocated to a yet-to-be-determined location.
For the full story go here.
Note (added December 14): The Vancouver Sun ran an article December 12 which pointed out: “No rezoning or development applications have been made yet on a proposal to build a 30-storey residential, hotel and commercial complex adjacent to the Terry Fox Plaza downtown.”
Catholic churches in South Surrey
Holy Cross Catholic Church at Crescent Beach.
Douglas Todd reported on a more unsettled matter relating to Archdiocesan buildings in the Vancouver Sun January 9. In Storm brewing over heritage Catholic church in South Surrey, he wrote:
The white clapboard heritage church in Crescent Beach was to be formally declared just another secular building next Monday.
The decree signed by Metro Vancouver Catholic Archbishop Michael Miller declared that little Holy Cross Church on January 16 “will no longer be a sacred place,” but will be “relegated permanently to profane, but not sordid, use.”
But then the people spoke up. Hundreds of Catholics in South Surrey and White Rock sent letters to the archbishop pleading that the character church be allowed to continue to serve the roughly 85 members who still attend mass each Sunday. The petitioners last week won a reprieve for Holy Cross Church, which was built in 1942. . . .
All parties now await a ruling from the Vatican.
For the full story – which also involves Star of the Sea Church in White Rock and a proposed mega-church and school complex at Good Shepherd Church on 150th Street in South Surrey – go here.
Killarney Seniors Centre
This preliminary drawing of the Killarney Seniors Centre is on the City of Vancouver website.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Killarney Seniors Centre took place January 9. Sandra Thomas noted in a January 11 Vancouver Courier article that the project has been a long time coming:
Because it took so long for the seniors centre to actually move forward, many past and present politicians were on hand for the ceremony, including acting-mayor Raymond Louie, park board vice-chair Erin Shum, park board commissioners Stuart Mackinnon, John Coupar and Sarah Kirby-Yung, city councillors Melissa De Genova and George Affleck, former park board commissioners Allan De Genova and Aaron Jasper, as well as Wai Young, former MP for Vancouver South.
Suzanne Anton, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview, noted the seniors centre has been on her radar for years, first as a park board commissioner in 2002, then as a city councillor in 2005, and finally as member of the provincial government.
Several people were quoted as giving credit to long-time community activist Keith Jacobson, who passed away last June. For more on his activities (and faith) go here.
Jan 2017
Making Peace with Creation: Pastors and Church Leaders Seminar – January 12, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pmImago Mundi Poetry Reading: Loren Wilkinson – January 12, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Provincial Election Accountability Assembly – January 12, 2017 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Film Screening: Making Peace with Creation – January 12, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel UBC – January 13, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Eighth Annual Improv Comedy Benefit – January 13, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
M2/W2 Association: New Volunteer Training – January 14, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Willingdon School of the Bible: Registration Deadline for Winter Term 2017 – January 15, 2017 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Karen Graves – January 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Linda Szentes and Jazzlinks – January 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Person, the Pastor & the Psychiatrist – January 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017 – January 18, 2017 - January 25, 2017 at All Day
Darrell Johnson: Preaching Workshop: Preaching Romans – January 18, 2017 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
EFC Webinar: How Do Our Churches Grow in 2017? – January 18, 2017 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service – January 18, 2017 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Lighthouse Voyage's Freedom Gala – January 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Adele Wilding & Dan Reynolds Trio – January 18, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Calvin College January Series (Webcast / 15 Talks) – January 19, 2017 - January 24, 2017 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Kingdom Pearls: Pre-conference Workshop – January 19, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CYWC Vancouver – January 20, 2017 - January 21, 2017 at All Day
Justice, Advocacy and Spiritual Practice with Judy Graves – January 20, 2017 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Vision to Reality – January 20, 2017 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Doing Kingdom Work in the Secular Workplace – January 20, 2017 - January 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Kingdom Pearls: CWC Women's Conference – January 20, 2017 - January 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Praying the Psalms – January 20, 2017 - January 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 3:30 pm
BC Christian Academy's Annual Pancake Open House – January 21, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Family on Mission with Mike & Sally Breen – January 21, 2017 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Ecumenical Outreach to the Homeless – January 21, 2017 at 1:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Testament of a Naked Man: A Contemporary Dramatization of the Gospel of Mark – January 21, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ember – January 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Laughter and Life in Poetry and Music – January 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Norm Quinn's Q5 – January 22, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – January 22, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gracia Burnham – January 22, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Leaders' Series: Dr Ronnie (Chuang Rang) Gao - The Advanced Art of Market Segmentation: Do you really know your audience? – January 24, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service – January 25, 2017 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Allyson Jule: Classroom Silences – Why Saying Nothing at All Can Ruin a Perfectly Good Education – January 25, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
A Reconciling Hope: The Regent Community Exhibit - Opening Reception – January 25, 2017 at 4:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Jay Bartlett: Supernatural Jesus Seminar - Removing Demons & Healing Hearts – January 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service – January 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service – January 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Marcos Flo Quartet – January 25, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Unity of Spirits – January 26, 2017 - January 27, 2017 at All Day
Cambodia Night with the Knights – January 26, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Jay Bartlett: Supernatural Jesus Seminar - Removing Demons & Healing Hearts – January 26, 2017 - January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Noah Derksen 'In Search of the Way' Album Release Concert – January 26, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cliff Prang: The Power of Looking Stupid – January 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Missions Fest 2017 – January 27, 2017 - January 29, 2017 at All Day
Missions Fest Film Festival – January 27, 2017 - January 29, 2017 at All Day
Living Proof Live with Beth Moore, Worship by Travis Cottrell – January 27, 2017 - January 28, 2017 at 5:30 pm - 12:30 am
Rev Conference 2017: Without Warning – January 27, 2017 - January 28, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Chapel North Shore – January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Surrey – January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Tri-Cities – January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Vancouver – January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Menno Simons Role in the Reformation – January 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Citizen Jane – January 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Noah Derksen / Jared Cropley – January 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Reconciling the Principled with the Practical: Ethics in Modern Medicine – January 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Brentwood Concert Series: The Canadian Guitar Quartet – January 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Chamber Choir: Brahms Requiem – January 27, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
UBC Alzheimer Update 2017 – January 28, 2017 at 8:45 am - 12:30 pm
Jay Bartlett: Supernatural Jesus Seminar - Removing Demons & Healing Hearts – January 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Film Screening: She Has a Name – January 28, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Andrea Menard – January 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Hot Mammas – January 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Quintessential – January 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Kairos Course: Cantonese (7 sessions) – January 31, 2017 at All Day
Hope for the Sold: Over 18 - A Documentary About Pornography – January 31, 2017 at 7:15 pm - 9:30 pm
Feb 2017
Business By the Book: Shannon MacDonald – February 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pmJazz Evensong: Linda Szentes and Jazzlinks – February 1, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Go Conference: The X Factor – February 2, 2017 - February 5, 2017 at All Day
A Kind of Alaska by Harold Pinter – February 2, 2017 - February 4, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Interfaith Service of Prayer – February 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Switchfoot / Relient K Concert – February 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hope for the Sold: Over 18 - A Documentary About Pornography – February 3, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
No Regrets Conference – February 4, 2017 at All Day
BC Christian Academy's Annual Pancake Open House – February 4, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dr. Paul Pearce: Making a Difference! Tapping the Ministry Potential of Maturing Adults – February 4, 2017 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Bible, Sex and a Changing World – February 4, 2017 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Understanding and Caring for Our Mental Health – February 4, 2017 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Cloverdale Catholic School Open House – February 5, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Andrea Superstein – February 5, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Perspectives Course (Sunday evenings) – February 5, 2017 at 6:15 pm - 9:15 pm
Festival of Hope: Momentum Prayer & Worship Event – February 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
People Over Pixels with Andy Steiger – February 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Perspectives Course (Monday evenings) – February 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Kairos Course (Tuesday evenings, Saturdays) – February 7, 2017 at All Day
Perspectives Course (Tuesday evenings) – February 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Multiply Conference 2017 – February 8, 2017 - February 9, 2017 at All Day
Luis Palau: Doing the Work of an Evangelist (part of Multiply Conference) – February 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Laing Lectures: Marilynne Robinson - Considering the Theological Virtues – February 8, 2017 - February 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Deanna Knight & Friends – February 8, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver LeaderImpact Forum with Jonathan Friesen – February 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
New Westminster LeaderImpact Forum with Jonathan Friesen – February 10, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
HI5 Valentine's Mixer with Dr. Timothy Sexton – February 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
How Great Thou Art: The Sacred and Inspirational Songs of Elvis Presley – February 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
History of Colonization in Canada – February 11, 2017 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mental Health Recovery in Relationship – February 11, 2017 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Christian Life & Witness Course – February 11, 2017 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm