Around Town: UGM Camping, City-wide Worship and Prayer, Migrant Justice . . .

Miranda's children have enjoyed several different camps with UGM's help.

Miranda’s children have enjoyed several different camps with UGM’s help.

Union Gospel Mission has been sending kids to camp for more than 60 years. They’re raising money to send more kids this year, and Miranda’s story (from UGM’s Gratitude magazine) makes it clear how important those camp experiences can be to families working through challenging times:

If Miranda could summarize her call in life, she’d tell you, “I’m a full-time mom. These kids are everything to me.” Though she’s been through life-long cycles of trauma and pain, Miranda’s identity is elsewhere: “Sharing my story is important in defining my new life. I’m not a victim any more. I’m a victor.”

“My parents are residential school survivors. They went through so much,” she explains. “So we’re victims of the survivors. I started drinking when I was six, about a year after some pretty serious abuse. While I don’t remember a lot, I do know that I chose toxic relationships, one after another, because it just seemed normal to be abused.” . . .

Once her kids were in foster care, Miranda went to UGM in Mission and told them she wanted help but didn’t know how. . . .

Today, Miranda leads a strong and sober life, with full-time custody of her four children, who are each so full of life. “I live and breathe through these kids,” she explains. “They’re my pride and my joy, the reason I don’t think about doing drugs or drinking anymore. With all the stuff they’ve been through, they’re the most respectful kids you could ever meet. I promised myself I wouldn’t let them go through what I went through.”

Part of UGM’s Camp Sponsorship program is to work with whole families, making sure holistic support is available for parents and kids throughout the year. That’s why, every summer, UGM’s donors sponsor Miranda’s three oldest kids for a week at camp.

“They’ve been to Camp Luther, Camp Jubilee and Camp Squeah,” Miranda shares. “I love when they come home and don’t stop talking about it. I think camp gives them more freedom. Freedom to have God be a part of their life too, on their terms. That’s important.”

For Miranda’s full story go here.

citywideprayer1City-wide Worship and Prayer

May 24 (Sunday) is the Global Day of Prayer, and locally the day will be celebrated with City-wide Worship and Prayer at Calvary Worship Centre in Surrey. The event is being organized by Missions Fest Vancouver and Voices Together, which are leaders in two of the largest trans-denominational events in the city.

Missions Fest, now in its 32nd year, says its three-fold purpose is “to inform, celebrate and challenge people of all ages to get involved in missions by sending, praying, giving and going.” They work on that purpose all year-long, and cap off their efforts with an annual three-day conference at Vancouver’s Convention & Exhibition Centre on the last weekend of January each year.

For Voices Together, City-wide Worship and Prayer is very much in line with a much larger event they are planning for Canada Day (July 1) at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. That event is presented by a core planning team comprised of leaders from local churches and interdenominational ministries.

The theme of the May 24 event is ‘United in Prayer United in Mission.’ Worship will be led by Worship Central, which will take on the same role at the Voices Together event.

justice1Migrant Justice

Streams of Justice has been hosting a series of Faith and Justice Roundtable discussions at Grandview Calvary Baptist Church. The fifth in the series, next Monday (May 25), relates to migrant justice:

Streams of Justice invites you to come and enjoy another roundtable discussion, this time looking at migrant justice to explore the connection between our faith and caring for refugees, migrant workers and undocumented people. This evening is for anyone interested in engaging in a dialogue about connecting our Christian faith with justice issues.

Discussion starts at 7 pm, but dessert is available from 6:45.

And it good to see that the Catholic Church is hosting a Retreat for Those Who Minister to Migrants and Refugees at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church June 6. Probably meant for Catholics, but they couldn’t very well turn others away could they!

soul2soul1Nepal fundraisers

The first one is a little bit indirect, but it looks great. Here are the details of Soul 2 Soul, which will take place at Redemption Church in Kitsilano May 30:

Tracy Moar and Darlene Ketchum are bringing their warm and smoky soul/blues/funk vocals together for this benefit concert to support midwives in Uganda and Nepal. They will be singing some of their own music plus the music of Mavis Staples, Eric Bibb, Bobby McFerrin and Civil Wars and other covers. A great group of musicians will be backing them up: Bill Sample (keys), Gord Lemon (bass), Tyler Friesen (drums), Andreas Schuld (guitar) and the Shaughnessy Vocal Ensemble (youth choir) will be joining them on one song. 

Check out the UBC midwifery program here.

Over in New Westminster, on the same evening, A Fundraising Concert for Nepal in Partnership with ADRA Canada will be hosted by Westminster Seventh-day Adventist Church. Several choirs will be taking part. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was initiated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to work on social service and social justice projects around the world.

May 2015

Equip Worship: Vancouver – May 22, 2015 - May 23, 2015 at All Day
Life in the Margins Weekend Workshop – May 22, 2015 - May 23, 2015 at All Day
Together for Adoption Canada – May 22, 2015 - May 23, 2015 at All Day
Chapel North Shore – May 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Tri-Cities – May 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Vancouver – May 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Clarke Scheibe: The Search for Authenticity – May 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
DuncanAfrica Fundraiser Concert – May 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bicycle Built for Two – May 22, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Kairos Course (in Cantonese) – May 23, 2015 at All Day
The Inkwell Workshops – May 23, 2015 at 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
As for Me and My House: Beyond the Brick and Mortar – May 23, 2015 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cariboo Road Salvation Army Songsters – May 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Ratanak International: The Long Road – May 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir: Our Canada – May 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Global Day of Prayer – May 24, 2015 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Karen Graves & Miles Black – May 24, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
City-wide Worship and Prayer: United in Prayer United in Mission – May 24, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
North Shore Churches: Pentecost Sunday Rally – May 24, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
8th Annual Golf Tournament for the Homeless – May 25, 2015 at All Day
Focus on Life 17th annual gala dinner – May 25, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Faith and Justice Roundtable #5: Reading the World – Migrant Justice – May 25, 2015 at 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Christine Longhurst: In Whose Image? - From God-centred to People-centred Worship – May 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
8th Annual NightShift Charity Golf Classic – May 26, 2015 at 9:30 am - 7:00 pm
Buddhism, Christianity and the Silk Road: A talk with Dr. Frances Wood – May 26, 2015 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dr. Martin Brokenleg: Becoming Who We are Meant to Be – May 27, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Preaching Workshop with Darrell Johnson – May 27, 2015 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Christopher Hall: Entertainment in the Ancient World - Perspectives of the Church Fathers – May 27, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Minemoto, Coon & Danderfer – May 27, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
God & the Indian – May 28, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at All Day
Rediscover the Fading Memories – May 28, 2015 - May 29, 2015 at All Day
The Great Divorce – May 28, 2015 - May 31, 2015 at All Day
Freud's Last Session – May 28, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Missional Coaching: Leading Others Toward Mission – May 29, 2015 - May 30, 2015 at All Day
Arts in the City: Arts Showcase & Open Mic – May 29, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Liz Snell: Art – May 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Danny and Sheri Silk: Keep Your Love On Conference – May 30, 2015 at 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Nepal: A Fundraising Concert in Partnership with ADRA Canada – May 30, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Good News Gospel Choir: Rise Up Singing! A Youth Choir Extravaganza – May 30, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Soul 2 Soul Benefit Concert: Tracy Moar & Darlene Ketchum – May 30, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Deadline for Submissions: Verge Conference 2015 - Arts + Environment – May 31, 2015 at All Day
Reconciliation Matters – May 31, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Reconciliation Matters: Ecumenical Service – May 31, 2015 at 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Reconciliation Matters: Ecumenical Prayer Service – May 31, 2015 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Carousel Chorus presents Songs from the British Isles – May 31, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Jun 2015

Krish Kandiah: Paradoxology - Why Christianity was Never Meant to be Simple – June 1, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Creating a New Way Forward: Reflections on TRC’s Final Report and Recommendations – June 2, 2015 at 8:00 am - 11:00 am
I Am Sending You: Becoming a Missional Church – June 3, 2015 at All Day
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship – June 3, 2015 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Business By the Book: Daryl Ee – June 3, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Valentine Cunningham: Scissored and Pasted - the Impact of the Authorized Version of the Bible – June 3, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Sarah Kennedy – June 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Matt Epp in Concert – June 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Apologetics Canada: Thinking? Chapter Six - Becoming a Student – June 4, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: Here Lies Henry by Daniel MacIvor – June 4, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Marriage Conference: What Did You Expect? – with Paul David Tripp – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at All Day
Transformation Art Fair – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at All Day
Perogy Night in Vancouver – June 5, 2015 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bo Steadman: Utopia - Architectural Visions of the Ideal – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dating and the Fear of Rejection: A Hi5's Event – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dessert and Inspiration with Alongsiders – June 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Men for God Conference – June 5, 2015 - June 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 5:00 pm
RunforH2O – June 6, 2015 at All Day
James Houston: Spring Prayer Retreat - Exploring the Interior Life of Prayer with the Early Church Fathers – June 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Retreat for those who Minister to Migrants and Refugees – June 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
ACTS Walk for Water – June 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir – June 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Bones Blues Project – June 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jubilate Vocal Ensemble: Requiem for Peace – June 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hymn Sing – June 7, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
David Skeel: True Paradox - How Christianity Makes Sense of Our Complex World – June 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Sufjan Stevens in Concert – June 9, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Citywide Bell Ringing for the United Church of Canada's 90th Birthday – June 10, 2015 at 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Fukushima to Vancouver: Meet the Artists – June 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Vancouver Concert Band – June 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Place to Call Home, with Dave Woods – June 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Julie Canlis: Culture, Christian Identity and the Authenticity Hoax – June 10, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Rossi Gang – June 10, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Soul Sustainability: Urban Renewal Through Art – June 11, 2015 - June 13, 2015 at All Day
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders – June 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Role of Art and the Local Church – June 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: Agnes of God by John Pielmeier – June 11, 2015 - June 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Talks With Tom: New President of Regent College, Jeffrey Greenman – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Clarke Scheibe: What is Good Friendship? – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kathleen Norris: What the Desert Can Teach Us – June 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
River of Life Healing Rooms Training – June 13, 2015 at All Day
Vancouver Worship Training – June 13, 2015 at 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Daniel Plan Simulcast – June 13, 2015 at 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Neighbourhood Thrift Sale – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Show & Shine – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Writing Workshop with Kathleen Norris – June 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
All My Relations Festival – June 13, 2015 at 11:30 am - 6:00 pm
Edmund Hsiah on 'A Creationist’s missionary experience in China' – June 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Gospel Music Festival – June 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Atesto: Experience – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Back to the Bible National Tour: I Will Tell, with John Neufeld, Phil Callaway & Andrew Marcus – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Connecting Historical Dots: from Japan Park to Oppenheimer Park in Strathcona Neighbourhood – June 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
O Music – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Red Velvet – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Trust and Obey Hymn Festival – June 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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