Around Town: Going to COP27, Extreme Weather Shelters, Preaching Advent . . .

Two Trinity Western University biology students will be taking part in COP27. They will join some 20,000 people from 195 nations for the annual UN Climate Change Conference at Sharm El Sheik, an Egyptian city in the south of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea, November 6 – 18.

A recent article in the Langley Advance Times stated:

Rea Klar and Sarah Demian’s official status as observers will allow them to help influence negotiators, report back to their students and others in BC, as well as further mobilize for climate action.

Klar is originally from Williams Lake, and Demian is from Chilliwack – both are active members of the environmental club at TWU and recently met with mayoral candidates in Langley to discuss local climate action.

As observers, both women will be officially representing the Christian Reformed Church of North America as part of the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP2022).

Klar said that she is attending COP27 because “my generation will face the worst of the repercussions of global warming and so, it’s incredible that I get to educate myself through attending COP27. I get to build relationships of a lifetime with like-minded individuals from around the world and learn more about the direction we are heading globally regarding the climate crisis. Above all, I feel strongly called by God to be a steward of His glorious creations.”

Demian’s hope for COP27 is “to see some sort of global change to reach climate action goals. The climate crisis is serious, and too many people don’t realize that we need to act now. I’d love to see observers at COP27 share tangible steps for people to adopt in their own routines, but I’d also like to see world leaders making changes in their countries as a result of what was shared at COP27.”

Go here for the full article. Rynn Zhang, a University of British Columbia student, is also going with the CCOP group; she will be taking part in COP27 Live!, a virtual UBC event November 15.

Samuel Chiu, Multicultural Program Director for A Rocha Canada, which is based in south Surrey, wrote about the upcoming COP27 gathering:

This year, the discussion topics include a transparent and effective Global Stocktake mechanism for climate mitigation and adaptation measures; settling on a much needed, and long overdue, Climate Finance scheme; and addressing the ever urgent need for supporting less developed nations for Loss and Damage.

This last subject is particularly relevant as extreme weather events, in forms of severe droughts, floods and storms, rampage around the globe with increasing intensity and frequency. These official processes and negotiations will be under the scrutiny of thousands of registered observers from civil society and, once again, A Rocha will be among them (as we have been in past years).

The Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP), for which A Rocha is an organizing partner for the second year, will send a team of 38 people from 10 countries to COP27. Sarah Demian, a biology student from Trinity Western University (Langley, BC), and Paris Liu, an engineering student from McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) are among several young Canadian participants with CCOP this year.

Chiu will be flying out later next week for week two of COP27.

Go here for regular reports from Christian Climate Observers Program participants during the two weeks of COP27. I posted several articles about COP26 in Glasgow here.

A multi-faith group including the United Church, Vancouver Unitarians, Citizens for Public Justice and Vancouver Green Faith took part in a global day of climate action September 23; go here for an article on the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster website.

Extreme Weather Shelters

Several churches around Metro Vancouver are doing their part to provide Extreme Weather Response Shelters now that the weather has begun to turn cold. Lookout Housing Health Society oversees the shelters:

Lookout increases the number of beds during the worst weather of the year to ensure those who are at risk have a safe place to sleep.

Extreme Weather Response Shelters (EWRs) are operated by Lookout in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Langley, North Shore, Surrey and Vancouver. They are open from November 1st to March 31st during extreme weather nights as called by the City and the EWR response coordinator.

Here are some of the local Extreme Weather Response Shelters:

Burnaby

Westminster Bible Chapel
7540 – 6th Street

The Neighbourhood Church (formerly Southside): 12 mats
7135 Walker Avenue

North Shore

North Shore Housing Center: 20 mats
705 West 2nd Street

North Shore Neighbourhood House: 12 mats
225 2nd Street East

Surrey

Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church
9165 160th Street

Delta

Ladner United Church
4960 48th Avenue

New Hope Church
11838 – 88th Avenue

Vancouver

Tenth Church: 10 mats
11 West 10th Avenue

Cascades Church: 10 mats
3833 Boundary Road

YMCA-Langara: 10 mats
282 West 49th Avenue

Preaching Advent

A two-day event will involve ministers in a unique encounter with the Advent Scriptures.

Preaching Advent: An Immersive Encounter with the Scriptures will be held November 9 – 10 at West Point Grey Baptist Church:

Drawing upon the Revised Common Lectionary’s curated Biblical texts for Advent 2022, these two days – together in Vancouver – will be a journey through the Sundays of Advent, leading up to the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is a lectionary? It’s simply a collection of Biblical readings, organized to be proclaimed in communal Christian worship.

Whether you are a seasoned Lectionary preacher, or have never worked with it before, you are are invited to gather with fellow ministers in this encounter with the Advent Scriptures. Practitioners of preaching from all Christian traditions and denominations are warmly welcome, as well as seminarians and those preparing for preaching ministry.

Join the Canadian Bible Society’s Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling and pastors from congregations across BC and Yukon as we foster spiritual friendship and engage the Scriptures together.

The other leaders will be:

• Host: Fr. Matthew Francis, Canadian Bible Society’s Regional Director for BC & Yukon and Parish Priest of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Chilliwack;
• Preaching Guide: Elita Friesen, Pastor at The Way Church, Vancouver
• Liturgist: Rev. Heather Joy James, Minister of Oakridge United Church, Vancouver
• Liturgist: Rev. Aaron Miller, Minister at University Hill Congregation, Vancouver

The event is free, but registration is required.

Nov 2022

Mother Teresa: No Greater Love Encore – November 2, 2022 - November 3, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christian Advocacy Society Autumn Banquet Fundraiser – November 3, 2022 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
SAMC Theatre presents The Miracle Worker – November 3, 2022 - November 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
TWU Richmond Open House – November 4, 2022 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Audible – November 4, 2022 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hummingbird Ministries Peace Through the Arts Festival – November 4, 2022 - November 5, 2022 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Identity Crisis: Sexuality, Gender & Why Humans Exist – November 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Joy Restored: Adult & Teen Challenge BC 2022 Fall Choir Tour – November 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
TWU Game Jam for high school students – November 4, 2022 - November 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Vancouver Chamber Choir: Cecilia – November 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jim Byrnes with Simon Kendall – November 4, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
From War to Peace: Heinrich Schütz and His Time – November 5, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
International Day of Prayer 2022: Stand Firm – November 6, 2022 at All Day
Book Reading and Q&A with Mary Jane Joe – November 6, 2022 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Preaching Advent: An Immersive Encounter with the Scriptures – November 9, 2022 - November 10, 2022 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Theology Symposium: When does Translating Change the Meaning of Scripture? – November 9, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Lorraine Foster for Remembrance Week – November 9, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
'COP of Coffee': Live from COP27 in Egypt – November 10, 2022 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
New Man Vancouver – November 10, 2022 - November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
SIMinar: Dark Moments in Missions – November 10, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Cookie Jar House Concert with Mark Glanville Jazz Trio – November 11, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Have Art, Will Show – November 12, 2022 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Truth and Reconciliation Education Workshop Part 2 – November 12, 2022 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
'People & Planet First, Part II': 2022 Fall Campaign with Development and Peace, Caritas Canada – November 12, 2022 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Gig: New Artist Showcase – November 12, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Soweto Gospel Choir – November 12, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Out of the Darkness and Into the Light of the Global Stage: Protestant Churches in China After 1979 – November 13, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Rikk Watts: God's Biographers – Why We Can Trust the Gospels – November 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ELO Forum Vancouver 2022 – November 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Is Canadian Healthcare at Risk? – November 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
OM Ships Partner Dinner – November 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Launch: A Place at the Table, with Jo Swinney – November 15, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Common HR Pitfalls to Avoid – November 16, 2022 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Inklings Institute Event: The Symbolic Geography of C.S. Lewis' 'The Great Divorce' – November 16, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
JustWork's Taste of Dignity 2022 – November 16, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
How our Heavenly Citizenship Shapes Our Earthly Citizenship – November 16, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: The Hot Mamas – November 16, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Janaki Larsen: Self-Assembly – November 17, 2022 - November 23, 2022 at All Day
Jesus Christ Superstar – November 17, 2022 - November 20, 2022 at All Day
Can Hospitality Change Canada? – November 17, 2022 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
None of the Above: Nonreligious Identity in the US and Canada – November 17, 2022 at 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
The Chosen Season 3: Episode 1 & 2 (several theatres) – November 18, 2022 - November 22, 2022 at All Day
All Saints Bazaar – November 18, 2022 - November 19, 2022 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Paperboys (trio) – November 18, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Refugee Support and Volunteer Training – November 19, 2022 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
22nd Annual Fundraising Breakfast of St. Mark's / Corpus Christi College – November 19, 2022 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Christmas Craft Fair – November 19, 2022 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
All Saints Bazaar – November 19, 2022 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Quality Fair Bazaar – November 19, 2022 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
St George's Annual Christmas Market – November 19, 2022 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Unique Role of the Church in Helping People Survive and Recover from Forced Displacement – November 19, 2022 at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Kairos Blanket Exercise – November 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Advent Candle Workshop – November 20, 2022 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Taizé Service – November 20, 2022 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Celebrating Jim Houston's 100th Birthday – November 21, 2022 at All Day
Let the Little Children Come to Me: Our Ecological Future & Biblical Past – November 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Pension Plans and Caring for Staff in their Retirement – November 23, 2022 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Out of Thin Air: A Himalayan Life Event – November 23, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Science, Faith & the James Webb Space Telescope – November 23, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Patricia Faith & Bob York – November 23, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bethany Haynes-Kramm: Play Ground – November 24, 2022 - November 27, 2022 at All Day
Working Towards Freedom: Anti Human Trafficking – November 24, 2022 at 8:00 am - 9:30 am
SIMinar: Accounting and Missions: Because Money Moves Ministry – November 24, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Zhongping Chen: Religion, Racism, and Rivalry in North American Chinatowns, 1896-1916 – November 24, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
National Prayer & Worship Gathering – November 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Presidential Installation 2022: Dr. Gerry Turcotte – November 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
604 Chapel – November 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tom Jackson: Stories Songs & Santa Causes – November 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
TWU Band and Orchestra Concert – November 25, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
A Family Curse – November 25, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Advent in the Neighbourhood: A Webinar – November 26, 2022 at 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Christmas Bazaar in Steveston – November 26, 2022 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
The Kingdom of God in Working Clothes – November 26, 2022 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Christmas Craft Fair & Bake Sale – November 26, 2022 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mistletoe Bazaar – November 26, 2022 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
A German Requiem / Psalm 42, Like as the Hart – November 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Family Christmas Funtastic – November 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Burnaby Christmas Night Market – November 26, 2022 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Vancouver Momentum: Community & Connection Fundraiser – November 26, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Handel's Messiah – November 26, 2022 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with Sister Jazz Quintet – November 27, 2022 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers with Jazz Connexion – November 27, 2022 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A German Requiem / Psalm 42, Like as the Hart – November 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
An Invitation to Conversation and Dialogue – November 28, 2022 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Church Earthkeepers Meet-Up – November 29, 2022 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Paul Spilsbury: Chasing the Light – Opening Reception – November 30, 2022 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
CPC³ Lecture: 'The Church and Human Flourishing' by Dr. Andrew Kaethler – November 30, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: The Bruce James Orchestra – November 30, 2022 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm