First United Church is in the midst of a major redevelopment – and they want to make sure the final result visually represents the local community. The church has been serving their Downtown Eastside neighbourhood for nearly 140 years.
Here is how they announced their art campaign November 15:
First United is redeveloping its site at 320 East Hastings into a multi-storey, purpose-built space with four floors of community services and amenities (operated by First) and seven floors of below-market Indigenous social housing (operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society).
Informed by conversations with Indigenous consultants, the exterior of the building respectfully integrates works by Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh artists, holding space for Host Nation art on traditional Host Nation lands, contributing to an ongoing revival of Salish art forms, and standing as a visual welcome to the community.
Notable among these exterior features is a woven brickwork pattern by well-known Musqueam Master Weaver and Designer Debra Sparrow. The interior of the building will include works by Urban Indigenous and Downtown Eastside artists, ensuring that the stories and voices of the Downtown Eastside community are represented.
Amanda Burrows, Executive Director of First United said:
Art is one of the main ways we as people and as communities share our culture and our stories. It creates a sense of purpose, dignity and belonging. Representation in art matters. Who is included, who is excluded and who is even creating these stories matters.
In the Downtown Eastside, where histories of colonialism and oppression are directly tied to the erasure of culture, particularly Indigenous culture, we believe that access to and inclusion in public art is inextricably linked to reconciliation and healing in this community.”
Go here for the full statement, which includes an announcement that there the Audain Foundation is donatiing $1 million to the art campaign.
The redevelopment project is expected to be completed about one year from now.
Halo Effect
Last week I posted an article based on Mike Wood Daly’s recent report for Cardus: ‘Why Religious Tax Exemptions Benefit All Canadians.’
One portion of the Introduction to the report stated:
Is it accurate to say that the wider society is ‘subsidizing’ religious congregations? This paper seeks to answer this question by comparing the dollar value of congregations’ socio-economic contribution with the dollar value of the tax exemptions they receive and the tax credits that their donors receive. It finds that the socio-economic contribution is an estimated 10 times greater than the tax exemptions and credits.
Daly, and others, have described this benefit as the Halo Effect. He will offer a short and sweet introduction to phenomenon in a Flourishing Congregations webinar November 29, 12 – 12:30 pm: Congregations that Make a Difference in Their Community: The Halo Effect:
Join Mike Wood Daly, President and Principal Research Associate at Sphaera Research/Halo Canada and Flourishing Congregations Institute Fellow, for an interactive half-hour webinar – 15-minute research presentation & 15-minute Q/A (optional 15-minutes after for networking) – based on his research on the ‘Halo Effect’ and how Canadian congregations generate measurable economic impact through everyday actions, programs and expressions of faith.
While the social, spiritual and communal value of local worshipping congregations has long been accepted, learn about the real economic impact that these congregations provide directly to their surrounding communities.
Worship in the City / Converge
I love to see ecumenical events in Vancouver, and several are coming up soon:
- Worship in the City: Westside Church, November 29, 7 pm:
A night of worship and prayer for churches across Vancouver, hosted by Westside Church, church: untitled, and The Way Church. It’s a time where we seek the face of Jesus together and let the Spirit shape us into being made more like Christ.
Our prayer is to see the transformation of our city by bringing God’s Kingdom to Vancouver through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Converge: Cloverdale Baptist Church, November 29, 7 pm:
Converge is an inter-church event for Young Adult communities that span across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. All 18-30+ welcome!
- Ecumenism & Interfaith Relations Retreat: John Paul II Pastoral Centre, November 30, 9 am:
Please join us for our yearly Interfaith & Ecumenism Retreat at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
This year our theme is Journeying Together as Pilgrims of Hope. We will come together to hear members of the Sikh, Muslim, and inter-faith communities dialogue together, and then hear a presentation by Catholic Dr. Nicholas Olkovich on ecumenism and the synodal way of life.
Registration is free; morning refreshments and a light lunch will be provided after Mass.
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: various locations, January 18 – 25, 2025
Something to look forward to, early next year.
Events & Jobs
Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.
Nov 2024
Conclave – November 21, 2024 - November 28, 2024 at All DayWandering in the Shades of Night – November 21, 2024 - November 27, 2024 at All Day
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
Quality Fair Bazaar – November 23, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Winter Craft Market – November 23, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The All Handmade Sale – November 23, 2024 at 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Through the Wardrobe Ballet (2 shows) – November 23, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
13th Annual Christmas Jazz Concert – November 23, 2024 at 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Freedom Worship Night – November 23, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 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
Regent College Used Book Sale – November 25, 2024 - November 27, 2024 at All Day
Mental Health Starts with YOUth: An Introductory Webinar – November 26, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Protecting Kids & Youth Online – November 26, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Iestyn Davies & Fretwork: Lamento – November 26, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Dignity Breakfast – November 27, 2024 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Business by the Book: Chris and Emily Hamade – November 27, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong with the Conrad Good Trio – November 27, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Scholars in the Square: Gary Kuchar - Defiant Loyalism: The Literature of ‘Anglican’ Survivalism – November 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Chanting in the Footsteps of St Demetrios in Late Medieval Thessaloniki – November 28, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Joint Church Kitsilano Prayer Meeting – November 28, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Yuletide: An Enchanting Evening of Christmas Cheer – November 28, 2024 - November 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Voices from the African Diaspora – November 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas Craft Sale & Lunch – November 29, 2024 at 10:30 am - 2:00 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
Advent Festival – November 29, 2024 - November 30, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Illuminate Gala – November 29, 2024 at 6:30 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
Music Night with the Burnaby Mountain Boys – November 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 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
Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations Retreat 2024 – November 30, 2024 at 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Christmas Bazaar – November 30, 2024 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
2024 Riverside Christmas Craft Fair – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Art Show – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Christmas Fair – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Fair & Bake Sale – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christmas Fair & Nativity Scene Display – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Market – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Pop Up Shop – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. Francis Nifty-Thrifty Shop – November 30, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christmas Market @ Fairview Church – November 30, 2024 at 10:30 am - 3:30 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
Dec 2024
Christmas Jazz Vespers with Jazz Connexion – December 1, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmChristmas Recital: Father Peter Hanna – December 1, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Vancouver Oratorio Society 2024 Christmas Concert – December 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dr. Salim Munayer: The Journey of Peace – December 3, 2024 - December 7, 2024 at 12:00 am
Advent in Your Neighbourhood Webinar – December 3, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Hope in the City Breakfast – December 4, 2024 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Dr. Salim Munayer: The Journey of Peace – Pastors Coffee Circle – December 4, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Sound of the City: A Christmas Concert for the Good of Vancouver (2 shows) – December 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Dr. Salim Munayer: The Journey of Peace – December 4, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: The Mennonite Jazz Committee – December 4, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
1525: Reform & Revolution – December 5, 2024 - February 21, 2025 at 12:00 am
A Christmas Carol – December 5, 2024 - December 8, 2024 at All Day
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – December 5, 2024 - December 24, 2024 at All Day
for KING + COUNTRY’s A Drummer Boy Christmas – December 5, 2024 at 12:00 am
for KING + COUNTRY’s A Drummer Boy Christmas – December 5, 2024 - December 16, 2024 at All Day
The Hobbit – December 5, 2024 - December 21, 2024 at All Day
Canadian Council of Churches: Celebrating 80 Years of Unity & Diversity – December 5, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Hockey Priest and the Story of Father David Bauer – December 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Book & Music Fair – December 6, 2024 - December 8, 2024 at All Day
City Dream Centre Christmas Project 2024: Volunteer Opportunities – December 6, 2024 - December 17, 2024 at All Day
Singing Christmas Tree (10 shows) – December 6, 2024 - December 15, 2024 at All Day
Dr. Salim Munayer: The Journey of Peace – Pastors Coffee Circle – December 6, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
The First Christmas Experience – December 6, 2024 - December 8, 2024 at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Joyful Voice Community Choir: Winter Reflections Choral Concert – December 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Salvation Army Surrey: Traditional Christian Christmas Event – December 7, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Christmas Bazaar & High Tea – December 7, 2024 at 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Christmas Market – December 7, 2024 at 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
O Holy Night a Coastal Church Christmas Production – December 7, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Tale of a Shepherd: A Musical Christmas Production for Everyone! – December 7, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
O Holy Night a Coastal Church Christmas Production – December 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Dr. Salim Munayer: The Journey of Peace – December 7, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Amabilis Singers present With a Voice of Singing – December 7, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Chantez Noel – December 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Christmas at the Chan – December 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Paul Baloche Christmas Worship Tour – December 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Joyful Voice Community Choir: Winter Reflections Choral Concert – December 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A Christmas Carol (3 shows) – December 10, 2024 - December 15, 2024 at All Day
Book Launch of West Coast Mission by Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart – December 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Comfort Sakoma Townhall Series – December 12, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Speed Dating: Christian Singles (Ages 31-42) – December 12, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Hope Alight: Carols by Candlelight (2 events) – December 13, 2024 - December 14, 2024 at All Day
Dustin Bentall & The Blue Wranglers – December 13, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
North Shore Community Christmas Dinner (volunteers needed before event) – December 14, 2024 at All Day
Keith Miller: Contemporary Challenges to the Pursuit of Truth – December 14, 2024 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Bez Christmas Open House – December 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Blue Christmas Retreat – December 14, 2024 at 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Night of the Father’s Love – December 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Vivaldi Chamber Choir: A Classical Christmas – December 14, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Laudate Singers' Free Family Christmas Concert – December 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Bethlehem Walk – December 14, 2024 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Christmas Market – December 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm