Around Town: Refugees & Borders; Faith, Grief & COVID-19; Blue Light

An event initiated by Kinbrace, and co-hosted by Journey Home Community, the University of British Columbia and MOSAIC, will ask participants to consider ‘remapping the world we think we know.’

Here are some highlights of Refugees and Borders, which will take place this Saturday afternoon (December 5)

This free webinar begins with a virtual screening of Erin Goheen Glanville’s Borderstory, a dialogue-opener about what the word ‘border’ means to us. Following the film, cross-sector experts will engage questions as part of a panel discussion on the word ‘border’ and give concrete suggestions for policy and law.

Participants are invited to ask honest questions and participate in dialogue based on personal experience and collective curiosity. As global and country citizens, we’ll imagine incremental ways our idea of ‘border” can increasingly become more human-centred and benefit the safety needs of people seeking refuge while honouring the practical need for boundaries.

Moderator

The event will be moderated by Saleem Spindari, Senior Manager of the Refugees and Migrant Workers Programs at MOSAIC.

Hassan al-Kontar, ‘the man from the airport.’

Panelists

  • Hassan al-Kontar – known as the man from the airport, a former Syrian refugee living in Canada, and refugee activist (bio l Twitter: @Kontar81)
  • Efrat Arbel – UBC law professor, examines legal rights in liminal spaces like borders, detention centres and prisons (bio l Twitter: @earbel)
  • Kristi Pinderi – LGBTQ+ Support Worker at DIVERSEcity and refugee advocate / activist living in Metro Vancouver (bio | Twitter: @KristPinderi )
  • Edward Alden – American journalist, author, and the Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (bio l Twitter: @edwardalden)
  • Carlo Handy Charles – Doctoral scholar researching migration, sexuality and race at McMaster University and Université des Antilles (bio l Twitter: @carlo_handy).

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Faith, Grief & COVID-19

Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries has developed Faith, Grief & COVID-19: A Conversation, as a free resource for the community.

Here is how they introduce it:

Faith, Grief, and COVID-19: A Conversation is a resource that addresses the questions so many of us are facing during this pandemic: How do we understand and process grief as people of faith? How can we support vulnerable and grieving members of our community while practicing physical distancing? Where can we find hope and joy in this season?

Four short films feature insights from a panel of experts with knowledge and experience in the fields of counselling, psychology, theology and palliative care. Topics addressed include:

    • the complex and dynamic nature of grief in this season,
    • the presence of grief and lament in Scripture,
    • the role that culture and faith play in shaping our experiences of grief,
    • the importance of empathy and hospitality in the grieving process,
    • practical ways to support those who are grieving.

The films are accompanied by a discussion guide with questions, reflections and prayers – ideal for use in small groups. The guide also offers tips for facilitation, best practices for online meetings and links to further resources on mental health and COVID-19.

Go here to subscribe.

Blue Light Campaign

Archbishop Michael Miller has launched a Blue Light Campaign for the Advent/Christmas season. The B.C. Catholic posted an article:

With the pandemic competing with the Grinch to snuff out Christmas cheer this year, the Archdiocese of Vancouver wants to rewrite the ending of the Christmas 2020 story as one of hope amidst a challenging time for families.

To brighten up dark evenings, the archdiocese is launching a Blue Light Campaign, inviting everyone to use blue lights when decorating their churches and homes as a sign of hope and solidarity with families who have lost loved ones and are experiencing a “blue Christmas” this year. . . .

Blue is traditionally the colour of Mary and a symbol of hope and purity, said archdiocesan project manager Mary Jane Norris. Somehow, it seems to suit hymns like Silent Night.

“There’s something about that colour, blue, that draws me into a place of sacredness and stillness,” she said. While the campaign is launched by Catholics, anyone of any faith is welcome to join in decorating their homes blue and entering a photo contest for the most blue and beautiful Christmas decorations.

“We would love to see the city turn blue!”

Go here for the full article.

A number of churches will no doubt be hosting Blue Christmas services; Cityview Church is holding its first such service this Sunday morning.

Dec 2020

Who is My Neighbor, Abrahamic Dialogue During the Time of COVID – December 3, 2020 at 8:00 am - 9:00 am
EFC Webinar: The Church and Covid – December 3, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Why You Should be Concerned about Euthanasia Bill C-7 – December 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Sanctuary's Virtual Christmas Gala: Heart Mind & (Soul) Sole – December 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Canadian L'Abri Lecture Series: Liz Snell, The Moral Foundation of Freedom – December 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Postponed: Friday Night Reads: The Messiah by Patrick Barlow – December 4, 2020 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Refugees and Borders: Remapping the World We Think We Know – December 5, 2020 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Together Project: A Conversation on Canada's Global Engagement – December 8, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Singalong (At Home) Messiah 2020 – December 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ideas that Matter: David Leong – Reimagining Belonging: Race and Place in Christian Communities – December 9, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cardus: Foundations for a Post-Pandemic World – December 9, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
WROL (Without Rule of Law) – December 10, 2020 - December 13, 2020 at All Day
Rowan Williams: A public lecture to mark the 850th anniversary of the murder of Saint Thomas of Canterbury – December 10, 2020 at 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Human Rights Day Webinar: Forgotten Fundamental Freedoms Panel – December 10, 2020 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Planning for the Post-Pandemic City – December 10, 2020 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dr. Iain Provan: Seeking What is Right – the Old Testament and the Good Life – December 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
St. James Music Academyu 14th Annual Christmas Concert – December 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
LifeCanada presents 'The Culture Call' – December 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Pro-Life Outreach Opportunity in Vancouver (Application Deadline) – December 17, 2020 at All Day
Christmas with Chor Leoni – December 18, 2020 - January 1, 2021 at All Day
Online Conversation with Malcolm Guite – December 18, 2020 at 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Lessons & Carols: From Coast to Coast to Coast – December 18, 2020 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Christmas Presence at Home – December 19, 2020 at All Day
North Shore Community Christmas Dinner – December 19, 2020 at All Day
musica intima: ceremony of carols – December 19, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Brian Doerksen: Christmas at Our House – December 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Hope is Born: A Christmas Special – December 20, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Phoenix Chamber Choir: Rejoice & Sing – December 20, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christmas with the Bach Choir 2020: Digital Edition – December 22, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hope Alight – December 24, 2020 at All Day

Jan 2021

Vancouver 24/7 Week of Prayer – January 8, 2021 - January 15, 2021 at All Day
24/7 Week of Prayer - UBC – January 10, 2021 - January 17, 2021 at All Day
Awaken BC: Prayer for Revival – January 10, 2021 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rhythms Workshop: Refugees – Invited In – January 12, 2021 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Live Webinar: Explore Alpha Online – January 14, 2021 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
SIM: Discerning Your Call in Life – January 14, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Brave Love Canada National Zoom Event – January 16, 2021 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Open Doors Canada: Release of 2021 World Watch List – January 16, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – January 18, 2021 - January 25, 2021 at All Day
Advance Summit: Do the Work of an Evangelist! – January 19, 2021 - January 20, 2021 at 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
National Alpha Kick-off – January 19, 2021 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Men's Ministry Leadership Training 101 – January 19, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Ending Poverty Together Online Workshop – January 20, 2021 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Carmen Joy Imes: Reading the Bible Right Now – January 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
ELO Webinar: Jesus on Economics & Entrepreneurship – An Interview with Jerry Bowyer – January 20, 2021 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Men's Ministry Leadership Training 102 – January 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Webinar: Online Sexually Explicit Material and Pornhub – January 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Joint Prayer Service – Archdiocese of Vancouver / First Baptist Church – January 21, 2021 at 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
An Evening with Dr. Joel Thiessen: The Millennial Mosaic – January 21, 2021 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Comagape Christian Conference 2021 – January 23, 2021 at 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Just 58: Trapped in Transition (documentary focused on community, refugees & Lebanon) – – January 24, 2021 at 7:15 pm - 8:13 pm
Alpha Youth Leader Gathering – January 26, 2021 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Missional Commons Webinar: Thriving Through the Pandemic? – January 26, 2021 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Church after Covid: Allowing the Spirit to Re-orient us around the Mission of God – January 26, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Alpha Webinar: Don’t Give Up – With Dr. Charles Price, Dr. Darrell Johnson, and Dr. Laurel Buckingham – January 27, 2021 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Book Launch: Better Than Brunch – Missional Churches in Cascadia – January 27, 2021 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Paul Allen on Critical Realism – January 27, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
A Table for All Workshop – January 27, 2021 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Tish Harrison Warren: Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep – January 28, 2021 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
A Table for All Workshop – January 28, 2021 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Mission Central: SERVE – Pre-Conference Prayer Night – January 28, 2021 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Human Flourishing in a Technological World: Robert Doede – The West's Journey from Living Selves to Software Selves – January 29, 2021 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Mission Central SERVE: Youth and Young Adult Rally – January 29, 2021 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reading Fratelli Tutti: Pope Francis’ Vision of Fraternity and Social Friendship – January 29, 2021 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
2021 Mission Central Conference: SERVE – January 30, 2021 - January 31, 2021 at 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Summit 2021: 'Conversion Therapy,' Conversion and the Gospel of Grace – January 30, 2021 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
SIM: What is Poverty? What does that look like in Canada? – January 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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