Around Town: Stronger Together, pray for TWU, Iain Provan teaching pastors …

To launch three new rice mills into rural communities in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, to address local issues of poverty and trafficking with an upstream, strategic solution allowing youth to remain in their villages.

Six foundations joined together in 2017 to collectively award $1,090,000 in grants to innovative projects run by Canadian Christian charities. Participating donors included founding members Bridgeway Foundation and John & Rebecca Horwood, along with more recent collaborators Kehila Foundation, Redleaf Foundation, and River Dali Foundation. This year the David & Dorothy Lam Foundation joined in to make us even stronger together! These partners believe that by sharing due diligence and communicating clearly and strategically, that funds can become more productively deployed than if any one donor had given individually.

Grants are awarded for innovations such as: the merger of two similar water-delivery charities, the development of a robust digital network for Canadian Christian leaders, creating sustainable livelihoods for youth in Cambodia and Ghana, medical testing for women in the remote Colombian Amazon, expansion to a new area for education training in Rwanda, national research on what makes for flourishing churches and the expansion of a wellness centre for students.

Bridgeway Foundation has been supporting Canadian charities since 1997 and has been working closely with several other foundations in recent years.

Lawyers representing Trinity Western University (TWU) will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada November 30 – December 1 to argue for the university’s right to operate a law school. (The arduous process has gone on for several years now; see the timeline here.) President Bob Kuhn and all supporters of the school would appreciate your prayers.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is strongly backing Trinity Western:

Sunday, November 26 is a day set apart to pray for the successful resolution of the Trinity Western University law school case, which will be heard in the Supreme Court of Canada on November 30 and December 1. This day of prayer is an initiative of The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.

Because of the broad potential implications of this case, it is also a day to pray for the future of religious freedom in Canada. Free resources are available for you to download and reproduce for your church or other group.

Go here for a one-page summary of the facts and their significance and here for a bulletin insert.

Also on the 26th, Missions Fest and Hope Vancouver invite you to join them for City-wide Prayer on Zoom, which will focus on Trinity Western’s law school, freedom of religion in Canada and Mission Fest Vancouver.

Regent College will be hosting a special afternoon session for pastors with Dr. Iain Provan next Thursday (November 30). He will address the topic Reformation 500: Why Should Pastors Care?, relying on his impressive and extensive (712 page) book The Reformation and the Right Reading of Scripture.

Provan feels the Bible is not being taken seriously enough in most churches. He said in a Regent video:

One has to wonder now, 500 years since that fateful day in 1517, if Martin Luther would not feel we have lost the greatest resource, both for the Reformation and for the life of the church. Though we often seem to envisage Luther with hammer and nails, it was in fact the Bible that he saw as the greatest tool, the most indispensable resource in both living the Christian life and then restoring the church. But how are we to read the Bible in a way that leads to this kind of restoration. It’s that question that led me to the writing of my book . . .

Regent College invites pastors and church leaders to come out for “an in-depth conversation with Iain Provan.” They request an RSVP to [email protected].

Regent College is planning to develop more weekday training events for pastors in the future.

Speaking of Regent, here is a recent message from them regarding a key person in their history:

Regent College has lost one of its founding fathers. Kenneth Oswald Smith passed away on Tuesday, November 14 at the age of 90.

A member of Regent’s founding Board of Governors, Ken has the distinction of having given the school its name “Regent.” He is one of only two people to have received an honorary doctorate from the college.

A lover of music and the arts, and a very gifted singer, Ken was an extremely gracious person and a true gentleman. The Regent community mourns the loss of our dear and generous friend, even as we celebrate the Christ-honouring life he lived.

On a personal note, I got to know Ken Smith when he was on the board of Christian Info Society for several years. I also found him “an extremely gracious person and a true gentleman.”

