Both Trinity Western University (TWU) volleyball teams won Canada West championships last week – and are looking forward to national championships this weekend.
Canada West – one of four conferences within the national university sports body U SPORTS – wrote up both the wins:
Women
Trinity Western’s women’s volleyball team captured their second straight Canada West championship, beating visiting Alberta in a thrilling five-setter, winning 3-2 (26-24, 25-23,18-25, 18-25, 15-8) Saturday at the Langley Events Centre.The Spartans took a 6-0 lead in the fifth set and from there, the home side held off the Pandas and rolled to victory as TWU captured its fourth conference title in the last six years.
The victory will send the No. 1-ranked Spartans into the 2020 U SPORTS Championship in Calgary as the top seed in the tournament. . . .
TWU will compete in the national tournament for the ninth time in the last 10 years. TWU has also now won a Canada West medal in nine of the last 10 seasons. . . .
Men
Eric Loeppky was honoured as men’s volleyball Player of the Year.
The Trinity Western men’s volleyball team won their fourth Canada West championship in the last five years, as the Spartans beat visiting Alberta 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) in Saturday’s conference final at the Langley Events Centre. . . .
In front of a raucous Spartans home crowd of nearly 1,500, TWU, who was playing in the Canada West final for the ninth year in a row, won their fifth conference title in the last decade and sixth in program history.
TWU will now advance to the U SPORTS Championship for the 11th year in a row as they will travel to the University of Manitoba (March 13 – 15), where the Spartans will be seeking their second straight national title and fourth in the last five years.
Go here and here for the full Canada West reports.
TWU outside hitter Eric Loeppky was honoured as U SPORTS men’s volleyball Player of the Year Wednesday night (March 11), at the annual All-Canadian Gala.
Our Lady at Holy Rosary
Cathedral rector Father Stanley Galvon (left), with Michael Audain, his wife Yoshiko Karasawa and Archbishop Miller. Photo: Agnieszka Ruck
Agnieszka Ruck recently reported on a unique partnership in The B.C. Catholic:
When Vancouver art collector and philanthropist Michael Audain acquired a 300-year-old painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he knew the religious artwork needed to be displayed in an appropriate setting.
On February 21, the 17th century oil on canvas work by Mexican painter Manuel de Arellano was installed in Holy Rosary Cathedral, a gift from Audain who said it’s important for it to be seen by people both as an important sign of religious devotion as well as friendship with the people of Latin America. . . .
The artwork, painted in 1691, depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe, surrounded by four small images telling the story of her appearances to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531.
“The Virgin of Guadalupe isn’t only the patron saint of Mexico, she is the patron saint of all the Americas, as appointed by John Paul II,” he said. “I’m told that other people, like the Filipinos, revere her. I think it’s great. I couldn’t be more pleased that it is in this position here.”
Go here for the full story.
Pedal Society rejects Knights
The B.C. Catholic reported March 5 that a local bike shop has decided it will no longer accept donations from a Catholic men’s group:
The Knights of Columbus in Burnaby have been collecting bicycles for the needy since 2006, but that all came to an end this week when Vancouver-based PEDAL Society said it will no longer work with the Knights over their “anti-LGBTQ+” beliefs.
Holy Cross Council 5423 spokesman Graham Darling said he received a call from PEDAL to tell the Knights it was ending the relationship, alleging the Knights are an anti-LGBTQ+ organization.
“I’m sad that religious intolerance seems to be getting in the way of getting bikes to poor people,” Darling told The B.C. Catholic.
Go here for the full story.
Almost two million Catholic men around the world are part of the Knights of Columbus, which undertakes a wide range of charitable activities.
PEDAL Society runs the Our Community Bikes (OCB) store on Main Street, just north of Broadway.
Their Facebook page states:
OCB also endeavours to be a safe space for all marginalized people, which means that we have a zero tolerance policy on homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism, etc.
As a collectively managed, non-hierarchical organization there is no owner, boss, supervisor or manager. All staff are mechanics, teachers and students and we are learning and improving all the time as individuals and as an organization.
At the shop there is a sign stating our Ten Commandments.
To be fair, it’s not the first time the Ten Commandments have been used to justify intolerance.
Climate Emergency / faith
The City has invited several faith groups to discuss environmental issues later this week:
On Sunday, March 15, Temple Sholom, in partnership with the City of Vancouver’s Sustainability team, will host a Multi-Faith Dialogue on the Climate Emergency.
We’ll begin with small-group discussions exploring various faiths’ texts related to our responsibility to tend to nature and the planet.
Next, we’ll explore this topic further in a panel discussion moderated by CBC Radio’s Stephen Quinn and featuring Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Imam Mohammad Shujaath Ali, Sister Maria Serra Garcia and, from the Hindu community, Dr. Suresh Kurl.
We will end in small-group discussions where attendees will provide feedback to help shape the 19 bold actions the City of Vancouver is considering to dramatically reduce our carbon emissions, while learning about actions individuals can take to lessen their impact.
Feedback collected will help shape the Climate Emergency Action Plan that will be presented to Vancouver City Council in October 2020.
Sorry to see that neither A Rocha nor Earthkeepers, nor any Protestant groups appear to be involved, but it still seems a good initiative. The event was originally to have been held at Temple Sholom, but is now going to be conducted online.
Mar 2020
Homegrown: Jazz Coffeehouse Concert – March 12, 2020 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pmMartyn Joseph in Concert – March 12, 2020 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
I Still Believe (Movie) – March 13, 2020 - March 17, 2020 at All Day
I Still Believe (Movie) – March 13, 2020 - March 17, 2020 at All Day
Tapas & Tabletalk: What God Cares About – March 13, 2020 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Surprised by Jesus Again: Reading the Bible with the Communion of Saints, with Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee – March 13, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Theology for Non-Theologians – March 13, 2020 - March 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
For the Beauty of the Earth – March 13, 2020 - March 14, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Business as Mission Conference – March 14, 2020 at 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
SIM Monthly Missions Meeting: Past, Present and Future of Missions with SIM – March 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Tax Preparation Clinic – March 15, 2020 at All Day
A Multi-Faith Discussion on the Climate Emergency – March 15, 2020 at 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed: Knights of the North Castle: Broadway Church Day Camp – March 16, 2020 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Webinar: Canadian National Communion Service – March 18, 2020 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Postponed: Ray Aldred on Truth & Reconciliation – March 18, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Leading Ladies Little Big Band – March 18, 2020 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
24-7 Prayer Canada Virtual Prayer Room – March 19, 2020 - March 30, 2020 at All Day
Cancelled: Best of Enemies by Mark St. Germain – March 19, 2020 - March 21, 2020 at All Day
Closed: Shekhina: By Caitlin Ambery & Bailey Carrick – March 19, 2020 - March 27, 2020 at All Day
Webinar: Building an Effective Prayer Team – March 19, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Webinar: Ready or Not? The Urgent Missional Response to C19 – March 19, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cancelled: SAMC Theatre Presents: The Tempest – March 19, 2020 - March 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Christian Legal Fellowship's Prayer and Devotional Webinar Series Week 1: Trusting God in Uncertain Times – March 20, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Moved Online: The 41st Covenant Awards – March 21, 2020 at 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Postponed: Praise: with Kim Walker-Smith – March 21, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley: Nancy Newman – March 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cancelled: Dead Sea Scrolls Conference – March 23, 2020 - March 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
Webinar: Epidemics – How the Church Has Responded Throughout History – March 24, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Postponed: Alzheimer Café – March 24, 2020 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Postponed: for King & Country: Burn the Ships World Tour 2020 – March 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Day of Prayer and Fasting Across Metro Vancouver – March 25, 2020 at All Day
Moved Online: Business Babes Collective: Passion to Profit – March 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cancelled: Business as Calling: Speaker Josh Davis – March 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cancelled: Canadian Family Ministry Strategy & Practice Workshop – March 27, 2020 - March 28, 2020 at All Day
Lionsgate to Release ‘I Still Believe’ Online Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – March 27, 2020 at All Day
Cancelled: Into the Deep: Stop the Buying! Stop the Violence! – March 27, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cancelled: Biblical Apologetics 1: Answering the Challenges – March 27, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Postponed: Renewal 2027: Jesus Christ: Our Hope – Intercultural Conversations and Celebrations – March 28, 2020 - March 29, 2020 at All Day
National Day of Prayer & Fasting – March 28, 2020 at 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cancelled: Basic Creation Training with Mike Riddle – March 28, 2020 at 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Postponed: From the Margins: The Diaspora Effect – March 28, 2020 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cancelled: SAMC Music Presents: Beautifully British – March 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Cancelled: Worship Invades Glad Tidings! – March 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
EFC / WEA Global Day of Prayer and Fasting – March 29, 2020 at All Day
EFC Webinar: Being Church & Neighbour During the Pandemic – March 30, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
National Prayer for Canada in the Wake of COVID-19 – March 31, 2020 at 12:00 am - 1:00 am
Webinar: People and Planet 2.0 – Can the COVID-19 tragedy be a historic reset? – March 31, 2020 at 5:00 am - 6:30 am
Apr 2020
Postponed: Sole Matters: John Fluevog – Open House – April 1, 2020 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pmCOVID-19 Global Church Hackathon – April 2, 2020 - April 4, 2020 at All Day
Postponed: Healing for Nations – April 2, 2020 - April 4, 2020 at All Day
Suspended: 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil – April 2, 2020 - April 5, 2020 at All Day
Webinar: Empowering & Developing Leaders Using Alpha – April 2, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Zoom Meeting – April 2, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Cancelled: Kairos Burnaby (Tuesday evenings) – April 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Postponed: Journey Home Community 15th Anniversary Celebration – April 3, 2020 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Postponed: Iron Sharpens Iron Conference – April 4, 2020 at 8:30 am - 3:45 pm
15th annual Lenten Vigil for the Silenced – April 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Postponed: Rally in Support of Delta Hospice Society – April 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cancelled: Gardens - a sacred oratorio – April 4, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Registration Closed: The Way of Compassion: A Lenten Prayer Retreat – April 5, 2020 at 9:45 am - 4:00 pm
ELO Webinar: N.T. Wright on 'Christian Leadership in the Midst of a Pandemic' – April 7, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Webinar: How to Launch Alpha Online – April 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Postponed: Love / Sick by John Cariani – April 9, 2020 at All Day
Postponed: Sole Matters: John Fluevog – April 9, 2020 at All Day
Now Full: Tax Clinic (by appointment) – April 9, 2020 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cancelled: Vancouver Chamber Choir: St. John Passion – April 10, 2020 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Full: Webinar: Missional Commons – Where are We Now? – April 14, 2020 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Webinar: Living Wisely and Loving Well in the Current Crisis – April 14, 2020 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Webinar: COVID-19 and migrant/undocumented worker – April 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cancelled: FaithCARE: Growing Restorative Congregations – April 15, 2020 at All Day
Webinar: How to Launch Alpha Online – April 16, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Full: Webinar: Missional Commons – Where are We Now? – April 16, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Cancelled: Overdose National Book Tour with Benjamin Perrin – April 16, 2020 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Cancelled: Almost Silent Retreat – April 16, 2020 - April 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Postponed: Betty Spackman: A Creature Comfort – April 17, 2020 at All Day
Webinar: COVID-19 and the Majority World – April 17, 2020 at 6:00 am - 7:30 am
Canadian Youth Worker Prayer Call (every Friday) – April 17, 2020 - April 24, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Charter Day Webinar: Celebrating Canada's Fundamental (and Sometimes Forgetten) Freedoms – April 17, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Webinar: SOGI 123 – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – April 17, 2020 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Webinar with Derek Sloan, Candidate for Leader of Conservative Party of Canada – April 17, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cancelled: New Eyes for Reading the Old Testament – April 17, 2020 - April 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Postponed: Gospel Boom: The Astounding Growth of Worldwide Christianity – April 17, 2020 - April 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Postponed: Tim & the Glory Boys: The Buffalo Road Show – April 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Postponed: Journey Home Refugee Support: Volunteer Training – April 18, 2020 at 8:45 am - 3:00 pm
Postponed: Brave Love Ladner – April 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Postponed: Alzheimer Café – April 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Postponed: Tim & the Glory Boys: The Buffalo Roadshow – April 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Postponed: Jazz Vespers in the Valley: Greta Matassa Quartet – April 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Postponed: Tim & the Glory Boys: The Buffalo Roadshow – April 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Webinar: Prayer in a Time of COVID-19 with Brian Heasely, International Prayer Director for Prayer 24-7 – April 21, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Postponed: Roddan Jubilee Lectures: Stephanie Allen – April 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Postponed: Pallay: Andean Weaving of Liturgy & Design by Daniela Amestegui – April 22, 2020 at All Day
Webinar: John Lennox on "The Corona Crisis: How Should Christians Think, Act & Lead?" – April 22, 2020 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
EarthDay 2020: Towards a Green and Healthy Recovery – April 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Postponed: Pallay: Andean Weaving of Liturgy & Design by Daniela Amestegui – April 22, 2020 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Postponed: Spiritual Care Series: Caring for Aging Seniors (Thursday mornings) – April 23, 2020 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Webinar: Social Isolation & Political Tribalism – Reversed Now, or Intensified? – April 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Webinar: Moral & Ethical Choice in Video Games – Are My Games Corrupting Me While I Shelter at Home? – April 23, 2020 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Virtual Cafe A Rocha – April 24, 2020 at 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Global Prayer for Tech – April 24, 2020 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm