Around Town: Preaching in a New Key, welcoming Pope, pastor’s killer not guilty

When Mark Glanville introduces his new book at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church next week (May 23) he won’t just be using words.

Describing the gathering as “an artistic book event,” he says, “Come hear my jazz trio; and learn to tell stories with the imagination!”

Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities (InterVarsity Press, March 2025) might sound a bit too specialized for the average reader, but Glanville says the evening is not just for preachers:

If you are a preacher, this evening can reorient your practice. If you would like to learn about preaching, come and be inspired! And if you will never preach – ‘over my dead body’ – this evening can still help you consider how to nourish faith in Vancouver today.”

He adds:

How can preaching nourish faith in post-Christian communities? We will immerse in the arts to evoke the creativity and vision that can infuse our preaching. [Our] jazz trio will be performing. Actor Ben Corns will teach skills for imaginative story telling. Artist Ella Ensheimer will speak about her process of creating illustrations for the book.

The music alone would be worth the trip, but the book has also been well received. In Englewood Review of Books, Rob O’Lynn wrote, “Overall, this book is nothing short of incredible and beautiful.”

After referring to traditional work on preaching, much of which “has been excellent and needed,” he said:

Enter Mark Glanville, an Australian minister and Hebrew Bible scholar, now leading [the Centre for Missional Leadership at UBC]. And he flies out of the gate, setting the reality before the reader that syrupy Ted Talks that are devoid of hope and purpose – and most importantly, of scripture – are not cutting it.

Preaching must push us toward a deeper exploration of faith (Part 1), must accept that it is an artisan craft (Part 2) that is steeped in tradition (Part 3), and thrives on beauty (Part 4).

Through a mixture of engaging dialogue that borders on playful, hand-drawn graphics and numerous side conversations, Glanville keeps the reader engaged throughout this new exploration of what many think to be an old conversation.

Welcoming Pope Leo XIV

Local Catholics have joined in welcoming the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, as Pope Leo XIV – the 267th successor of St. Peter. And some of them have actually met him, or were in Rome when he was chosen.

A May 8 article in The B.C. Catholic began at the top:

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, was celebrating Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Ladner for pro-life pilgrims preparing to travel to the March for Life in Victoria when he heard the news Thursday morning.

Praising Pope Leo XIV’s missionary background, theological depth, and leadership, Archbishop Miller called the new Pope’s name choice – Leo – a likely signal of his commitment to Catholic social teaching.

He noted that he was celebrating Mass Sacred Heart, an Augustinian parish and the same religious community Pope Leo once led. “I believe this is a providential sign for our local Church,” he said, “and a reminder of how closely united we are, across continents and communities, in the Body of Christ.”

But others – Deacons Richard Chau, Wilfred Victoria and Zak Santiago – had met Cardinal Prevost during the Jubilee of Deacons in Rome, just a few weeks before he became pope:

[Deacon Chau] said the Cardinal reminded them that deacons are not “half-priests” but are called to a primary ministry of service, administration, and charity – especially to the poor and sick. . . .

Deacon Victoria said the Cardinal made a strong impression. “He struck me as one very intense and one who connects to his audience,” he said. “When you talk to him, he is with you.”

Deacon Santiago also reflected on the encounter, calling it “wonderful to meet our new Pope in Rome,” where he had the chance to ask Cardinal Prevost a theological question about the evolving role of the diaconate. “I found the new Pope to be very thoughtful, wisely reflective, with a global and modern perspective,” he said. “It was quite an honour.”

At leas three other clergy were in Rome to welcome the new pope in person (well, in person, at a distance): Father Richard Conlin was in St. Peter’s Square, Father Guy Zidago was attending a lecture at the Angelicum and “Father Paul Goo, currently working at the Vatican, witnessed the white smoke from a terrace above his office in the Apostolic Palace.”

Go here for the full article.

Pastor’s killer not guilty

A Richmond family is very unhappy with a recent court decision not to convict the man who was responsible for the fatal collision May 2, 2019 which killed Pastor Tom Cheung, who had been lead pastor at Pacific Grace MB Church in Port Moody.

On May 2, 2019, Cheung was the victim of a fatal crash at the Peace Arch border, where his minivan was struck by a Porsche SUV going 120 km/h in a 30 km/h zone The vehicle was driven by then 34 year old Washington State resident Gurbinder Singh.

A report posted on CBC News May 9 began:

The family of a B.C. pastor killed in a fiery crash near the Peace Arch border crossing says justice hasn’t been served after the man implicated in the death was found not criminally responsible for his actions.

A B.C. provincial court heard that a Washington state man was driving 120 kilometres per hour in May of 2019 when his vehicle slammed into Rev. Tom Cheung’s car, which then burst into flames.

Cheung’s widow, Athens Cheung, said on Friday that after six years of waiting for a trial, the accused, Gurbinder Singh, was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder.

Cheung’s son, Benjamin, says his family was at the court on April 17 when the judge made the ruling, and the man was released.

The family says they don’t understand why he was simply freed, they were never given the RCMP report, don’t have the reasons for judgment and don’t know why the B.C. Prosecution Service rejected an appeal.

The prosecution service said in a statement Friday that the judge ruled the Crown had proven the physical act that constitutes offence beyond a reasonable doubt but that the accused had raised a reasonable doubt regarding the “mental intent” of the man’s actions and therefore acquitted him.

A Richmond News article noted:

As of May 9, Cheung’s surviving family members hadn’t received a reasoning for the judgment, a written court transcription, an RCMP report, nor an explanation of why an appeal will not be filed.

“Such treatment completely lacks explanation and transparency to both the victim’s family and the general public,” said Athens.

“Is this fair? Is it just? Does the public really have no right to be informed?” . . .

“We hope that by speaking out this time, we can prompt the judicial system to make necessary reviews and reforms, and at the same time draw public attention to the psychiatric medical system, especially issues such as the driver’s licence issuance system for mentally ill patients,” Athens [Tom Cheung’s wife] said.

Speaking to the media and community, Athens expressed her hope that by sharing her family’s frustrating journey for answers since 2019, future families and victims could avoid “this difficult and sad predicament.”

Go here for the CBC News article and here for the Richmond News article.