Princess Street will close between Hastings and Cordova June 17 to make room for Union Gospel Mission’s fourth annual Summer Connect. People who are homeless, at-risk or struggling will be able to connect with 40 service providers on the street beside the UGM headquarters in the Downtown Eastside.
Speaking on behalf of UGM, Keela Keeping describes the event and its effect on individuals:
Maintaining crucial basic needs like shelter and employment while navigating murky bureaucracy can be challenging for anyone, but for those seeing life through the lens of poverty, homelessness or addiction, the path can be even hazier. Bringing some hope and clarity is exactly what Union Gospel Mission hopes to accomplish . . .
Princess Street will close to accommodate the event which gives attendees the opportunity to connect with housing providers, employment and legal assistance, all while enjoying some music and a hot meal. Other organizations will provide wheelchair and bike repairs, haircuts, pet care and so much more. Gaining access to all these services in the same block allows someone to make the strides in one day that would normally take months.
It’s this ease of accessibility, coupled with a positive and lively atmosphere, that make connect events something to look forward to each year. Joseph Hopkins, a 61 year old DTES resident, says it’s transformative in many ways.
“Things like this really help me,” says Hopkins. “A trip to the barber can cost $11,” he says, explaining that what others consider trivial can be a burden on a minimal income.
Hopkins also loves the comradery. “Every year I enjoy the meal and the haircut,” he says, “but I especially like the family feeling. I’m so far from home, that coming here really begins to feel like family.”
Among the service providers is the Vancouver-based company Clearly, which is offering free glasses and sunglasses to all Downtown Eastside residents who need them. Change the View – Clearly’s charitable arm – is heading up the initiative. The main sponsor of this year’s Summer Connect is Lundbeck Canada.
School’s Out Party
Several youth organizations have banded together for School’s Out 2015 – they’ve booked Playland for the evening (7 pm to midnight) of June 19. Here’s their pitch:
That’s right, church youth groups & youth organizations have come together and RENTED OUT PLAYLAND again! But we’re going even bigger this year:
– One hour longer! We’re partying until MIDNIGHT.
– New rides! The Beast looks insane . . .
– More Give-Aways! So don’t leave early . . .
– Live Music! Featuring Little India, The Tourist Company & Ark & Ocean
– Epic dance party! Featuring DJ SKINE
All youth and young adults are invited. The key sponsor appears to be Youth Unlimited, but Chapel and Atesto (at least) are also involved.
A follow-up event called Chapel Unified will take place at the Centre downtown the next evening (June 20). Chapel partners with churches and their youth groups “to see the local church flourish.” There are three regional gathering, several times a year, in Vancouver, the North Shore and the Tri-Cities.
A time to ring bells
You may have noticed some bell-ringing on Wednesday morning (June 10) around town. If so, you would have been hearing one of our local United Churches joining in a cross-Canada celebration of the birth of the United Church of Canada 90 years ago.
According to the website of Knox United Church on the west side of the city:
The United Church of Canada came into being on Wednesday June 10, 1925. The inaugural service began at 10:30 am. That is why 10:30 am was chosen as a time, in every time zone for United Churches to celebrate their presence in the community.
The other place you will hear bells ringing is in the vicinity of St. James’ Anglican Church in the Downtown Eastside. As part of the national #22Days movement, the church has invited the community:
to join us in ringing the church bell to honour the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Every day for 22 days – from May 31 (first day of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s closing ceremonies in Ottawa) to June 21 (National Aboriginal Day) the bell will be rung in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in their cry for justice and for a special commission.
Some of the Community Groups which are participating: Aboriginal Front Door; Carnegie Community Centre’s Circle of Eagles; DTES Roman Catholic Churches: St. Paul’s, Kateri Centre, Sacred Heart; DTES Women’s Centre; Grandview Calvary Baptist Church; Jacob’s Well; Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin Community; Servant Partners; Streams of Justice; St. Chiara Community; The Listening Post; Union Gospel Mission; Urban Native Youth.
Jun 2015
Soul Sustainability: Urban Renewal Through Art – June 11, 2015 - June 13, 2015 at All DayFetal 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
Praise in the Park Summer Festival – June 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Armi Grano – June 14, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Robyn McCorquodale – June 14, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
In Concert with Liberty Quartet – June 14, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Back to the Bible National Tour: I Will Tell, with John Neufeld, Phil Callaway & Andrew Marcus – June 14, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Young Life Ironman of Golf – June 15, 2015 at All Day
Summer Connect – June 17, 2015 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Triology - Jodi Proznick, Bill Coon & Miles Black – June 17, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
#22Days: Ringing the Church Bell – June 18, 2015 - June 21, 2015 at All Day
Double Doors 3 – June 18, 2015 - June 21, 2015 at All Day
Grandview Co:Here Fundraising Garage Sale June 20th, 2015 – June 18, 2015 - June 20, 2015 at All Day
Samuel's Mantle: It's Entirely Possible – June 18, 2015 - June 20, 2015 at All Day
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Universal Gospel Choir – June 19, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Couples Night Out with Steve Geyer – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
James Krohn: Art and Secularism – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
School's Out 2015 – June 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 11:55 pm
The Campbell Brothers: A Love Supreme – June 19, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Conference: Global Church and Reconciled Korea – June 20, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
God in the Conversation – June 20, 2015 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grandview Co:Here Fundraising Garage Sale – June 20, 2015 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
10th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic – June 20, 2015 at 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Launch of Refugee Hearing Preparation Guide – June 20, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Strawberry Tea – June 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Chapel Unified – June 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
24 Hour Golf-a-Thon Challenge – June 21, 2015 - June 22, 2015 at All Day
Ecumenical Church Service (Point Grey Fiesta) – June 21, 2015 at 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Jazz Vespers: Marcus Mosely Chorale – June 21, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Selwyn College Choir Concert – June 21, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Leora Cashe – June 22, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Building a Better Brain: Daily Habits That Can Keep You Sharper, Longer – June 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Don Stewart – June 23, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Olaf Deshield – June 24, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Fukushima to Vancouver 2015 – June 25, 2015 at All Day
Invisible Threads: Life Saving Sugihara Visas and the Journey to Vancouver – June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 at All Day
L'Arche Vancouver: The Art Together Project – June 25, 2015 - June 29, 2015 at All Day
LTDMinistries Conference – June 25, 2015 - June 27, 2015 at All Day
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Gospel Giants – June 25, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concerts – June 25, 2015 - June 30, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Everybody Copes: Understanding Addiction – June 25, 2015 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sugihara: Conspiracy of Silence – June 25, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare – June 25, 2015 - June 27, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Candus Churchill & Tom Pickett – June 26, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Clarke Scheibe: Holding on to Wikipedia - the Loss of Comprehension – June 26, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Son Lux (with Olga Bell) in Association with Blueprint Live – June 26, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
East Side Celebration – June 27, 2015 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Prayer Canada: Gospel Jamboree – June 27, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Leland Klassen – June 27, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Carey 2015 Graduation – June 28, 2015 at 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Good Noise Gospel Choir – June 28, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: James Standerfer – June 28, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Prayer Rally for Voices Together – June 28, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: Caroline Markos – June 29, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Faith and Justice Roundtable #6: The World We Want - Social Justice for What? – June 29, 2015 at 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Narcissism: Self-esteem, Self-confidence, Arrogance or More? – June 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Darrell Bock: From Gospel Event to Gospel Text - Orality, Memory and Eyewitness – June 29, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Festival Noon Hour Concert: City Soul Choir – June 30, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Jul 2015
Voices Together – July 1, 2015 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pmSusan Phillips: Cultivating Life Amidst Disordered Attachment & Attachment Disorders – July 1, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Roger Feldman: Remnant Future - Opening Reception – July 2, 2015 at 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Chelsea Amber – July 3, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Songwriter Cafe: Pierce Pettis with Allen Des Noyers – July 4, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Pierce Pettis, with Allen Des Noyers – July 5, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Athletes in Action: Cloverdale Mini Dribblers Basketball Camp – July 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Athletes in Action: Tsawwassen Alliance Church Soccer Camp – July 6, 2015 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Athletes in Action: Cloverdale Big Shots Basketball Camp – July 6, 2015 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Amanda Russell-Jones: The Outcast's Voice: Josephine Butler and the Sexual Double Standard – July 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Baseball Camp – July 6, 2015 - July 8, 2015 at 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Experience Regent – July 7, 2015 at 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Kickers Soccer School (Ages 5 - 14) – July 7, 2015 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Joint Missions Convention 2015: Forging Future with Tradition – July 8, 2015 - July 11, 2015 at All Day
Rally for the Living Wage – July 8, 2015 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Metro Vancouver Alliance Film Night Fundraiser – July 8, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Regen: Helen Burns & Relate Church Band – July 8, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Matt Humphrey: A Pipeline Through Naboth's Vineyard? Theopolitics, the Bible and BC – July 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Tony Foster Trio – July 8, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Stone's Throw Productions: The Stonewater Rapture by Doug Wright – July 8, 2015 - July 11, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
“I love beer, and by that very fact, the world” – the Humour of Thomas Merton – July 9, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BC Christian Soccer League Finals – July 10, 2015 at All Day