Archbishop Michael Miller at the synod in Rome. Photo: Synod.va
Roman Catholic Archbishop Michael Miller is no doubt quite preoccupied these days, as he is taking part in the second session of the Synod on Synodality (‘Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome’) all month. (I wrote about last year’s meetings here.)
But he took time out October 10 to address his “Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ” at home about the importance of taking time to participate in BC’s October 19 election.
He wrote:
A provincial election is a rare and important opportunity for British Columbians to directly influence the direction of government. It is a time to prayerfully discern how to exercise our civic responsibilities and put our Christian values into action in ways that aren’t possible in the years between elections.
It is disappointing that many Catholics have chosen to stay home on election day in recent years. Polls show that we vote less than our secular counterparts, giving them a greater influence than we do over the government responsible for more than five million people who live in this province. . . .
No party perfectly aligns with the needs of British Columbia, and only you can decide which candidate is best suited to bring your values to the legislature, whether as an independent or a member of a political party. But our civic participation, particularly on election day, is essential.
Go here for the full letter.
Loving Sikhs
The Canadian government has expelled six Indian diplomats. An October 15 CBC News report stated:
[Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] spoke to reporters Monday, hours after the head of the RCMP laid out stunning allegations accusing agents of the Indian government of playing a role in “widespread violence” in Canada, including homicides, and warned that it poses “a serious threat to our public safety.”
Members of the Sikh community are particularly concerned. The report added,
Tensions flared last year when Trudeau announced in the House of Commons that Canada had evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi has denied the allegation.
So, this is a good time for Christians to learn more about the Sikh community, and that will happen this Sunday afternoon during Understanding and Loving Sikhs at Peace Portal Alliance Church:
Join us on October 20th for lunch, as we hear from Isaac Munnalall, an adjunct speaker for Apologetics Canada, who will help us grow in our understanding of Sikhs.
This event is designed to bring awareness and training as we think of how to love, interact and engage the Sikh community with the gospel.
Go here to register.
MAiD conversations
We will have two good opportunities to think through issues related to MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in the near future – one this weekend and one in mid-November:
- Changing Debate on Euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada
St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Langley will host Changing Debate on Euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada Friday evening (October 18):
Alex Schadenberg, the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, will give a presentation on the overall situation in Canada on euthanasia (MAiD) in 2024.
The statistics are frightening. Mr. Schadenberg will discuss how far we have come in a few short years to making euthanasia routine and acceptable, illustrating his presentation with real-life stories. He will also touch on the current court cases, including St. Paul’s Hospital.
Register here for this free event.
- Not Alone: Conversations About MAiD
The second gathering will be hosted at two North Vancouver churches. Not Alone: Conversations About MAiD will take place November 15 – 16 (Friday evening, Saturday morning):
A collaboration of St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, North Lonsdale United Church and Reflector Project, this conference aims to help people navigate spiritually, ethically and personally questions and situations around MAiD.
The conference is not about arguing a position on an issue, but rather helping individuals and families with questions and challenges.
The gathering will include presentations, practical information, medical considerations, and spiritual and theological reflection. MAiD reminds us that we will all face tough questions and circumstances. We hope to care for one another well in doing this.
Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee will be the presenter. Now senior pastor at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, he is originally from North Carolina and has worked locally as a pastor and as a seminary professor at Vancouver School of Theology. He has also been a pastor in North Carolina and worked as a journalist in Chicago. He is the author of several books.
Go here to register for the free event.
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
The Global Leadership Summit 2024 – October 17, 2024 - October 18, 2024 at 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
The Global Leadership Summit 2024 – October 17, 2024 - October 18, 2024 at 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
TWU CREATE Conference – October 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
James J.O. O'Donnell: What was Christianity? – October 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
An Invitation to Stretch: Reconstructing Our Theological Assumptions – October 17, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Salmon River Trail Reopening – October 18, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Changing the Debate on Euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada – October 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
TiM Day: Four Workshops – October 19, 2024 at 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Cross Cultural Ministry Training – October 19, 2024 at 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Headlong Hearts & the Uppatones – October 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Understanding & Loving Sikhs – October 20, 2024 at 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – October 20, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Julian Taylor – October 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AI and the Pope's Coat, a talk by Dr. Yuriko Ryan – October 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Preaching Old Testament History: Exodus – October 23, 2024 - October 25, 2024 at All Day
Faculty Speaker Series: Tracy Stobbe, PhD – An Economist Reads the Classics: Using Data to Analyze British Literature from the Industrial Revolution – October 23, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Ruth McGillivray & Sheldon Bradley, with Nelson Boschman – October 23, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Joint Church Kitsilano Prayer Meeting – October 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
White Rock / South Surrey Leadership Prayer Breakfast – October 25, 2024 at 7:30 am - 9:30 am
What Canadian Church Leaders Should Know about Mental Health & Illness in their Congregation – October 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
An Evening With NightShift – October 25, 2024 at 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Pumpkin Carving Party – October 25, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Parenting Conference: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers in the Church – October 26, 2024 at 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lift Up Your Voice: a Worship Conference – October 26, 2024 at 12:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Fiesta Guatemala! Fundraiser – October 26, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
11th Hallelujah Night presented by Blue Ocean Movement – October 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dessert Cafe with 70s Soul Duo – October 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
MCBC Indigenous Relations Coffee House Fundraiser: Live Music from J.D. Miner & John Williams – October 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Jesus Stories – October 26, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Worship Invasion LOVES October! – October 26, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Get Back: Unplugged – October 26, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Jazz Vespers with Mimosa – October 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Alpha Canada: Come & See – October 28, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
See Palestine Together: With God on Our Side – October 29, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Navigating Catholic Engagement with U.S. Politics – October 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: The Louie / Quinn Quartet – October 30, 2024 at 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Music as Prayer – Concert Hall as Liminal Space: Sacred Music in Our Time – October 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
UGM Workshop: Welcoming Our Neighbour – October 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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 DayNov 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
Prince Caspian – November 8, 2024 - November 17, 2024 at All Day
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
ELO Forum Vancouver 2024 – November 13, 2024 at 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
Lorraine Foster Sings for Remembrance Day – November 13, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
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
Hymn Sing – November 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 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
Christmas Craft Fair – November 16, 2024 at 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Christmas Mmrketplace – November 16, 2024 at 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Fall Rummage Sale – November 16, 2024 at 9:30 am - 2:00 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
Celebrating St. Andrew's Day with Triskellion – November 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 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
Book Launch: Sheets of Scattered Sand – November 18, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dr. Riad Kassis of Langham Partnership – November 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
A Conversation on Mental Health & Illness in Canadian Congregations – November 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Conclave – November 21, 2024 - November 28, 2024 at All Day
Wandering 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