UrbanPromise Vancouver is back in business, following a three-year hiatus. The youth ministry has hired Abraham Han as executive director and will re-start programs in Surrey and Vancouver.UrbanPromise’s two after-school ‘camps’ – one in East Vancouver and the other in Whalley, near Surrey’s Central City – are no more.
Featured in a Church for Vancouver story earlier this year, Camp Hope and Camp Peace had operated respectively out of First Christian Reformed Church in East Vancouver and Whalley Presbyterian Church in Surrey for several years. They were the last remaining of similar Vancouver-based programs operating for a time, also, out of First Baptist, Grandview Calvary Baptist and Culloden Mennonite Brethren, respectively in the Downtown, Commercial Drive and South Vancouver neighbourhoods.
Abraham Han
The camps have provided help with homework, meals and snacks, recreational opportunities, basic Bible teaching and leadership development for ‘at risk’ young people in what they generally described as ‘under-resourced’ neighbourhoods. The last camp took place April 17.
Neil Singh, moderator of UrbanPromise Ministries Vancouver (UPV) says that neither the after-school programs nor the summer camps will be operated in “the foreseeable future.” . . .
Singh is still involved, and while the UrbanPromise Facebook page does not offer too much detail about future projects, it does say, “We will be gearing up for summer camp and afterschool programs in 2018, and have a lot of work ahead.”
Regent College is inviting pastors and leaders from around the Lower Mainland for a ReFrame Brunch and Learn gathering next Thursday (January 18), 9 am – 2 pm:
This event will provide a space for us to explore the integral place of vocation in discipleship. Hear Regent’s newest faculty member Dr. Steve Garber give a vision for discipleship that connects to all of life. Spend time with other local leaders discussing the challenges of cultivating 24/7 Christians. Hear how some churches have used ReFrame as a tool to lay the biblical and theological foundation for this important conversation.
If your church has already used ReFrame, come brainstorm with Steve and others about the next steps in cultivating a congregation of people able to connect faith to their whole lives.
is an annual highlight (held January 26 – 28 this year, at Vancouver Convention Centre, its usual location). I love wandering around the booths, learning about far-flung (and local) missions directly from the missionaries themselves (often unsung heroes these days, unfortunately). Seminars allow for a slightly longer glimpse.Launched in 2017, Mini Conferences are opportunities for you to learn from experts who are collaborating together to help you go deeper into a subject than can be done in a seminar, and to develop a practical response that can be tied back to your community.
All Mini Conferences take place on Friday, January 26, from 1 to 5 pm. Tickets are $10 and include a coffee break. Pre-register online or purchase tickets on-site in the VCC lobby. Participants will only be able to take part in one mini-conference in the afternoon.
Discipleship multiplication. Is it a fad or can it really work? Consider the insights and hard-won lessons of these presenters and decide. [More on this event and follow-up ‘Why Not Canada?’ conferences at Willingdon Church in Burnaby (January 29) and Punjabi Masihi Church in Surrey (January 30) next week.]
Build an appreciation for the marketplace as ministry, and develop practical approaches to integrating faith into the workplace.
Asians with Buddhist and Folk Buddhist beliefs are emigrating to Metro Vancouver. Learn how to engage them meaningfully.
Explore ways to pursue peace between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Understand unique barriers and ways that each group can be blessed.
Understanding addiction sets the stage for deeper love and compassion for those who struggle with them. Naloxone training included.
Cross-cultural mission can be done well. Join us for effective guidelines and accounts of how and where cross-cultural mission has worked.
Simple approaches to sharing our faith in an engaging way.
Alycia Woods will speak on apologetics.
The theme for Missions Fest 2018 is ‘What is the Gospel?’ These are the key speakers:
- Mike Goheen is going to lead us on a journey through Scripture to discover Gospel’s deep meaning.
- Alycia Woods, an apologist from Ravi Zacharias Ministries will explain why Gospel is essential to her ministry.
- Jarrod McKenna will share an activist pastor’s perspective.
- A missionary from a closed access nation in Asia will share how Gospel is birthing a movement of passionate Christ followers.
Here are links to Missions Fest’s Film Festival, Seminars and Exhibits. A Pre-Conference Rally will take place at Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship in Burnaby next Thursday evening (January 18).
St. Paul’s Hospital is part of Providence Health Care.
What seems to have been media-manufactured debate about whether faith-based based institutions should be forced to participate in assisted dying cases elicited a response from the Catholic church yesterday.
In a separate case, Louis Brier Home and Hospital, a Jewish long-term care home, filed a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia against Dr. Ellen Wiebe for helping one of its residents die, in contravention of the facility’s policy.
The complaint that Wiebe provided to The Canadian Press says she failed to communicate with the man’s nursing staff, who didn’t know Wiebe had completed the procedure until “well after” it had been done.
Go here for the full article.
Archbishop Michael Miller
Archbishop Michael Miller of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver released the following statement on the assisted suicide death at the Louis Brier Home and Hospital January 10:
The assisted death that took place at a Vancouver Jewish care home, contrary to the values of the institution, is very disturbing. Faith-based institutions, whether schools or health-care facilities, represent communities which have the right to determine the values that govern their mission.
In addition, it’s incorrect to suggest, as promoters of assisted suicide are doing, that every publicly funded facility has an obligation to provide MAiD [Medical Assistance in Dying]. No care facility offers all medical procedures and services, and a residence or hospital has the right to reject procedures which contradict or go against its code of ethics.
Canada’s religious communities have contributed immensely to today’s comprehensive health-care system, and they minister with the same compassion and care for patients and residents today as they did hundreds of years ago, when they were the only ones caring for the sick.
Physician-assisted suicide, in the words of Pope Francis, is “false compassion,” and any attempt to coerce facilities into practising euthanasia is an assault on freedom of conscience and religion.
A January 10 poll in The Vancouver Sun suggests that the public supports faith-based institutions on this issue. Asked “Should faith-based hospitals that receive government funding be required to provide assisted dying to patients?,” two-thirds said no (1,584 no, 795 yes) as of 11 pm.
The Canadian Press article noted:
The B.C. Health Ministry said that under an agreement with the Denominational Health Association, faith-based facilities are not required to provide services that are inconsistent with their religious mission. There are no plans to terminate this agreement, it said in a statement.
Jan 2018
Jesuit Scotch Tasting Reception – January 11, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 7:00 pmJazz Vespers: Karen Graves & Mimosa – January 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
JMP Webinar: Continuing the Conversation - Leading Beyond the Billboard – January 17, 2018 at 8:00 am - 9:00 am
The Garden of Unearthly Delights by Hfour Studio: Opening Reception – January 17, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Dan Reynolds & Friends – January 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Calvary Worship Centre Women's Conference – January 18, 2018 - January 20, 2018 at All Day
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – January 18, 2018 - January 25, 2018 at All Day
Women in the Word Workshop – January 18, 2018 - January 20, 2018 at All Day
ReFrame Vancouver: Cultivating 24/7 Christians – January 18, 2018 at 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Service – January 18, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Missions Fest: Pre-Conference Rally – January 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Service – January 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
CYW Vancouver – January 19, 2018 - January 20, 2018 at All Day
Norm Strauss – January 19, 2018 at 12:00 am
Norm Strauss – January 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Emerging Adulthood Mini-Conference – January 20, 2018 at 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Kelita's CD Release & 70s Music & Comedy Concert – January 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Learning for Lent – January 22, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Silence*Stillness*Movement*Sound: Doing Anthropology of Contemplative Christianity with the Whole Self – January 24, 2018 at 12:00 am
St. Francis Xavier Relic Pilgrimage – January 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Service – January 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Service – January 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Gabriel Mark Hasselbach & Friends – January 24, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Canada Summer Jobs Webinar – January 25, 2018 at 9:00 am - 9:45 am
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Service – January 25, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
St. Francis Xavier Relic Pilgrimage – January 25, 2018 at 12:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Missions Fest 2018: What is the Gospel? – January 26, 2018 - January 28, 2018 at All Day
Three Second Peaks: Paintings by Neil Peter Dyck Gallery Exhibit Opening Reception – January 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cathedral Organist Denis Bédard – January 26, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
CEO Global UBC Kick-Off – January 27, 2018 at 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Jazz Vespers with Company B Jazz Band – January 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Jazz Vespers: Glenda Rae, Brett Wade, Miles Black – January 28, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Why Not Canada? – January 29, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Gender Matters – January 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
FoodSafe (Level 1) for Food Program Participants & Volunteers – January 30, 2018 at 8:45 am - 3:30 pm
Why Not Canada? – January 30, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dr. William Newsome: Neuroscience and Consciousness – January 30, 2018 at 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm
Dr. William Newsome: Of Two Minds - A Neuroscientist Balances Science and Faith – January 30, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
An Evening with Stella's Voice – January 30, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Janet Soskice: The Incredible Lady Bible Hunters – Sisters of Sinai – January 31, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Dr. William Newsome: Of Two Minds - A Neuroscientist Balances Science and Faith – January 31, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Creative Writing with Matthew Dickerson – January 31, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Jennifer Hayes & Friends – January 31, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Feb 2018
New Generations – February 1, 2018 - February 3, 2018 at All DayUnity of Spirits Art Exhibition – February 1, 2018 - February 2, 2018 at All Day
Talks with Tom: Amidst the Busyness – February 2, 2018 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am
G. Peter Kaye Lecture: Janet Soskice – February 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Janet Soskice: Inclusivity and Christology Revisited – February 3, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Mental Health, Faith & Youth: A Sanctuary Workshop – February 3, 2018 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Stayed on Freedom: A Musical Celebration of Black History Month – February 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Perspectives Course (Sunday evenings) – February 4, 2018 at 6:15 pm - 9:15 pm
Evening of Lament for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women – February 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Perspective Course (Monday evenings) – February 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Kairos Course (Tuesday evenings) – February 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Multiply 2018 – February 7, 2018 - February 8, 2018 at All Day
Dr. Mary McCampbell: "We are Changed Souls": Prophetic Critique & Post-Secular Hope in the Fiction of Douglas Coupland – February 7, 2018 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Art Exhibition: Opening Reception of Adrift by Jenny Hawkinson – February 7, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
An Evening with Ed Stetzer: The Future for Canadian Evangelism, Renewal & Church Planting – February 7, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Kristian Braathen Trio – February 7, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
RockRidge Canyon Unplugged Weekend – February 9, 2018 - February 12, 2018 at All Day
Re-Enchanting Discipleship: Christian Life in a Secular Age – February 9, 2018 at 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
James K.A. Smith: Re-Enchanting Culture – February 9, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Don Stewart, Mike Henry, Kenny Wayne – February 11, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Maria Ho & Friends – February 14, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hfour Studio – February 15, 2018 at 12:00 am
Book Launch: Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh – The Spirit of Early Evangelicalism (with Mark Noll) – February 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Ruined by Lynn Nottage – February 15, 2018 - February 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Samson Movie in Canadian Theatres – February 16, 2018 at 12:00 am
Worship Central Conference – February 16, 2018 - February 17, 2018 at All Day
Voices for TRAC (Trinity Refugee Awareness Campaign) – February 16, 2018 at 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Date Night Comedy Tour – February 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Renovaré: The Listening Life – February 17, 2018 at 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
You are My Beloved: A Lenten Retreat – February 17, 2018 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Prophecy Speaking Today Workshop – February 17, 2018 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Alio Modo featuring Vancouver Viols – February 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Jazz Vespers: The Hot Mammas – February 18, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gospel Music Workshop – February 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
FaithTech YVR Coffee Shop Takeover – February 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Water from Stone: Opening Reception – February 21, 2018 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: The Doe Bender Group – February 21, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Let's Talk Marijuana (indoubt:live) – February 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Rise (Worship Leader Training) Conference 2018 – February 23, 2018 - February 24, 2018 at 6:30 pm - 2:30 pm
One Game = One Giant Step of Youth – February 23, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The Bible: Why We Can Trust It – February 24, 2018 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Workshop: Songs of Justice, Songs of Freedom, Songs of Hope – February 24, 2018 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Flavours of Hope: Pop-Up Community Dinner – February 24, 2018 at 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Vancouver Cantata Singers: Cantus Missae - Rheinberger and the Romantics – February 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Spirit(us): An Evening with Kiya Tabassian – February 24, 2018 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Concert: Songs of Justice, Songs of Freedom, Songs of Hope – February 25, 2018 at 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Jazz Vespers – February 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers with Roma Swing Trio – February 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Olaf DeShield – February 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Income Tax Ministry (Tuesdays & Saturdays) – February 27, 2018 - April 24, 2018 at 9:30 am - 2:00 pm