Around Town: Mission Central's future, free tax clinics, churches appeal . . .

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel for those who have been lamenting the passing of Mission Central (Missions Fest).

Its last conference was held at Canada Place at the end of January – but it now appears that there may yet be a future for Mission Central – if it can overcome a major financial hurdle.

Executive Director John Hall emailed ‘Change is Coming’ February 18, saying:

Change for Mission Central is certain, but its end may not be. In the last few days we have been approached by a party who loves the legacy of Missions Fest Vancouver, appreciates the ministry direction of Mission Central, and feels compelled by God to step forward and follow Jesus for the future of the ministry. We couldn’t ask for more.

In the next few weeks we’ll be working out the transition with the new team. They don’t come with deep pockets, so your ongoing investment into the ministry is appreciated.

Paying all the bills that are connected to putting on the 2023 SERVE & CREATE conferences is a priority. There are approximately $90,000 of outstanding bills to pay.

Giving sacrificially would be in line with the faith that the new team is demonstrating, and would give them space to hear from God for the future of the ministry without distraction.

We’ll have more from them, as it becomes available. You can see the progress of our financial campaign by clicking here.

This is good news, but the sum still to be raised is considerable. Missions Fest / Mission Central has been such an asset to the church in Vancouver; may its needs be met and its future assured!

Free tax clinics

At least nine local churches are hosting free tax clinics over the next couple of months. They are all included on a Government of Canada webpage which lists such services across the nation.

It states:

Do you need help with your tax return? You may be eligible for help at a free tax clinic if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

A free tax clinic is a place where eligible people can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers. They are hosted by community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec.

There are different types of free tax clinics.

Walk-in: a clinic where your tax return is completed during advertised hours on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment needed.

Drop-off: a clinic where your income tax documents are dropped off during advertised hours. Your tax return will be completed by a volunteer, and you will pick it up at a later time. You will have to prove your identity when you pick up your tax return and documents.

By appointment: a clinic where an appointment is needed to file your tax return. Appointments can be in person or virtual.

- In person: a volunteer will do your tax return at a scheduled time.
- Virtual: a volunteer within your province or territory will do your tax return at a scheduled time by videoconference or by phone.

The churches, links to which can be found on this directory, are:

First United Church, Vancouver
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Surrey
Peace Portal Alliance Church, Surrey
St. Paul’s [Anglican] Advocacy Office, Vancouver
Surrey Alliance Church
Tenth Church
The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, Langley
Westwood Alliance Church
Westminster SDA Church

Three churches press on

Three local churches are hoping the Supreme Court of Canada will hear their case.

Riverside Calvary Chapel (Langley), Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church (Abbotsford) and Free Reformed Church (Chilliwack) are represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which posted a press release February 15 announcing . . .

. . . that three BC churches have filed a Application for Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from the decision of the BC Court of Appeal which dismissed the legal challenge to British Columbia’s prohibition on in-person worship services imposed between November 2020 and May 2021.

The three Fraser Valley churches each hold as a fundamental tenet of their beliefs that in-person assembly for religious worship is commanded by God and is an essential component of their faith. In December 2020, they held in-person services while adhering to the same safety protocols applicable to other permitted settings in BC at that time. The churches were subjected to police surveillance and charges for hosting in-person worship services.

On January 8, 2021, the three churches along with a protest organizer filed a constitutional challenge against restrictions on public protest and the prohibition on in-person worship services in Public Health Orders issued by BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The BC government subsequently unsuccessfully sought an injunction against the churches to permit police to detain anyone they believed intended to attend a religious service in violation of public health restrictions.

On March 18, 2021, Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson of the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued a decision dismissing the challenge to the ban on in-person worship services. At the hearing, the BC government had conceded that its ban on outdoor protests in place from November 19, 2020 to February 10, 2021 was unjustified and the Court declared it to be of no force or effect.

On March 31, 2021, a Notice of Appeal was filed with the BC Court of Appeal. Counsel for the churches argued in their written argument that the “categorical prohibition on in-person worship services did not minimally impair or give effect as fully as possible to the Charter rights engaged.”

The BC Court of Appeal hearing was held on March 29 – 30, 2022, with the Court issuing its decision on December 16, 2022. The Court of Appeal again dismissed the churches’ challenge to the prohibition on in-person worship services.

Go here for the full press release.

Feb 2023

Broken Chord – February 23, 2023 - February 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jesus Revolution (movie, 4 shows) – February 24, 2023 at 12:00 am
Jesus Revolution (several Cineplex Theatres) – February 24, 2023 - March 2, 2023 at All Day
Rebekah: Women of Revival Glory Gatherings 2023 – February 24, 2023 - February 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
WomanCare Pregnancy Centre: 12th Annual Trivia Night – February 24, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Healing and our Bodies with Hillary McBride – February 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jesus Revolution (movie) – February 24, 2023 at 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm
The Long, Long Night of Hope – February 25, 2023 at All Day
Business As Mission Conference 2023 – February 25, 2023 at 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Coldest Night of the Year: Cloverdale Community Kitchen – February 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Coldest Night of the Year: Langley (Salvation Army Gateway of Hope) – February 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Coldest Night of the Year: Vancouver Broadway – February 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Coldest Night of the Year: Vancouver DTES – February 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Taste of the World – February 25, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Help. Thanks. Wow: A Benefit Night for Pacific Theatre – February 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Small Glories – February 25, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
African Fountain Chapel Black History Month Service – February 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with the Dan Reynolds Band – February 26, 2023 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers with Diane Lines and Sam Ellington – February 26, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Monument of Unaging Intellect: Hagia Sophia and the Politics of Preservation – February 28, 2023 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Mar 2023

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Around Town: Mission Central’s future, free tax clinics, churches appeal . . .

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