There are two events that I’m particularly going to regret missing while I’m away over the next month (see accompanying story): Into the Neighbourhood and Solitary Refinement:
Into the Neighbourhood
Into the Neighbourhood will be a two-day event (October 26 – 27) sponsored by Forge Canada at Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship in Burnaby:
Our purpose is to help cultivate churches who desire to partner with God in the neighbourhood, people who learn to live incarnationally, and leaders who are equipped to lead their people into becoming a Faithful Presence in that place and to that people.
With this two-day event, we will learn, discuss, and challenge one another to live out what we’ve heard through the sessions run by Karen Wilk, Preston Pouteaux and David Fitch.
All three leaders look very strong, but I am particularly sorry not to be able to sit in on Fitch’s sessions. As I have followed him on Twitter, I’ve discovered him to be a very creative thinker. He and Forge Canada national director Cameron Roxburgh will address the topic ‘A Faithful Presence: Being the Church in the Neighbourhood.’
I expect Fitch will draw from two of his recent books, Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines That Shape the Church for Mission and Seven Practices for the Church on Mission. His website outlines the seven practices:
* The Practice of the Lord’s Table: The Table is centered around the presence of Jesus. When we gather with others to participate in this, we tend to God’s presence in our lives.
* The Practice of Reconciliation: In a sin-scarred and divided world, the practice of reconciliation puts us at the heart of the message of God: shalom with God and others.
* The Practice of Proclaiming the Gospel: The practice of proclamation is announcing – with hope – that this is God’s world and he desires for His presence to break in even further.
* The Practice of Fivefold Gifting: The fivefold gifting allows us to receive God’s gifts poured out to different people who work together to advance God’s mission.
* The Practice of Being with the Least of These: Being with the least of these isn’t a good idea or warm sentiment, but the very way in which God makes his presence known among us.
* The Practice of Being with Children: The Practice of being with children shows us the values of the kingdom: wonder celebration, dependence, honesty and playfulness.
* The Practice of Kingdom Prayer: The practice of kingdom prayer is the acknowledgement of our submission to God, our desire to be more accessible for His purposes and a longing for more of His presence.
Go here for more.
Solitary Refinement
Tenth Church Kitsilano will host a dramatic presentation featuring true stories from the persecuted church November 13. Solitary Refinement is:
An immersive live stage experience based on the best-selling books of Richard Wurmbrand, and on persecution around the world today.
The script is written and performed by award-winning international artist Dennis J. Hassell, directed by triple Dora Award nominee Tom Carson (five nationally touring productions), with original music composed by Emmy-winner and renowned recording artist Tom Szczesniak.
Wurmbrand was one of the founders of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), which is sponsoring the show’s tour across Canada:
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand (1909 – 2001) was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture in his homeland of Romania. He is widely recognized there as one of the country’s greatest Christian leaders, authors and educators.
Richard Wurmbrand
In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand began an effective, vigorous ‘underground’ ministry to oppressed believers as well as to the Russian soldiers occupying his country.
He was arrested in 1948, along with his wife, Sabina, who was imprisoned as a slave-laborer for three years on the Danube Canal. Pastor Wurmbrand spent three years in solitary confinement, seeing no one but his Communist torturers. He was then transferred to a group cell, where the torture continued for five more years. . . .
Go here for more on his life.
Lorna Dueck, CEO of YES TV Network praised Solitary Refinement:
The high quality of both artistic and story presentation with Dennis Hassell and team left me feeling I could be watching any award-winning stage show in Toronto or New York. It’s incredible that Canadians have the opportunity to bring Solitary Refinement into their churches and schools, and they should run to book this opportunity across all generations.
I am promoting this as a ‘must see’ by all audiences needing the story of Christian persecution past and present, and for those who need to be educated about the reality of faith flourishing amid persecution. I left as a stronger person as a result of watching Solitary Refinement.
November 4 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
Dao Zi at Lookout
The Lookout Gallery at Regent College will host an art show (Dao ZI’s ‘Turning Blood into Ink’) and a couple of related events October 16 – 17:
This collection of ink wash paintings by the eminent Chinese artist, poet, and critic, Dao Zi, is an extraordinary meeting of East and West.
Combining the distinctive and deeply rooted Chinese technique of ink painting with Christian iconography, Dao Zi attempts to give shape and colour to transcendence.
There will be an opening reception from 4:30 – 7:30 on the 16th, and a free lecture – Blood & Ink: A Chinese Christian Vision for the Arts – the next evening in Regent College Chapel.
The exhibit will run until November 16.
https://www.regent-college.edu/about-us/events/event-details?event_id=836
L’Arche expansion
A recent article by Agnieszka Ruck in The B.C. Catholic featured some exciting changes at the L’Arche community:
A community built around love for people with developmental disabilities is undergoing ground-breaking changes.
L’Arche of Greater Vancouver has been running housing, offices, community events and a prayer space on Sussex Avenue in Burnaby since 1974. With a building more than 50 years old, according to L’Arche, it’s time for it to go.
“It was actually a home for unwed mothers that the United Church built and gifted to us for a nominal sum,” said executive director Denise Haskett. Now, the organization has found the building is old, too small, and inaccessible for many of the people they serve.
“Today, things are very different for children with developmental disabilities” compared with 44 years ago, said Haskett. Increasing programs exist for schools and young families, but “there is still a long way to go in terms of supporting people once they become adults.”
The Burnaby property will be redeveloped to make way for a three-story wood frame structure, complete with L’Arche residences for adults, community inclusion spaces, a chapel, offices, 10 independent living units and 29 affordable housing units.
The charity was founded in France in 1964 when Canadian Catholic humanitarian Jean Vanier invited two men from an institution near his home to live with him.
“Essentially, they wanted a friend. They were not very interested in my knowledge or my ability to do things, but rather they needed my heart and my being, ” Vanier said.
Go here for the full story.
Later this month (October 26), City in Focus will host a Transformation Through Togetherness breakfast with members of the L’Arche community at the Vancouver Club.
Oct 2018
Homelessness Action Week – October 7, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at All DayColleen McLaughlin Barlow: Whale Dreams – October 11, 2018 - November 16, 2018 at All Day
Kairos Course (Thursday evenings, plus Nov 23-24 weekend) – October 11, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Sharing Stories with Indigenous People (Thursday evenings) – October 11, 2018 - November 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Windows into Heaven: Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild 15th Anniversary Exhibition – October 12, 2018 - October 20, 2018 at All Day
Elevate Conference 2018 – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Life on the Margins Workshop – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturate Everyday – October 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 2:30 pm
The Marriage Course (Friday evenings) – October 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Revival Meeting with John Razz – October 13, 2018 - October 14, 2018 at All Day
Wonder Worship Conference – October 13, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
DivorceCare (Saturday mornings) – October 13, 2018 - November 17, 2018 at 10:15 am - 12:15 am
Supreme Court Decision in the TWU Law School Case: Implications – October 13, 2018 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Alzheimer Café – October 13, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Blessing of the Animals – October 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Benefit Concert for Homeless Action Week – October 14, 2018 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Village Missions Funraiser – October 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A Night of Worship with Martin Smith – October 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Journey 101 (Tuesday evenings) – October 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bruce Hindmarsh: Re-enchanting the Universe – Evangelicals & the Rise of Science – October 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dao Zi: Turning Blood into Ink – October 17, 2018 - November 16, 2018 at All Day
Dao Zi: Turning Blood into Ink – Opening Reception – October 17, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Craig Allert: Early Christian Readings of Genesis One – October 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Our Children, Our Future: Educating for Tomorrow – October 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Global Leadership Summit – October 18, 2018 - October 19, 2018 at All Day
Dao Zi: Blood & Ink – a Chinese Christian Vision for the Arts – October 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ken Shigematsu Book Launch: A Survival Guide for the Soul – October 18, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe – October 19, 2018 - November 10, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Disciple-Making Movements: Why Not Canada? – October 20, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Adam Robert Thomas & Band – October 20, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Alongsiders Update with Craig Greenfield – October 21, 2018 at 12:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – October 21, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
C2C Network Celebration Evening – October 22, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
New Hope Annual Gala – October 22, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Game of Love and Chance – October 23, 2018 - November 3, 2018 at All Day
Experience Regent for a Day – October 23, 2018 at 9:45 am - 4:00 pm
Myron Penner: The Bible, Science & Human Flourishing – October 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dmytro Bintsarovkyi: Union with the Unknown – John Meyendorff on the Essence-Energy Distinction – October 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Caroline Leaf – October 26, 2018 - October 28, 2018 at All Day
