Ross Lockhart is seeking help from fellow leaders to gain more insight into “the changing nature of Christian community and witness in Vancouver.”
Are you “in the leadership of a Christian church, community, network or other Christian organization in Vancouver?”
In that case, Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at St. Andrew’s Hall at UBC, would really appreciate it if you would fill out a survey on “the changing nature of Christian community and witness in Vancouver.”
Lockhart is working with a group of researchers in Amsterdam, Boston and Sydney on a project looking at Christian witness in Western cities.
Together, they have developed a common survey to test across different urban centres. The boundaries of Lockhart’s study are limited to the City of Vancouver (that is, not Burnaby, Richmond, etc).
Here is some background on the Vancouver Christian Community and Initiatives Survey:
We will be asking you questions about your own viewpoints as well as that of your “initiative” (a term we use to cover a variety of Christian communities from historic churches to church plants or house churches to intentional Christian communities and missions).
Questions will be in the broad categories of Facts and Figures, Engagement with the City, Motivation, Culture and Mission.
The information will be used in an international research project into trends and developments within Christianity in Western cities. By this we want to help Christian communities, churches and organizations with inspiring examples and models.
Go here for the survey, which takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.
Heart to Heart Haiti
CBC Radio Early Edition host Stephen Quinn spoke with Rebecca Honorat of Heart to Heart Haiti February 19 about how members of a visiting mission team had fared during the recent turmoil in Haiti. Travel has been dangerous and many expatriates and tourists have been evacuated.
She spoke with him from Grand-Goâve in Haiti, where she lives with her husband Renel, who is Haitian, and children. She is from Surrey and the ministry is based in Abbotsford.
Noting that a dozen medical professionals had returned to Abbotsford from Haiti February 17, Quinn asked her how things were now. She said they had quietened down quite a bit, but also that Grand-Goâve itself, which is about 50 kilometres southwest of Port-au-Prince, was not as bad as the road to the capital.
She said that even though the team members arrived February 6 and the troubles began the next day, they had been able to help more than 1,000 patients at seven medical clinics by motorcycle. The team had actually been scheduled to leave February 13, but their flight was cancelled.
As far as the reason for the turmoil, she said:
The people are upset because the cost of living has really sky-rocketed, and this isn’t a new problem for Haiti. . . . People are upset with the government, they’re upset really because the cost of living is so high they’re struggling to feed their families.
Go here for the CBC interview, starting at 2:31:24. Honorat wrote a couple of updates February 16 and 17 as well.
New St. Paul’s has deep roots
Every media outlet carried stories related to St. Paul’s Hospital last week. For example, under the headline ‘New $1.9B St. Paul’s Hospital gets green light,’ CBC News reported:
The new St. Paul’s Hospital planned for East Vancouver near Main Street and Terminal Avenue is now expected to open in 2026 and cost an estimated $1.91 billion, according to an announcement by the BC government. . . .
The existing St. Paul’s, which includes some buildings that are over 100 years old, is in need of extensive seismic upgrading. The owner, Providence Health Care, says the site will eventually be sold, with proceeds going toward the construction of the new facility.
The new St. Paul’s will be built on an 18-acre site at 1002 Station Street and will have capacity for up to 548 beds, an increase of 115 beds.
Fiona Dalton, president and CEO of Providence Health Care, said she expects shovels in the ground sometime in 2020.
According to a news release, the facility “will continue to serve the people of Vancouver and all of BC as a renowned, full-service, acute-care hospital and integrated health campus.”
For the full story go here, and for the Providence Health Care news release go here.
The history of Providence Health Care stretches back more than a century.
In the 1890s the Sisters of Providence opened St. Paul’s Hospital, a 25-bed “cottage” on the path to English Bay.The Sisters had arrived several years before, having been told the stories of suffering in this burgeoning coastal city. When they arrived, they listened to the community and made a plan to meet the needs expressed. This – in a nutshell – is the story of Providence Health Care. . . .
Go here for some more background.
BC’s richest man, Jim Pattison, made a record $75 million donation to St. Paul’s last spring. His roots in Pentecostal Christianity are well known, as is the fact that he donated very generously to Pacific Academy in Surrey.
Animals & ethics
David Clough
Both Regent College and the Vancouver Humane Society will be hosting a leading expert on animals and ethics next week. The later describes his visit in this way:
We are pleased to host Dr. David Clough while he is promoting the second volume of his ground-breaking On Animals, the first volume of which has been called “indisputably the most important and comprehensive theological treatment of animals to have appeared in any language at any time in the Christian tradition.”
What can Christianity and its ethical heritage teach us about the plight of animals today? In On Animals Vol 2: Theological Ethics, Dr. Clough examines the human use of animals for food, for clothing, for labour, as research subjects, for sport and entertainment, as pets or companions, and human impacts on wild animals.
The result is both a state-of-the-art account of what humans are doing to other animals, and a persuasive argument that Christians in particular have strong faith-based reasons to acknowledge the significance of the issues raised and change their practice in response.
Dr. David Clough is Professor of Theological Ethics in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester, and Visiting Professor at the Centre for Animal Welfare at the University of Winchester.
He is the Faith in Food Fellow with Farm Forward, and in 2015 he founded Creature Kind, which seeks to equip churches and Christian organizations with the information and tools they need to make the world better for farmed animals.
Clough’s two lectures are:
- Regent College, February 25: On Animals Volume II – the Challenge of Christian Animal Ethics
- Library Square Conference Centre, February 26: Animals and Ethics in the 21st Century
Feb 2019
Children of God – February 20, 2019 - March 10, 2019 at All DayChurch Planting in Post-Christian Soil: a call for papers – February 21, 2019 at All Day
Dark Glass Theatre: The Amish Project – February 21, 2019 - February 23, 2019 at 12:00 am
Canada in Crisis: Mobilizing the Church for Action – Pastors Forum – February 21, 2019 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Andrea Loewen Book Launch for 'Feeling Better – A Field Guide to Liking Yourself' – February 21, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Shad – February 21, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Christopher Yuan Conference, with Dr. Leon & Angela Yuan – February 22, 2019 - February 24, 2019 at All Day
Work as Worship Retreat – February 22, 2019 at 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Christianity at a Crossroads with Clarence Janzen – February 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Coldest Night of the Year – February 23, 2019 at All Day
Delta Prayer Breakfast – February 23, 2019 at 8:15 am - 11:00 am
Journey Home Refugee Support: Basic Training – February 23, 2019 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
Screen Time (Simulcast): Parenting in a Media Saturated Culture – February 23, 2019 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Singable Saturdays: Mozart Edition – February 23, 2019 at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Tensions in the Bible: The Development of Catholic-Jewish Relations in the Context of Biblical Interpretation – February 23, 2019 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christianity at a Crossroads with Clarence Janzen – February 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Healing Night with Pastor Anthony Greco – February 23, 2019 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Ember – February 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reverb: Songs, Poems, Stories – February 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
What About the Dinosaurs? with Clarence Janzen – February 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Young Street Vocal Band – February 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Worship Invades Coquitlam – February 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Grand Reopening & Celebration of African Fountain Chapel Vancouver (AME) – February 24, 2019 at 11:00 am - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers @ St. Andrew's United Church – February 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley: Olaf de Shield (Black History Month) – February 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dedication Service: Central Presbyterian Church – February 24, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kairos Cantonese Course – February 25, 2019 at All Day
David Clough: On Animals Volume II – the Challenge of Christian Animal Ethics – February 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Stephen Fearing – February 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Tuesday Morning with John Stetch – February 26, 2019 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Open House: Mission to Seafarers – February 26, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Animals and Ethics in the 21st Century with Dr. David Clough, sponsored by Vancouver Humane Society – February 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mixing Science & the Mystics (part 2) – February 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Khari Wendell McClelland: We Now Recognize – February 28, 2019 at All Day
Hans Boersma: Lectio Divina – Renewing Our Practice – February 28, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Bryanna Russell: Making Womb – Opening Reception – February 28, 2019 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mar 2019
Apologetics Canada Conference 2019 – March 1, 2019 - March 2, 2019 at All DayWorld Day of Prayer: Ecumenical Worship Service – March 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Doing Family Right Conference with Dr. Dave Currie – March 1, 2019 - March 2, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Mini Choi: The Twelve Apostels – March 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tactics Evangelism Training – March 2, 2019 at 8:30 am - 2:15 pm
Finding God in the Dark: Lenten Retreat – March 2, 2019 at 9:15 am - 3:30 pm
Pastors Brunch with Bill Wiese – March 2, 2019 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Taste of the World – March 2, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Habib Koité and Bassekou Kouyate – March 2, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Mary McCampbell: "This is the Way the World Ends": The Acopalypse in Contemporary Film, Fiction & Television – March 6, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Darrel Falk & Todd Wood: Evolutionary Creation and Young Earth Creationism (Separate Talks) – March 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Darrel Falk & Todd Wood: The Fool, the Heretic & the God Whose Standard is Love – March 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mirror Dance Production: Before is Now – March 8, 2019 at All Day
MHM Book Launch: Janet Boldt – March 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Opening to God in Silence: A Lenten Weekend Retreat – March 8, 2019 - March 10, 2019 at 5:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Spark 2019 Preteen Gathering – March 8, 2019 - March 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 4:00 pm
André Valadão: Brazilian Ministry Concert – March 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CFaN Impact Breakfast with Peter Vandenberg – March 9, 2019 at 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Declining Churches in Canada: How Can We Respond? – March 9, 2019 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
DivorceCare (Saturday mornings) – March 9, 2019 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Health Seminar on "CANNABIS" (in Cantonese) – March 9, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Chris Tomlin Holy Roar Tour – March 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Climate Change Presentation, Prayer – March 10, 2019 at 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
An Evening with John Brierley: The Camino – a Path of Awakening – March 10, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 10, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Film Screening: Between a Shoe and the Roof – March 13, 2019 at 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Dennis Danielson: Ethics & the Logic of Naturalism – March 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Reconciliation and the Indian Act – March 13, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
20th Annual Mel Smith Lecture: Preston Manning – March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Young People and the Church? A Conversation – March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
G. Peter Kaye Lectures: John Bell of the Iona Community – March 15, 2019 - March 17, 2019 at 12:00 am
CampsBC Celebration Banquet & Fundraiser – March 15, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Orpheus Choir: Celtic Connections – March 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Inspiring Dominican Saints: Pope St. Pius V – March 16, 2019 at 9:15 am - 12:15 pm
Beyond Snakes & Shamrocks: Missional Leadership Lessons from St. Patrick – March 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir: Celtic Connections – March 17, 2019 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Seven Mile Story – March 17, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bryanna Russell: Making Womb – March 21, 2019 - March 22, 2019 at All Day
Fireside Apologetics: Dr. Paul Chamberlain - Why Do People Stop Believing and What Can We Do About It? – March 21, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Geneva Lecture: Jim Mullins – Gardening in Babylon: Work, Calling & Reimagining the Mundane – March 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jesus Freak – March 21, 2019 - March 23, 2019 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
PACLIFE Day – March 22, 2019 at All Day
Life on the Margins: a Workshop in the Downtown Eastside – March 22, 2019 - March 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, UK – March 22, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Pornography Unveiled – March 23, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ember – March 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
From Bach to Bachianas – March 24, 2019 at 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Agape Worship Night – March 24, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
SongStage with Ivan Boudreau – March 25, 2019 - March 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm