Around Town: South Van Walk, God Loves Vancouver, Tolkien . . .

Anglicans have played an important role in Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA), and they were out on the streets April 14 to inspect sidewalk safety as part of the MVA’s South Van Social Inclusion Sidewalk Project.

The South Van Intergenerational Neighbourhood Walk was led by project co-chair Jayne Fenrich of St. Thomas Anglican Church.

A report by Randy Murray on the Anglican Diocesan website stated:

Sponsored by MVA and the City of Vancouver’s Pedestrian Spot Improvement Program, the goal was to learn how unsafe sidewalks contribute to social isolation, to raise awareness about how our sidewalks should work for everybody and to get a commitment from the city to take action to repair the sidewalks this spring. There have been increasing reports about the state of sidewalks contributing to people’s fear of falling.

The focus of this particular walk was to inspect the state of the sidewalks in the Matheson/Arbor area of south[east] Vancouver. Jayne [Fenrich], Reverend Margaret Marquardt and others, with City of Vancouver Engineering and Transportation staff, had a very successful early afternoon looking at this growing problem that has gone largely unaddressed, particularly the social isolation aspect.

Fenrich wrote a report about the Social Inclusion team and its work on the MVA site:

The South Vancouver cluster is made up of MVA member institutions in the neighbourhood – St. Thomas Anglican Church, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, First Lutheran Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Parish.

Each did a listening campaign [last fall] and heard from their members that social isolation was a major pressure facing families in the neighbourhood. We heard that sidewalk disrepair was causing social isolation among seniors and those with mobility challenges, such as needing a flat surface to use their a walker or wheelchair.

Go here for the full report.

Metro Vancouver Alliance is “a broad-based alliance of community groups, labour, faith and educational institutions working together for the common good.” I have written several articles about its work.

God Loves Vancouver 

Thrive Church meets in Richmond, but its vision clearly extends beyond the boundaries of its home city.

During the month of May, it sponsors God Loves Vancouver (GLV), a project “that shares God’s love, reaching into the heart of Vancouver’s communities and overflowing to those in need. Help us transform and bring hope to our city one initiative at a time.”

God Loves Vancouver features nine events:

• Serve a Meal (May 10)
• Water Flash Mob (May 13, 20)
• City Clean Up (May 19)
• Kid Power (May 20)
• Popcorn & Movie (May 26)
• Give Blood (May 26)
• The Thrive Run (May 27)
• Thriving Families (ongoing)
• Gifts Against Violence (ongoing)

Lead pastor B Lim described how God Loves Vancouver came about:

The motivation behind GLV actually first came to me in a movie theatre back in 2012. I was watching The Dark Knight Rises and took note of that scene where Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) is recovering from his injuries while painfully watching on a TV screen as the city he loves is under attack.

I had a Holy Spirit moment right there and then, where I sensed God say, “That’s the way My heart breaks for Vancouver.” That became the impetus for GLV, a community service campaign started by Thrive Church that is now in its sixth straight year.

GLV is about catching more of God’s heart for our city and doing something about it. It’s fueled by the belief that God doesn’t just care about individuals, but as the Bible evidences repeatedly, God has a heart for cities. GLV is about showing God’s love for the people of Greater Vancouver. Through GLV we are encouraging everyone at Thrive Church and anyone else who is interested to step out of their comfort zones and serve the practical needs of people in our city.

Go here to find out more about the events and to sign up.

At long last, Tolkien

I’ve been waiting for this one. Pacific Theatre’s founding artistic director Ron Reed has dreamed and laboured over this play for years. I’m sure it’s close to his heart, and the two main characters are loved by millions, including me.

Here is PT’s brief description of Tolkien, which opens next Friday (May 11):

Legends in wait, the worlds of Narnia and Middle Earth may never have come to be were it not for an unlikely friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Over 30 years they pushed each others’ imaginations, faith and curiosity, growing together – and eventually growing apart.

Where can friendship take us?

It is already four years since Reed initiated an Indiegogo campaign to underwrite costs related to his ‘Tolkien-Lewis New Play Project.’ (Go here for an article I wrote at the time.) Here’s a portion of his amusing pitch:

What’s great about this project is we know this script will be staged. It happens that I’m the artistic director of Pacific Theatre . . . and I know that this play will be loved by our audience. The fact is that once Ron Reed the freelance playwright finishes writing this play, Ron Reed the artistic director is really likely to want to see this play on stage.

Would [Tolkien] even have completed The Lord of the Rings if others, and especially Lewis, had not been egging him on, if they’d not had the opportunity to read these things to one another, would they have even come to be? Who knows?

The time has come to find out – at least to find out what Ron Reed makes of it all. I am counting on his years of hard work, attention to detail and control of his craft to steer us into renewed appreciation of the two men, their work and their characters.

May 2018

First Reformed – May 1, 2018 - May 7, 2018 at All Day
Grow Your Own Medicine Seminar (Bye, Bye Malaria Society) – May 3, 2018 at 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
DivorceCare (Thursday evenings) – May 3, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
DivorceCare for Kids (Thursday evenings) – May 3, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Abide Women's Conference: Even Better than Eden, featuring Nancy Guthrie – May 4, 2018 - May 5, 2018 at 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
Leadercast: Lead Yourself – May 4, 2018 at 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Life on the Margins: a weekend workshop – May 4, 2018 - May 5, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Viper Central – May 4, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Find Hope, Live Life: Journey Canada Annual Fundraiser – May 5, 2018 at 12:00 am
Arise Girl Conference – May 5, 2018 at 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Faith, Mental Health & Caring for One Another – May 5, 2018 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: A Glorious Thing – May 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Mighty Fraser Big Band – May 6, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Double Portion in Concert – May 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Reconciliation in the Justice System: Restorative Justice and Law – May 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. David Wilkinson: Hawking, Dawkins & Artificial Intelligence – Communicating Jesus in a Scientific World – May 8, 2018 at 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
2018 Pastors & Leaders Conference: Ambassadors – Christ in the Public Square – May 9, 2018 - May 11, 2018 at All Day
Mission Possible Tour – May 9, 2018 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Nikki Toyama-Szeto: Skipping Stones in Glass Homes – Navigating the Generational Gifts of Immigrant Churches – May 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
SOLD! Housing Forum – May 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Dylan Cramer & Ron Johnston – May 9, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Presence of Absence by Erin Ware – May 10, 2018 at All Day
March for Life – May 10, 2018 at 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Dr. Roberts Liardon – May 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Almost, Maine by John Cariani – May 10, 2018 - May 12, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
FamilyLife BC Marriage and Family Conference – May 11, 2018 - May 12, 2018 at All Day
From Sea to Sea . . . to Sky! Science & Christianity in Canada – May 11, 2018 - May 14, 2018 at All Day
Hearing God in the Midst of a Busy Life – May 11, 2018 at 9:30 am - 2:15 pm
The Wellspring Gala – May 11, 2018 at 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm
Welcome the Stranger: Refugees Becoming Neighbours – May 11, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Zambia Fundraiser – May 12, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fares Fair: Affordable Transit for All – May 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Bob Ekblad: 'Teaser Night' for Certificate in Transformational Ministry at the Margins – May 12, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Gospel Music Festival with Blackwood Brothers – May 12, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fauré's Requiem and Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna – May 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sky Gala: Katharine Hayhoe, Janet Danielson & the Isotone Ensemble – May 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:45 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale: A Glorious Thing – May 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Kantatefeier: A Cantata Celebration – May 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm
Your Last Walk in the Mosque – May 13, 2018 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Darlene Ketchum & Bill Sample – May 13, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Taste & See: An Edible Science & Faith Odyssey – May 14, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
FaithTech at #BCTech – May 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Gordon T. Smith: Catechesis for a Secular Age – The Wisdom of 1 Peter – May 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Joshua Coutts: Denominating God in Earliest Christianity – May 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Milk Crate Bandits – May 16, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Thy Kingdom Come – May 17, 2018 - May 20, 2018 at All Day
Dr. Paul Heintzman: Toward a Holistic Understanding of Leisure – Christian Perspectives – May 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Sojourners – May 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
A Mexican Pop-Up Dinner: Taste of the Sea and Spanish Stories – May 19, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Handel Society Presents . . . – May 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Self Defence Seminar for Women – May 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Spiritual Perspectives on Death & Dying – May 22, 2018 at All Day
Lines of Thought: Drawing Explorations & Painting Studies - Opening Reception – May 23, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Cameron Johnston: Stress Management Seminar – May 23, 2018 - May 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Susan Phillips: Narrative and Pilgrimage – Forming Our Stories in the Company of Others – May 23, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Angela Verbrugge Quartet – May 23, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word – May 24, 2018 at All Day
Tax Clinic – May 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB: Preaching and Communicating in a Franciscan Era – What is the Church Learning from an Argentine, Jesuit Pope? – May 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cultivating Life – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
HISTORYMAKER WEEKEND 2018 – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
River School: Journeys in Compassion, with Steve Stewart – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
Walk in the Spirit of Reconciliation – May 25, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at All Day
Invisible Injustice Forum – May 25, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
#ChurchToo Conference: Responding to Professional Sexual Misconduct – May 25, 2018 - May 26, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Together for Adoption Conference – May 25, 2018 - May 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Global Outreach Day – May 26, 2018 at All Day
Labyrinth Prayer: A Pilgrim Journey Close to Home – May 26, 2018 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Refugee Support: Basic Training – May 26, 2018 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
Understanding Islam & Loving Muslims – May 26, 2018 at 8:45 am - 12:00 pm
An Act of Re-membering Workshop – May 26, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Learning By Design: Effective Strategies for Teaching Adults – May 26, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Books 'n Bistro Boutique – May 26, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Living Single Again (Saturday mornings) – May 26, 2018 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
All That is SHE: Benefit for the Joy Smith Foundation – May 26, 2018 at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Praise and Worship Concert – May 26, 2018 - May 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Worship Invades White Rock – May 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Strong Women of Song – May 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: The Hot Mammas – May 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
VOS 2018 Spring Concert: Psalms of My Soul – May 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Focus on Life 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner – May 28, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The Nones: An Evolving Story of Secularity in Canada – May 29, 2018 at 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Dr. Zac Niringiye: Christian Witness and the Common Good – Repenting Mission – May 30, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Bill Weeds Trio – May 30, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Jun 2018

Christian Faith and Popular Culture Conference – June 1, 2018 at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Carnival: Richmond Christian School's 60th Anniversary – June 1, 2018 at 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Business As Mission Social Impact Investment Conference – June 1, 2018 - June 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What is the ‘Best’ Evidence God Created? with Carl Kerby – June 1, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Meets Gospel – June 2, 2018 at All Day
Book Signing: For Better, For Worse – June 2, 2018 at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Genesis and Jesus with Carl Kerby – June 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
REST Fest 2018 – June 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Creation Science AGM Dinner Meeting & Finding God in Ancient China with Carl Kerby – June 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professions (NACCAP) Annual Conference – June 5, 2018 at All Day
A Community Aware: Resisting the Pipeline – June 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celia Deane-Drummond: The Lost Soul of Homo – Humility, Wisdom & Technology in Deep Evolutionary Time – June 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Paul Stevens & Alvin Ung: Spiritual Friendship & Mentoring Today – June 6, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Minho Song: Unchanging Mission Principles in an Age of Rapid Change – Lessons from the Past – June 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Bryn Kinders & Friends – June 6, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
First Reformed – June 7, 2018 at All Day