Nov 2017

Russell Leng: Temporary Tunnels – November 23, 2017 - November 25, 2017 at All Day
Open House: Saint Francis of Assisi School – November 23, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
DivorceCare – November 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
DivorceCare for Kids – November 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ancient Paths to Creator: Spiritual Formation Retreat – November 24, 2017 - November 26, 2017 at 5:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Celebrating 40 Years of Prayer Canada – November 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sharing the Table: An invitation to experience Syrian culture through food and stories – November 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Choral Music for Christ the King – November 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ryan McMahon in Concert – November 24, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Darrell Johnson: Public Speaking Skills for a Twitter and Ted-Talk World – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Restoration Saturday – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Stand: Faithful Reading in a Faithless World, with Iain Provan – November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fair Trade Christmas Market – November 25, 2017 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Martina Scholtens Reading: Your Heart is the Size of Your Fist – November 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale presents Messiah – November 25, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Day of Prayer for Religious Freedom – November 26, 2017 at All Day
Fair Trade Christmas Sale – November 26, 2017 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Original Blend – November 26, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly Hymn Sing – November 26, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
City-wide Prayer on Zoom – November 26, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
VOS Chorus & Orchestra: The Star of Bethelehem – November 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference: Called to Lead – November 29, 2017 at All Day
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship Christmas Meeting & Dickens Dinner – November 29, 2017 at 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Dr. Thomas Heilke: A Close Examination of the Foundations of Democracy: Religion and the Current Crisis – November 29, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Cold Clear Sky: An Anthology of Woodcuts by Dan Law - opening reception – November 29, 2017 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mission Possible Gala – November 29, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Archie Spencer: Evangelical Theology & The Reformation – Possible Futures? – November 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jonny Lang Sings World Tour – November 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Copenhagen – November 30, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at All Day
Christmas Shopping at Brooksdale – November 30, 2017 - December 1, 2017 at 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
The Female Friendships of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien, with Jason Lepojarvi – November 30, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Reformation 500: Why Should Pastors Care?, with Dr. Iain Provan – November 30, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Book Launch: Martina Scholtens - Your Heart is the Size of Your Fist – November 30, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Book Launch: The Quiet in the Land by Richard Toews – November 30, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Handel's Messiah – November 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Dec 2017

St. Hildegard's Sanctuary presents 'Testament of a Naked Man' – December 1, 2017 at 12:00 am
The Two Sides of Christmas – December 1, 2017 at 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Christmas Tales – December 1, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
ECBC Christmas Musical: The Plan – December 1, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Handel's Messiah – December 1, 2017 - December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Reconciliation as a Christian Response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – December 1, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Rejoice! European Carols and Readings – December 1, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Food for the Hungry: Ending Poverty Together Bootcamp – December 2, 2017 at 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Holy is God's Name Advent Retreat – December 2, 2017 at 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Relation$hip Cent$ – December 2, 2017 at 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
St. Stephen's Fall Fair – December 2, 2017 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Blue Christmas Retreat – December 2, 2017 at 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Christmas Open House – December 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Surviving the Holidays – December 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sounds of the Season – December 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Roy Durman Evangelistic World Outreach Banquet – December 2, 2017 at 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Hearing God: Dr. Roberts Liardon – December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Missions Fest fundraising event featuring Brian Doerksen – December 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale presents Messiah – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Reconciliation as a Christian Response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Bach's Christmas Oratorio – December 2, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Christmas with the Bach Choir – December 3, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Christmas at the Chan – December 3, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Winter Harp – December 3, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Advent Lessons and Carols – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bach's Christmas Oratorio – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Chez Nous: Christmas with Elektra – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ECBC Christmas Musical: The Plan – December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Advent Lessons and Carols – December 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Mighty Fraser Big Band with Steve Maddock & Amanda Wood – December 3, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas Tales – December 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Adult & Teen Challenge BC Banquet Tour – December 4, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Lunchtime Concert: Karen Santos, Soprano – December 5, 2017 at 12:10 pm - 12:50 pm
Christmas Tales – December 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hope in the City Breakfast – December 6, 2017 at 7:00 am - 9:00 am
Annual Christmas Artisan Fair – December 6, 2017 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Business By the Book Christmas Luncheon – December 6, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Millennial Ministering in Vancouver – December 6, 2017 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
In the Spirit of Reconciliation – December 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Overnight Christmas – December 7, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at All Day
13th annual Vigil With the Silenced: A Just Advent – December 7, 2017 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Yule Duel – December 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Adult & Teen Challenge BC Banquet Tour – December 7, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Tales – December 7, 2017 - December 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Aurora: Annual Christmas Concert – December 8, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at All Day
Christmas Open House at the Duncan Africa Society & Guitar Co. – December 8, 2017 - December 9, 2017 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play – December 8, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
NightShift Christmas Open House – December 8, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Homes for the Holidays? A Fundraiser for the tent cities and Alliance Against Displacement – December 8, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Singing Christmas Tree – December 8, 2017 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Eastside Story Guild: The Whisperer - The Story of Elijah – December 9, 2017 - December 12, 2017 at All Day
Holy is God's Name Advent Retreat – December 9, 2017 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
After Arrival: Free Workshop on Private Sponsorship of Refugees – December 9, 2017 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. Hildegard's Sanctuary Quiet Day for Advent – December 9, 2017 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Two Voices, One Accord: The Challenge of Intergenerational Worship – December 9, 2017 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Singing Christmas Tree – December 9, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Singing Christmas Tree – December 9, 2017 - December 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Handel's Messiah – December 9, 2017 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Laudate Singers: Making Spirits Bright! – December 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Jazz Vespers with the Mighty Fraser Big Band – December 10, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: Jen Hodge, Company B – December 10, 2017 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Blue Christmas – December 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Christmas Concert with the Silvertones – December 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lunchtime Concert: Rosemary Siemens (violin) & Eli Bennett (saxophone) – December 12, 2017 at 12:10 pm - 12:50 pm