The entrance to the Patricia June Vickers’ exhibition at Dal Schindell Gallery. On the left is a painting of her grandmother, clutching a booklet bearing the words, ‘Looking Unto Jesus.’ Image from panel YouTube.
There is still time to see a powerful exhibit at Regent College’s Dal Schindell Gallery. Healing Journey: Art of Patricia Vickers has been there for the last two months of 2023 and will continue until January 24.
Douglas Todd interviewed Vickers last fall and wrote a good article for The Vancouver Sun about her background and the exhibit. Here is a portion:
Patricia June Vickers is a painter, a healer of trauma, a member of the eagle clan from the northwest B.C. village of Gitxaala and a victim of incest who is inspired not by the church as an institution, but by the teachings of Jesus.
Given her unique story, the Ts’msyen woman’s portrayal of residential schools, decolonization and Christian symbols are challenging, and more frank and multi-layered than what we normally hear these days.
Vickers’ art exhibition at Regent College, on the University of B.C. campus, titled Healing Journey, explores the tragic complications associated with what she calls “the atrocities” committed by clergy and others in Canada’s residential school system, which her father and grandmother attended.
In an unsettling, profound way, the exhibition interweaves traditional Indigenous spirituality – with sacred animals and birds – with her devotion to the 2,000-year-old ritual of communion, which she has continued to cherish since first taking part in it as a 15-year-old.
The younger sister of the acclaimed Ts’msyen artist Roy Henry Vickers, she is a powerful painter in her own right. And for 30 years she’s also been a sought-after practitioner of trauma therapies such as neuro-feedback. Her skills are based on what she learned through a gruelling journey to comprehend her rage, a result in large part of being sexually abused by her father.
Because of her discomfort with the church people who ran the now-defunct federally funded residential-school system, Vickers doesn’t formally refer to herself as a Christian. Yet she continues to participate in the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer, which was first created in the 1500s by what is now the Anglican Church.
Go here for the full article.
One key theme during a November 7 panel discussion at Regent College was reconciliation. Here is just a small taste of what Vickers said:
Remembering: the ceremony is laid out as the Ts’msyen feast hall, the setting for justice and governance. Image from panel YouTube.
When we look back at Indian residential schools and all that’s happened, this is Christians and the teachings of Christ. There’s enormous, enormous disparity between the teachings of Christ and what actually happened.
So then I asked and I prayed, so what’s the reconciliation then? And it’s that those of us who believe in the teachings of Christ – people who call themselves Christians – need to reconcile with God.
What does that mean? I can’t say what that means, if you believe in the teachings. But it is about a call to action because the suffering is great in our communities. It’s just in east side, it’s in Musqueam, it’s across on the North Shore where I’m living on Capilano Res. . .
There is much more. Go here to watch the full YouTube presentation of the panel discussion, featuring Patricia June Vickers, Bradley Clements, Mo Hickman and Jonathan Anderson (who began as Eugene and Jan Peterson Associate Professor of Theology and the Arts at Regent last year). And do visit the exhibition at Dal Schindell Gallery; sorry I didn’t highlight it earlier.
Global Peacemakers
Jeremy Joosten, Rea Klar and Marko Zolotarov are leaders at the Global Peace Summit at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. Photo: Kayla Bock
Three Trinity Western University students are leaders at the Global Peace Summit January 10 – 12. A TWU release stated:
Three young leaders from Trinity Western University – Rea Klar, Jeremy Joosten, and Marko Zolotarov – are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime experience to participate in the 3rd Global Peace Summit organized by Humanitarian Affairs Asia. It is a conference designed to empower the next generation of peacebuilders from diverse corners of the world.
The third edition of the Global Peace Summit is set to take place from January 10 to 12, 2024, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Outstanding delegates from around the world will represent their institutions of higher learning at this international conference dedicated to addressing global challenges and fostering peace and sustainable development. . . .
In addition to representing TWU at the 3rd Global Peace Summit, Rea, Marko, and Jeremy have each been selected to be leaders at the conference. Only 11 people from around the world were accepted for a leadership role from a pool of 350 applicants. All three TWU students were chosen, and they are also the only representatives from Canada selected as leaders.
Go here for the full release.
Klar, vice president of the environmental club on campus, was an observer at COP 27 (the 2022 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Joosten is the TWU Student Association (TWUSA) president. Zolotarov, from Ukraine, is TWUSA vice president of student relations.
Pickleball blessings
Pickleball is booming at South Delta Baptist Church.
Churches connect with their surrounding communities in many ways, but I can’t remember having heard about a pickleball connection before. I guess it was just a matter of time, with burgeoning popularity of the sport.
South Delta Baptist Church is a large one, and it has welcomed the community to share its gym: “Our pickleball sessions are open to all adults interested in having fun and improving their fitness.”
The popularity of the sport is indicated by how quickly it has taken hold at the church. Last spring, eight members were introduced to the sport.
Writing on the South Delta blog December 12, Dave Sowerby said:
Our numbers grew very quickly and it became very clear to us early on that God had given us a wonderful opportunity to serve our community by offering people a chance to play at SDBC. We have been privileged to develop so many wonderful connections to those in South Delta and beyond. Sharing our facility with our community brought opportunities to live out our faith and share our faith as well.
Today, our SDBC Pickleball Ministry has about 100 – 130 players come through our gym doors each week and 400 who are signed up to receive our monthly e-newsletter. Presently, we need more players who have a faith in Christ willing to join us to develop those connections with others in the community.
There are opportunities for four levels of play, and participants are asked to limit their attendance to twice a week.
Several charities have benefited from pickleball fees.
A $3 fee is collected at the door when being checked in to each session, but $2 of the fee is used to support several charities.
Sowerby wrote January 4:
It has been a joy for our pickleball committee to be serving our community in South Delta over this last year. We have been blessed to have been able to meet so many new people and to develop friendships while at the same time be given opportunities to live out and share our faith.
As SDBC serves our pickleball community, God has used this same community to serve others by supporting both local and international charities to help those in need.
By using a portion of the fees collected from the players, we began in February by donating $2,500 to our national association, FAIR (Fellowship Aid and International Relief), which was working in Poland. Missionaries working near the border of Ukraine provided relief in the form of food, clothing, and shelter for the Ukrainian citizens fleeing the turmoil engulfing their country.
In April, we donated $1,000 to support SDBC’s Tutoring Program which helps local children with dyslexia. Then, in May, we were able to donate $1,000 to our Share Ministry here at the church to help those in our local community who have financial difficulties.
After the kick-off this past fall, we donated another $1,000 to Starfish Pack South Delta. This initiative provides close to sixty backpacks of food on a weekly basis to students in need within our school district. They take this food home to share with their families over the weekend.
We also were able to provide $1,000 for Reach, which is a local charity that helps children with special needs reach their full potential. Over the month of December, our picklers brought canned and dry goods to be given to the Delta Food Bank along with a $1,000 donation to help needy families balance out their nutritional needs.
Finally, our pickleball community purchased an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be used by the church and our pickleball community in the event of an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
God has blessed us with many players this past year and in turn, God has blessed so many others by assisting those in need in our community and abroad. God can use something as simple as pickleball to achieve his purposes.
The remaining $1 of the fee helps to cover ongoing expenses.
Jan 2024
Bible Friday: Michael F. Bird – What Did Jesus Mean by the 'Kingdom of God?' – January 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm
UBC Chapel – January 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley featuring Wild Blue Herons with Marcus Mosely – January 13, 2024 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Celebrate 95 Years of CMUC with our Organ Concert – January 14, 2024 at 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
2024 World Watch List: Release – January 16, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Healing Journey: Art of Patricia June Vickers – January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 at All Day
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 – January 18, 2024 - January 25, 2024 at All Day
Dwelling: The Practice of Being With – January 18, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
2024 Education Career Fair – January 19, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Living Word of God: Exploring the Intersection of Scripture and Catholic Worship In the Liturgy and Life Study Bible – January 19, 2024 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
How to Develop Financial Wisdom: 7 Biblical Principles for Today’s Challenges – January 19, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
UCM Emerge Conference 2024 – January 19, 2024 - January 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 12:00 pm
BC Christian Academy: Open House – January 20, 2024 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Legacy Education Summit – January 20, 2024 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Prabo Mihindukulasuriya: The Aborigines’ Protection Society: Indigenous Rights Advocacy as Christian Mission in the British Empire – January 22, 2024 at 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Finding Our Way: Truth, Reconciliation & Right Relations – a Conversation with Jody (Puglaas) Wilson-Raybould – January 22, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dispossessed but Defiant – January 23, 2024 - January 31, 2024 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Surrey Christian School: Kindergarten Open House at Fleetwood Campus (two one-hour sessions) – January 23, 2024 at 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Workers On Our Knees: Day of Prayer – January 24, 2024 at All Day
January Series 2024 – January 25, 2024 - January 28, 2024 at All Day
Deb Judas: Cultivating Shalom – January 25, 2024 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
B.C.’s Human Rights Code Educational Sessions – January 25, 2024 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Bioethics and Environmental Ethics – January 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Parent Discipleship Sessions (three events) – January 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Craft of Spirit: BC Liturgical Textiles: Opening – January 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Prayer & Fasting Gathering: Loving Muslims Together Network – January 26, 2024 at All Day
Paul Dirks: Author Spotlight for 'Deep Discipleship for Dark Days' – January 26, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Firestarter Conference – January 26, 2024 - January 27, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with Linda Szentes and Jazzlinks – January 28, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
More Than a Song: Worship Night – January 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hayden Wiseman Violin Concert – January 28, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Bandits and Langley Schools Host 2nd Annual Langley Schools Play Day – January 29, 2024 at All Day
Surrey Christian School: Open House at Fleetwood Campus (three events) – January 30, 2024 at 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
Pastors' Prayer Breakfast – January 31, 2024 at 9:30 am - 10:30 am
A Counter to the Culture of Death: Joseph Ratzinger's Theology of Creation – January 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Celebrating Thomas Merton's Birthday – January 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Night of Worship & Praise with Natasha Zimbaro – January 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Noah Franche-Nolan & Feven Kadane – January 31, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pmFeb 2024
Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story – February 1, 2024 - February 4, 2024 at All Day
Canadian Physicians for Life: Bioethics Symposium on Mental Health – February 1, 2024 - February 3, 2024 at All Day
Youth Worker Conference – February 2, 2024 - February 3, 2024 at All Day
Women Who Adore God – February 2, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Community Movie Screening: Sight – February 2, 2024 at 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm
BC Christian Academy: Open House – February 3, 2024 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Refugee Housing Crisis: Developing a Response – February 3, 2024 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Choosing Life in a Culture of Death – February 3, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
DTES Churches Women's Cultural Celebration – February 3, 2024 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Community Movie Screening: Sight – February 3, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Songs of Freedom – February 3, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Brittany Melton: The Hope of Place: Placedness in Lamentations and Song of Songs – February 5, 2024 at 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
The Installation of Dr. David Robinson as the R. Paul Stevens Chair of Marketplace Theology and Leadership – February 5, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Willingdon School of the Bible & Ministry (four courses) – February 6, 2024 at All Day
Surrey Christian School: Open House at Secondary Campus (three events) – February 6, 2024 at 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
TWU Black History Month: Docuseries & Conversation with Dr. Adkins – February 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Black History Month: Black Prophetic Rhetoric from the Civil Rights Movement to Hip-Hop with Speaker Dr. Theon Hill – February 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Black History Month: Colloquium with Dr. Theon Hill – February 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Art for Peace, Shalom, Salam (Wednesday evenings) – February 7, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Candus Churchill Sings Nina Simone – February 7, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Body Prayer with Ingrid Hauss – February 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with the Diane Lines Quartet – February 11, 2024 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Jesus Christ Superstar Sing-along – February 11, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gloria Wong: sik teng mm sik gong (pardon my chinese) – February 14, 2024 at All Day
Kentro Webinar: Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing – Nice to Have or Need to Have? – February 14, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Christopher Watkin: The Bible as a Tool for Changing Culture – February 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Movie Showing: The Great Debaters – February 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Marcus Mosely & Michael Creber with the reflection by Chris Wong – February 14, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mission Fest Vancouver 2024 – February 15, 2024 - February 17, 2024 at All Day
Discern: Recognizing God's Presence – February 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
UMODJABLACK: Art Exhibition Opening – February 15, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Black History Month Festival of Praise – February 16, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour – February 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Loreto Aramendi : The Virtuoso Organist Returns – February 16, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
God & Sex: Gospel Conversations on Gender, Identity & Sexuality – February 17, 2024 - February 18, 2024 at All Day
Bible Saturday: Jesse Nickel: A Revolutionary Jesus – Violence and Peacemaking in the Kingdom of God – February 17, 2024 at 9:30 am - 11:45 am
Workshop with Loreto Aramendi In collaboration with the Vancouver Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists – February 17, 2024 at 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Loreto Aramendi : The Virtuoso Organist – February 17, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Empowered to Influence: Lunch and Learn (4 Sundays) – February 18, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Vocational Discernment Mini-Course (4 Sunday afternoons) – February 18, 2024 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – February 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advance Summit – February 20, 2024 - February 22, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Reading the Psalms: a Lenten series (4 events) – February 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Why Catholics Need Literature – February 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Alpha Canada: Come & See – February 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Phyllis Adelyne & Don Hardy – February 21, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Marketplace Mornings: Everything You Want Is Not Enough with Jeff Mayhew – February 22, 2024 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Prayer Ministry and the Weekend – February 22, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Serve Our Schools Network – February 22, 2024 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Prayer & Fasting Gathering: Loving Muslims Together Network – February 23, 2024 at All Day
North Shore Night of Worship – February 23, 2024 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: A Tribute to Nina Simone – February 23, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Suzie Ungerleider & Veda Hille – February 23, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Coldest Night of the Year 2024 – February 24, 2024 at All Day
The Long, Long Night of Hope – February 24, 2024 at All Day
iParent | Navigating the World Our Kids Live In with Dr. Dave Currie – February 24, 2024 at 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
GO 2024 Missions Conference – February 24, 2024 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Prophetic Vision of Bishop Remi De Roo: A Symposium – February 24, 2024 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Tomorrowland: How to Understand and Navigate Artificial Intelligence from a Biblical Perspective – February 24, 2024 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Inspired Arts Missions Fundraiser Gala | Photographic Journey Through Israel – February 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
My Cousin's Wedding – February 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Black History Month Service – February 25, 2024 at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
What a great idea to have pickleball in the church – good for that church! What a great example of serving the community. May many people make a connection with Christ’s church this way and finally find Him too!