Into the Neighbourhood – October 26, 2018 - October 27, 2018 at 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
NightShift 12th Annual Gala of Light – October 26, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hallelujah Night – October 26, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ignite (awesome worship night, special speaker, refreshments etc) – October 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Y2Y Nite of OMF Heart for Asia Conference – October 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
City in Focus Breakfast with L'Arche: Transformation Through Togetherness – October 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jacob Moon – October 26, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
MinistryLift: Responsible Discipline – October 27, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
OMF Heart for Asia Conference – October 27, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Right Here, Write Now – October 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Ember – October 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers @ St. Andrew's United Church – October 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Bill Sample & Darlene Ketchum – October 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Nov 2018
Crossroads Community Meal: 20th Anniversary – November 1, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 9:00 pmChristian Writers' Weekend: From Revelation to Reality – November 2, 2018 - November 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Joint Mission Conference: One Church, One Mission – November 2, 2018 - November 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shari Ulrich Trio – November 2, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Livestream: Eugene Peterson Service of Witness to the Resurrection – November 3, 2018 at 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
BC Lions Faith & Family Night: Tribute to Wally Buono – November 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Grateful: An Evening with Brian Doerksen – November 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The ART of ART: A Westcoast Formal, by Youth Unlimited – November 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Hymn Festival: He Keeps Me Singing – November 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Call Mr. Robeson: A Life, With Songs – November 3, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – November 4, 2018 at All Day
Caught in the Middle with Dr. Hans Werner – November 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Mozart Requiem – November 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Story & Song: A Benefit Concert featuring Steve Bell – November 4, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
CBTE 2018 – November 5, 2018 - November 6, 2018 at All Day
International Conference on Competency-Based Theological Education – November 5, 2018 - November 6, 2018 at All Day
Jens Zimmerman: Who Am I? – Personhood, Consciousness & Transhumanist Visions – November 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Entrepreneurial Leaders Forum – November 7, 2018 at All Day
George Grant: Canada's C.S. Lewis – November 7, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Faith Formation Through Worship: Children Grow in Faith Through Worship – November 10, 2018 at 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Alzheimer Café – November 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Chelsea Amber presented by Front of the Line Productions – November 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Threnody: Requiem and Remembrance – November 10, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Ladies of Company B – November 11, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Solitary Refinement – November 13, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
JustWork: A Taste of Dignity – November 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Moral Life & the Modern Marketplace – November 15, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
FLY - Freedom Party – November 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
All Handmade Sale – November 16, 2018 - November 17, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Uncovering Vision: Eastside Culture Crawl – November 17, 2018 - November 18, 2018 at All Day
Composing Missional Worship: Glen Soderholm & Roy Salmond – November 17, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Poinsettia Bazaar – November 17, 2018 at 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Annual Fall Market – November 17, 2018 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Quality Fair Bazaar – November 17, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
SENT GENERATION [Young Adult Movement] – November 17, 2018 at 10:00 am - 9:30 pm
Becoming Human: Joseph Ratzinger's Theological Anthropology – November 17, 2018 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dr. Andrew Kaethler: Becoming Human – Joseph Ratzinger's Theological Anthropology – November 17, 2018 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
St. James' Music Series presents Jan & Jon – November 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Cannabis Forum – November 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kevin Max: AWOL in Vancouver – November 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Made in God's Image – November 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Small Glories – November 18, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Benjamin Perrin: Jesus & Justice – November 19, 2018 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
An Evening with Max Chismon – November 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bridging Borders: Finding Hope in Syria – November 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Salvation Army Harbour Light Open House – November 22, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Himalayan Life: The Forgotten Ones – November 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas at the Museum! – November 23, 2018 - November 24, 2018 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm