Around Town: Save Jacob’s Well, Beyond Culture Wars, Global Day of Prayer . . .

Jacob’s Well hopes to raise $50,000 by June 15, to help secure its move to a new location.

It seems ironic, to me at least, that the last time I was at Jacob’s Well, long-time activist Jean Swanson was making an impassioned presentation about gentrification – describing the way that uncaring governments and business forces were tearing apart the Downtown Eastside community.

Her words are now coming true for her host, Jacob’s Well. This is how they describe their situation:

After 16 years of residency, Jacob’s Well Ministry has been evicted from 239 Main Street in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver. The property has been sold and will be used for new purposes, and so Jacob’s Well will be homeless as of September 1st, 2017.

The Jacob’s Well community feels called to continue its ministry in the DTES. Moving and reestab-lishing ourselves in a new location, however, requires our entire community to meet the challenge of moving within a short time frame: Jacob’s Well needs to raise $50,000 by June 15 as a first step towards procuring and renovating a new facility where we can continue the work of building relation-ships and sharing God’s love with our neighbours. If we are unsuccessful in raising the funds we will be forced to consider closing our doors for good.

Jacob’s Well seems to have quite a number of people in their corner. Thus far, they have raised more than $10,000 of the $50,000. Go here if you would like to help them out.

Brenna Rose of CBC News interviewed Silas Krabbe, co-director of Jacob’s Well, May 26:

Krabbe says he isn’t sure how they’ll be able to afford rent at another location.
“We’re looking at a market rate of double what we’re currently paying.”
The faith-based charity provides support and community activities to members of the Downtown Eastside, but Krabbe says, more importantly, it gives people a sense of belonging.
“So there’s a need for human connection and being validated,” said Krabbe. “Someone you know can hear about your bad day or your good day or hear about what has happened in your week.”

Here are some ways Jacob’s Well is asking people to help out:

• Pray for God’s provision and direction for Jacob’s Well.
• Give financially or pledge your support towards our $50,000 target.
• Experience our community at one of our fundraisers: June 3 – Walkathon (1:30 pm at Stanley Park Miniature Railway Entrance); June 9 – Pizza Party Fundraiser (4 – 8 pm, corner of Cordova & Princess).
• Advocate for Jacob’s Well. Connect us with your church or potential donors, and/or share our fundraising campaign on your Facebook page.

Beyond the Culture Wars

Gordon T. Smith will speak on secularism and culture wars at Regent College.

What with Donald Trump in the White House and the Green NDPs ready to knock the Liberals off their perch, this seems a good time to address a topic like Being Christian in a Secular Society: Getting Beyond the Culture Wars.

Fortunately that is the name of a public lecture by Gordon T. Smith, next Wednesday (June 7) at Regent College. Smith is president of Ambrose College University and Seminary in Calgary, but still visits Regent regularly as a sessional lecturer.

Smith will consider these issues:

Can we find a way, as a Christian community, to thrive – not just survive – in a society that is increasingly secular? Can we avoid both the “ghetto” and the “culture wars” and find a way in “such a time as this” to be in but not of our world?
Drawing on the wisdom of the early, pre-Christendom church and the experience of today’s church in societies that are even further along on the journey to secularism than North America (Western Europe for example), this lecture will suggest a way for individual Christians, churches and Christian institutions to thrive in a secular context.
Smith will be busy during this visit to the coast. Last week I wrote about Catholics and Evangelicals: What Can We Learn from Each Other?, where he will be a keynote speaker June 10.
City-wide Prayer: Global Day of Prayer

Join us – and tell your friends – about the City-wide Worship and Prayer event at Granville Chapel Sunday evening (June 4) from  6:30 – 8:30 pm.

June 4 is also the Global Day of Prayer. You will be joining hundreds of thousands of people from around the world as we pray for our city, our nation and the world.

We’ll also be praying specifically for Voices Together July 1. Voices Together is a celebration of goodness of God on Canada’s 150th birthday. This free event will take place at the Pacific Coliseum and is presented by a team of leaders from local churches and local interdenominational ministries.

Jun 2017

(in)finite: Spiritual Conversations in Cloth – June 1, 2017 - June 4, 2017 at All Day
Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation – June 2, 2017 - June 4, 2017 at All Day
More Than an Art Show – June 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Un-Stuck: Inspiring Movement Toward Christ and His Mission – June 3, 2017 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Christian Estate Planning Seminar – June 3, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Praise in the Park – June 4, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
City-wide Prayer: Global Day of Prayer – June 4, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Concert and Reading with Sam Rocha: Tell Them Something Beautiful – June 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ARC Canada Conference 2017 – June 6, 2017 - June 7, 2017 at All Day
Experience Regent – June 6, 2017 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Reading the Bible in China – June 6, 2017 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited Golf Tournament – June 7, 2017 at 10:30 am - 7:30 pm
Business By the Book: Darian Kovacs – June 7, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Made in God's Image – June 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mark Buchanan: Truth and Reconciliation – How Do We Respond? – June 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gordon T. Smith: Being Christian in a Secular Society – Getting Beyond the Culture Wars – June 7, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Armi Grano & Friends – June 7, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Anabaptist Theology: Methods and Practices Conference – June 8, 2017 - June 9, 2017 at All Day
Mackay: The Black Bearded Bible Man – June 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Stanley – June 8, 2017 - June 10, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Family Matters Preview Conference – June 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
IN SPIRED: An art show and poetry reading – June 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Bible Confronts Patriarchy: A Workshop on Gender Equality – June 9, 2017 - June 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Some Like it Hot: An alternative, biblical view of climate change – June 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Run for the Nations: DRIME 2017 annual charity fundraiser – June 10, 2017 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Catholics & Evangelicals: What Can We Learn From Each Other? – June 10, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thousands Not Billions: The results of the RATE project on the age of the earth – June 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hymn Festival – June 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
One City, One Message – June 11, 2017 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Glenda Rae, Brett Wade & Miles Black – June 11, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Song-cology BC Cancer Fundraiser – June 11, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
A Gospel Sing-Along Evening with Richard Stepp – June 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Philosophers' Cafe: What do you think about C.S. Lewis’s views on love? – June 12, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Laura A. Smit: Beauty as Iconoclast – June 14, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Natasha D'Agostino & Friends – June 14, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
UGM: Call for Artists – June 15, 2017 - June 16, 2017 at All Day
Generous Space Launch Party – June 15, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Steve Imbach: Spiritual Direction – Contemplative Prayer Night – June 15, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Serving Refugees – June 17, 2017 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. Andrew's United Church 12th annual Teddy Bear Picnic – June 17, 2017 at 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Market Day for Cambodia – June 17, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Organ Concerti: Gail Ovington, Carmen Ranta – June 17, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
World Refugee Sunday – June 18, 2017 at All Day
Point Grey Fiesta: Ecumenical Service – June 18, 2017 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Beyond 150: A Street Party in Honour of National Aboriginal Day – June 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Screening: Countdown to Sanctuary Wood – June 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Church Leaders Forum: Flying in Formation – June 20, 2017 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Mental Health, Faith and Community – June 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Migration, Mission and Multiplication Movements – June 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
National Aboriginal Day Observance – June 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Marcos Flo & Friends – June 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Grace W.S. Tan: Through the Eyes of Agape – June 22, 2017 at All Day
Charles Montgomery: Soul and the City – June 22, 2017 at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Between the Sheets – June 22, 2017 - June 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Jenny Banai & Bre McDaniel – June 23, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Over 18 Film Screening – June 24, 2017 at 9:15 am - 12:30 pm
Martin Luther Remembered – June 24, 2017 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Walk for Water – June 24, 2017 at 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Borders to Beginnings – June 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jeremy Pearsons – June 24, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Pastor Anil Kant and Family – June 24, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ember – June 24, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
World Refugee Sunday – June 25, 2017 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Karen Graves & Miles Black – June 25, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Quintessential Jazz – June 25, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Pastor Anil Kant and Family – June 25, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Vancouver International Jazz Festival: Cyrus Chestnut Trio – June 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Prayer Walk for Voices Together – June 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Nathen Aswell & Friends – June 28, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Eastside Story Guild: Women at War – June 29, 2017 - June 30, 2017 at All Day
Vancouver International Jazz Festival: Jazz Vespers at St. Andrew's-Wesley – June 29, 2017 - July 2, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea – June 29, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Jul 2017

Lamenting Canada's 150 Years of Colonization – July 1, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Voices Together 2017 – July 1, 2017 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Canada 150 Parade: Russ Rosen & Band – July 2, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Athletes in Action: Tsawwassen Alliance Church Soccer Camp – July 3, 2017 at 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Athletes in Action: Richmond Baptist Church Soccer Camp – July 3, 2017 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty – July 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Krish Kandiah: Spirit of Adoption – The Forgotten Gospel Treasure – July 3, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Business By the Book: Neil & Sharol Josephson – July 5, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Formation and Vocation: Christian Spirituality as it Relates to Vocation – July 5, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
In the Garden: Beauty Bears Witness - Opening Reception – July 5, 2017 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Soong-Chan Rah: Prophetic Lament – Moving from Triumphalism to Truth – July 5, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge – July 5, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Scorsese's Silence and the Revelation of God – July 6, 2017 at 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Annual Merton Lecture: Western Monastics Look East – July 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto Choir free concert – July 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Problem Child – July 6, 2017 - July 8, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Rising Eagle Reconciliation Concert – July 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto Choir free concert – July 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge – July 7, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Carolyn Arends & Christopher Hall: John 17 - Praying Like Jesus (Summer Prayer Retreat) – July 8, 2017 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Earthkeepers: Clean Up New Brighton Park – July 8, 2017 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Watoto Choir free concert – July 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Kickers Soccer Camp – July 10, 2017 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
New Christian Reformers and the Jews – July 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Susan Phillips: Retrieving the Ancient Practice of Spiritual Direction in an Age of Self-help – July 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ashley John Moyse: The Art of Living for a Technological Age – July 11, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Rikk Watts: Steve Jobs, Jony Ive and the Gospel – Reading Mark with Leading Edge Designers – July 12, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
BC Christian Ashram Retreat – July 14, 2017 - July 16, 2017 at All Day
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