This image, Flock, by Celia Sage, is featured on the cover of the 2023 – 2024 calendar.
The Christian year begins earlier than our normal calendar year – with Advent rather than January 1. So this is a good time to buy a calendar which reflects that reality.
Produced by University Hill Congregation, Salt of the Earth: A Christian Seasons Calendar has attracted worldwide attention and sales.
Theologian Walter Brueggemann said:
I am so glad to see the emergence of this calendar because we Christians are in an emergency about time.
It is clear that dominant culture in North America no longer knows what time it is, because every season has now been homogenized into an uninterrupted ‘shopping season’ and when we do not know what time it is we are unlikely to remember ‘former times’ and surely have no ground to hope for ‘new things’.
This new calendar refers all our seasons back to the Lord of all time and may, in quite concrete ways, provide a form of resistance against the timelessness of consumerism back into the timefulness of our faith.
The church itself says:
Bailey Hindmarsh contributed Feeding of the Five Thousand.
Christ is our time. This unique wall calendar unfolds the Christian year through scripture, liturgical colour and artwork. From Advent to Reign of Christ, it offers an alternative way of remembering and living in the story of Jesus. It is a valuable resource for disciples who live in cultures that have forgotten or never heard the Christian story.
The 11 artists come from all over North America, and as far away as Britain and Australia. But two have strong local connections:
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Bailey Hindmarsh (Feeding of the Five Thousand) is an illustrator, artist and coordinator for Creative Life, an arts outreach program for vulnerable youth in Vancouver. She has an MDiv from Regent College. Art for Bailey is personally, communally and spiritually formational.
- M. Jennifer Griffin (The Sentinel) used cardboard and paper towels to draw on when three; her father soon taught her to sharpen pencils with a knife. She studied painting and illustration at Malaspina College, Emily Carr School of Art + Design and 92nd Street Y. She continues to eschew conventional canvases and sharpeners.
Go here to learn more.
Gateway cities
Geographer David Ley does not see much chance that housing in Vancouver will become more affordable, given current government policies.
The retired the UBC professor just completed a book which addresses the issue.
Housing Booms in Gateway Cities (Wiley, July 2023) “delivers a detailed exploration of housing markets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver and London and explains why these gateway cities have seen dramatic increases in residential real estate prices since the 1980s.”
Kerry Gold wrote about Ley’s work for The Globe and Mail October 20:
A gateway city is a city through which international trade and immigrant labour is part of its economic engine, which makes it a vibrant and cosmopolitan urban centre. Gateway cities are also prone to wildly unstable housing markets and social inequality.
Prof. Ley, a recent recipient of the Order of Canada, found that in the cities he travelled to and investigated – with the exception of Singapore – there has been a significant decoupling between the price of housing and incomes. In other words, many people can no longer buy a home with the amount they make. . .
His 2010 book [Millionaire Migrants: Trans‐Pacific Life Lines] dove into the influx of East Asian wealth that was reshaping Vancouver, the result, he said, of the provincial government’s courting of Asian money that began around the time of Expo 86 . . .
But a problem emerged. By 2016, at the peak of the boom, the divergence between local incomes and home prices in Vancouver had never been wider. That same gap had grown in London, Sydney and Hong Kong as well.
Only Singapore maintained a parallel growth between incomes and home prices. Prof. Ley said that’s because that city’s real estate market is state-controlled, with 80 per cent of Singaporean residents owning leasehold properties. Foreign buying and investor buying is tightly controlled and hugely taxed. Singapore raised its foreign-buyer tax to a whopping 60 per cent and local investors get taxed 20 per cent on second properties. . . .
David Ley at Reimagining Home.
“With current policies, I see little prospect that there will be a narrowing of the decoupling gap,” Prof. Ley said. “There has to be much more determination to control the entire property investment picture, foreign and local, and build the right kind of supply, that is truly affordable supply.”
There’s much more to it, of course. Read the full article, or consider buying Housing Booms in Gateway Cities.
Ley has been active in the Christian community over the years. For example, he made some of the same points brought out in the article during an address at Epiphany Chapel October 21, as part of a CityGate Vancouver event, Reimagining Home.
I have posted several articles about his work, including earlier this year to note his appointment to the Order of Canada. Every summer for many years Ley has led Postmodern Urban Spaces tours from Regent College, where he has been a board member. He attends St. John’s Vancouver Anglican Church.
Rufus Gibbs is a largely forgotten Vancouver philanthropist. CVA 136-419.1964. Allan Ray, photographer.
Vancouver As It Was continues to offer obscure but fascinating glimpses into our history. Here is a portion of one recent entry:
When the subject of Vancouver philanthropists comes up in conversation, the names H. R. MacMillan, Leon Koerner, Jimmy Pattison, Jack Diamond and David Lam are likely to arise. But the name of Rufus Gibbs is less likely to come up. . . .
He settled in Vancouver in 1908, where he established Gibbs Tool & Stamping Works, which specialized in manufacturing fishing lures. . . . Interestingly, the Gibbs fishing lure company has endured. After several mergers, Gibbs Fishing is today a going concern, some 115 years after it was founded by Rufus Gibbs in Vancouver.
Gibbs contributed to a number of causes during his life, including the East Side Boys Club, the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society and the Vancouver Aquarium. When he died in 1986, he left the bulk of his estate to “impoverished Anglican churches in BC,” and $25,000 to the Salvation Army.
Go here for the full story.
Oct 2023
Theatre of the Beat – October 26, 2023 at All DayAndrew Root: When Church Stops Working – October 26, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Steve Bell: Sacred Word / Sacred Hope (Canadian Bible Society Event) – October 26, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
White Rock-South Surrey Leadership Prayer Breakfast – October 27, 2023 at 7:00 am - 9:00 am
Canadian L'Abri Lecture: Beth Stovell, Ambrose Univ prof, OT scholar, "Job: Hope in the Midst of Suffering" – October 27, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Steve Bell Solo Concert – October 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
An Evening with Amanda, featuring Amanda Sum – October 27, 2023 - October 28, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Guiding Schools to Flourish – October 28, 2023 at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Bible Saturday with Drew Lewis – October 28, 2023 at 9:30 am - 11:45 am
Fall Fair – October 28, 2023 at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
The Awesome Sale – October 28, 2023 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
OM Fundraising Partner Luncheon: Arabian Peninsula – October 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Trunk or Treat – October 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
10th Hallelujah Night presented by Blue Ocean Movement – October 28, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Steve Bell Solo Concert – October 28, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Worship Invasion Loves Surrey – October 28, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Very Very Improv – October 28, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Heart of the City: Introduction to the Pipe Organ – October 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Trunk or Treat – October 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with the Von Trapped Family – October 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Regent Forum: George Guthrie – Long Ago God Spoke: Divine Action in the Scriptures According to Hebrews – October 30, 2023 at 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Trunk or Treat – October 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Fall Fiesta (Coastal Church, 5 locations) – October 31, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
FunFest 2023 – October 31, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
All Hallow’s Eve Vigil and Procession – October 31, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Light in the Night – October 31, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Vancouver Zion Mission Choir: Sing Hallelujah! - From Darkness into Light – October 31, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Nov 2023
Imagination Retreat – November 1, 2023 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pmHoly War in the Holy Land – November 1, 2023 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Healing Journey: Art of Patricia June Vickers - Opening Reception – November 1, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tanya Gaw & Guests: SOGI Indoctrination Exposed – November 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Resilience: An Exclusive Interview with Attorney Samson Inocencio Jr. – November 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
2023 Delta Christian School Annual Open House – November 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shaped by Shame: How do we receive the grace that can transform us? – November 2, 2023 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Holy Spirit and the Eagle Feather: The Struggle for Indigenous Pentecostalism in Canada – November 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Discover the World of Bees – November 2, 2023 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Heart of the City: Bells of St. James – November 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Toast Talks: Updates from First United – November 2, 2023 at 4:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Christian Advocacy Society Autumn Banquet Fundraiser – November 2, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Heart of the City: Requiem for All Souls – November 2, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Requiem in D minor, K. 626, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – November 2, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
An Around the Table intercultural ministry workshop – November 3, 2023 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Canadian L'Abri Lecture: Josue Reichow, Brazilian L'Abri worker, "Reflections on Critical Theory" – November 3, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jake Garton & Kathleen Nisbet – November 3, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Christmas Craft Fair – November 4, 2023 at 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Church Network for Refugee Welcome – November 4, 2023 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Fair Trade & Artisan Market – November 4, 2023 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Nifty Thrifty Store – November 4, 2023 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hymn Festival: Great is Thy Faithfulness – November 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
International Day of Prayer 2023: Courage to Rise Above – November 5, 2023 at All Day
Equip & Build Lunch – November 5, 2023 at 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Rise in Grace – November 5, 2023 at 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Healing Journey: Art of Patricia June Vickers - Panel Discussion – November 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stories from our Living Rooms 2023: New Hope Fundraising Night – November 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mental Health Speaker: Dr. Rami Nader – November 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Community at a Crossroads: Paving the Way to a Stronger Tomorrow – November 8, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Lorraine Foster & Friends – November 8, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Singing Christmas Tree: Tickets available today! – November 8, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
InspirED Convention 2023 – November 9, 2023 - November 10, 2023 at All Day
Journey to Bethlehem (in several theatres) – November 9, 2023 - November 16, 2023 at All Day
Marketplace Mornings: Missional Innovation with Stephen Mulder – November 9, 2023 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Apologetics: What Paul Could Learn from Socrates – November 9, 2023 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Charting New Horizons for Independent Education – November 9, 2023 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Worship Night with Phil Wickham – November 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
'Indictment' & Justice for Myles Gray – November 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
My Cousin's Wedding – November 10, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Canadian L'Abri Lecture: Clarke Scheibe, "The Birds and the Bees, Take Two: A Positive View of Biblical Sexuality" – November 10, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Heart for Asia Youth Celebration: Now is the Hour – November 10, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Holy Spirit Weekend – November 10, 2023 - November 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference – November 10, 2023 - November 12, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Heart for Asia Conference: Now is the Hour – November 11, 2023 at 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Regent Forum: Cindy Aalders - “Sweet and Sorrowful Death: Representations of the ars moriendi of Eighteenth-Century Children” – November 13, 2023 at 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
ARPA Canada Fall Tour 2023: The Way You Are – November 13, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Road to COP Webinar: Churches’ Advocacy on Loss and Damage – November 14, 2023 at 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
A Special Jazz Evensong with Elizabeth Shepherd – November 14, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
2023 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship – November 15, 2023 - November 19, 2023 at All Day
ELO Forum Vancouver 2023 – November 15, 2023 at 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
2023 Conway Holy Land Presentation: The Rise of Radicalism and Repression of Rights in the Holy Land – November 15, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
TWU Ecosystem Foraging Walk – November 16, 2023 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Praying Together: A Christian Response to the War in Ukraine – November 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Canadian Christian Education Movement – November 16, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Energy in Motion: An emotions workshop with Hillary McBride – November 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays – November 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
JustWork's Taste of Dignity 2023 – November 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ecotones Arts Festival – November 17, 2023 - November 19, 2023 at All Day
Viewing the World Through Missions Lens – November 17, 2023 - November 19, 2023 at 12:00 am
Friends of Israel Fall Conference: Has the Church Replaced Israel? – November 17, 2023 - November 18, 2023 at 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Ignite Vancouver: Cultivating United Prayer Across Canada – November 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Canadian L'Abri Lecture: Hannah Eichelberger, "On The Book of Kells" – November 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Union Conference – November 17, 2023 - November 18, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 4:30 pm
West Coast Miracle Healing Conference – November 17, 2023 - November 19, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: The Sower - The Dan Reynolds Trio – November 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Craft Fair – November 18, 2023 at 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Como Lake Holiday Marketplace – November 18, 2023 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Annual Christmas Bazaar – November 18, 2023 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Community Handcraft Market – November 18, 2023 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
A Kid's Canadian Art Class (4 Saturday afternoons) – November 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with Linda Szentes & Jazz Links – November 19, 2023 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with Linda Szentes & Jazz Links – November 19, 2023 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with Linda Szentes & Jazz Links – November 19, 2023 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm