Around Town: Christian Seasons, Burnaby Alliance, Rivendell Housing . . .

The cover of the Christian Seasons Calendar produced by University Hill Congregation.

A local church has again released its unique calendar, which “unfolds the Christian year through scripture, liturgical colour and artwork.”

Salt of the Earth: A Christian Seasons Calendar is a ministry of University Hill Congregation on the UBC campus.

Here is how they describe the calendar:

The Christian year began in the festivals held in the early centuries of the Church’s life. These festivals gradually grew into the annual marking of time that many Protestant and Roman Catholic churches share today.

The Christian year divides first into the seasons that lead us through the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, including:

    • Advent 
    • Christmas
    • Epiphany
    • Lent and Holy Week (a part of Lent)
    • and Easter, which ends on the Day of Pentecost

This is followed by the long Season After Pentecost, when – baptized by God’s fiery Spirit – the focus is on our being sent out to serve in the world God so loves, in light of the story of Jesus we have just lived through once again in the first part of the year. The Christian year ends after Reign of Christ Sunday.

Each season is portrayed by a different artist. They live around North America and even overseas, but, as usual, a couple are from the Metro Vancouver area.

Sarah Kurbjuweit (Cover, Season After Pentecost III)is an artist, theologian and teacher. She taught biblical studies in cross-cultural ministries and holds a Master of Theological Studies from Regent College. Sarah loves to ponder embodied faith, liturgy and all kinds of rootedness. She is inspired by cathedrals and stained glass to create meaningful and formational liturgical art.

Bailey Hindmarsh (Christmas) has studied art and theology [she has an MDiv from Regent College], with a particular interest in medieval illuminated manuscripts. She currently works as the program coordinator at Creative Life, an art program for vulnerable youth in Vancouver. She loves oil painting, printmaking and writing about art when she isn’t making it.

Maureen Steward, originally from Zimbabwe, lives in Victoria.

Go here to order the 2024 / 2025 Christian Seasons Calendar.

Burnaby Alliance: community-oriented

An October 28 article in the Vancouver Sun described the “community-driven design process” adopted in a recent church project:

Architects Peeroj Thakre and Henning Knoetzele of Ph5 Architecture began designing an annex for the Burnaby Alliance Church in 2019, with the building completed this past spring.

The annex (an extension of the main Burnaby Alliance Church found a few doors down on Armstrong Ave, Burnaby) is set in a residential neighbourhood.

One of the biggest challenges was finding ways to make a large, institutional building fit in seamlessly with the scale and form of the other (much smaller) houses on the street, and it took some work, says Thakre.

Situated on a residential lot, the architects paid careful attention to how the annex interacts with the local school, park and pathways around it.

Pathways were incorporated into the design, integrating the church into the neighbourhood’s daily rhythms – connecting pedestrians to the school set behind the church.

Go here for the full article.

Ph5 Architecture also designed the 14,000 sq. ft. addition to Fraser Lands Church.

Among Ph5 Architecture’s other buildings is a major project at Fraser Lands Church in southeast Vancouver which was completed in 2021.

They say of it:

The 14,000 sq. ft. addition allows the Fraser Lands Church to extend the range of programs and events to accommodate the increasing number of families, children and youth in the congregation. It includes a large multipurpose room, centrally located kitchen and flexible use meeting and classrooms. . . .

The addition overlooks an adjacent park and the massing of the building was broken into two blocks to minimize impact on the park. The location of the windows and doors improved the connection between the park and the building.

Go here for the full description.

First Baptist’s Rivendell Housing

The Rivendell affordable housing building at 1045 Nelson Street is now accepting applications for tenancy.

Earlier this month First Baptist Church announced that “the Rivendell affordable housing building at 1045 Nelson Street is now accepting applications for tenancy.”

First Baptist noted:

First Baptist Foundation enjoys a history of more than 50 years working with individuals, families and charitable organizations in the West End, beginning with the purchase of the original Rivendell apartments in the 1970s and applying earnings from that building to fund the activities of other missions and charities serving Vancouver over the years.

With the Heart for the City construction ending, we are excited to re-engage in the Foundation’s important mission alongside First Baptist Church, now adding these new affordable housing resources for the people who most need them.

Go here for the full statement.

Rivendell is part of a larger ‘Heart for the City Project’:

First Baptist Church has significant historic and architectural value in the city, being one of the oldest buildings in downtown Vancouver. Our existing church building, however, is at risk in the event of an earthquake. The Heart for the City Project will restore and seismically upgrade the historic church building, in which we will be able to carry out our mission for generations to come. 

The proposed development will expand the community services the Church provides with approximately 45,000 square feet of additional purpose-built space and a new affordable rental building of approximately 50,000 square feet. The Church’s heritage restoration, the expansion of our space for various ministries and the addition of a new affordable rental building will be constructed by Westbank. As part of our agreement, Westbank will also be constructing a market residential tower known as the Butterfly.  

Go here to learn more about the project and here for links to several earlier articles on this site about it.

Events & Jobs

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.

Oct 2024

Conclave – October 31, 2024 - November 7, 2024 at All Day
Exhibition: Hodos – October 31, 2024 - November 7, 2024 at All Day
Support Watershed Restoration and Reconciliation – October 31, 2024 at All Day
Wandering in the Shades of Night – October 31, 2024 - November 27, 2024 at All Day

Nov 2024

Replanted Conference 2024 – November 1, 2024 - November 2, 2024 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Friends of Israel Conference 2024 – November 1, 2024 - November 2, 2024 at 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Feelin' Alright: A Tribute to Joe Cocker – November 1, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Making a Home for Refugee Claimants – November 2, 2024 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fair Trade & Artisan Market – November 2, 2024 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
What the Bible Says About Work – November 2, 2024 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
New Hope Community Services: Grand Opening – November 2, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Remembrance and Reflection – November 2, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
International Day of Prayer 2024: Remember Her – November 3, 2024 at All Day
St. John the Evangelist: 125th Anniversary – November 3, 2024 at All Day
Metro Vancouver Alliance: Foundations of ​Community Organizing (2 events) – November 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Remembrance and Reflection – November 3, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Concert for Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Fundraiser – November 3, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dan Pitt (Toronto) and Noah Franche-Nolan Duo – November 3, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Echoes of the Synod 2021-2024 – November 5, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christian Advocacy Society 35th Anniversary Banquet – November 5, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
2024 Delta Christian School Annual Open House – November 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Fr. Paul Scalia: Living the Life of Christ in a Post-Christian World – November 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Relearning the Art of Neighbouring – November 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BAM Vancouver Luncheon with Marcela Corzo – November 6, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
2024 Charities and Non Profit Seminar – November 7, 2024 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Denis Alexander: Finding God Through Dawkins – a Dramatic Irony – November 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Metro Kids: Dessert Nights and Silent Auctions – November 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
2024 Riverside Small Business Fair – November 9, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
International Messengers Canada Annual Meeting – November 9, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Book of Remembrance: Lest we Forget – November 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm
We will Remember Them: Mozart Requiem in Concert – November 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Duty Calls: Christ Church Cathedral commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Vancouver’s Victory Square Cenotaph and the 135th Anniversary of Vancouver’s oldest Cathedral – November 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
CCLN Pastors Retreat – November 11, 2024 - November 14, 2024 at All Day
Protecting Kids & Youth Online (2 events) – November 12, 2024 - November 26, 2024 at All Day
The Hobbit – November 13, 2024 - December 21, 2024 at All Day
ELO Forum Vancouver 2024 – November 13, 2024 at 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas – November 14, 2024 - December 24, 2024 at All Day
Come Send Off the Peace Train – November 14, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays – November 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Vancouver Christian School: High School Open House – November 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Speed Dating: Christian Singles (Ages 31-42) – November 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Not Alone: Conversations About MAiD – November 15, 2024 - November 16, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 12:15 pm
Evangelism Seminar | Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News Is Easier Than You Think – November 16, 2024 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Love Without Borders: Welcoming Refugee Claimants Orientation – November 16, 2024 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Hope of the World | Heart for Asia Vancouver 2024 – November 16, 2024 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
EDUPAVI Canada turns 5 – November 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
John Wort Hannam – November 16, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Honouring and Remembering Herbert O’Driscoll – November 17, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Taizé Service – November 17, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sexual Exploitation and Demand Reduction: Keeping our Children Safe – November 18, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Dr. Riad Kassis of Langham Partnership – November 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
FaithTech Vancouver | Create Cycle - Demonstrate – November 21, 2024 at 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
City Dream Centre: The Gathering – November 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thankful: Outreach Canada Celebrating 40 Years – November 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ben Quash: Shared Delight – Art as Common Ground – November 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Winter Craft Market – November 23, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Christmas Jazz Concert 2024 – November 23, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Through the Wardrobe Ballet (2 shows) – November 23, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: Resound Concert – November 23, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Vespers with Nancy Newman Quartet – November 24, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Iestyn Davies & Fretwork: Lamento – November 26, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Congregations That Make a Difference in their Community: The Halo Effect – November 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
TWU Faculty Speaker Series: Bridging the Arts & Sciences – November 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
2024 Music of Hope Christmas Concert – November 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
2024 Music of Hope Christmas Concert 希望的音符圣诞音乐会 – November 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CONVERGE: A Joint Young Adult Event – November 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Worship in the City – November 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Orchestra & Band Concert: Joyful Journeys – November 29, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
2024 Riverside Christmas Craft Fair – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Market – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
2024 Lighthouse Advent Luncheon – November 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
A Southern Gospel Christmas – November 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  

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