Around Town: Voices Together, Unhappy City?, I Am (women), The Map (men) …

“Voices Together is coming together with the help of seven working groups led by a core team of local pastors. On Canada Day, July 1, from 5 pm in the Pacific Coliseum, we are expecting a great congregation of about 12,000 people, from all over the Lower Mainland, to lift high the name of Jesus!”

So says Dave Carson, the working groups coordinator of Voices Together. He also points out that well known author and speaker Francis Chan will address the gathering. Chan, a pastor in the San Francisco area, is probably best known for his bestselling book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God.

Support for Voices Together comes from right across the denominational spectrum. The 2013 gathering, which drew some 10,000 people to Rogers Arena, featured brief talks by Ken Shigematsu (senior pastor, Tenth Church); Dave Koop (senior pastor, Coastal Church); Michael Miller (Archbishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Vancouver); Darrell Johnson, senior minister, First Baptist Church); and Aldrin Navo (pastor, Jesus Rock of Ages Ministries) – along with a mass Korean choir and many other participants.

Giulio Gabeli, chair of the Voices Together core team, says the Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship, which represents 150 churches, has recently endorsed Voices Together.

A 100-member Chinese choir will participate in worship, along with Worship Central and local worship leaders and the Chapel Band. Carson says a May 5 lunch with youth pastors arranged with Jonathan Mitchell of The Chapel will discuss “how youth can feel fully part of Voices Together.”

Two prayer rallies will prepare the way for the July 1 event. Calvary Worship Centre in Surrey will host an event related to the Global Day of Prayer May 24, and an evening of prayer for Voices Together will take place June 28, just three days before the main gathering at the Pacific Coliseum.

Carson says tickets will available at the door for $15, but will also soon be available at a reduced price online. In the meantime, he asks everyone to ready themselves for “a time of fervent prayer with everyone involved for our city and nation on this special day for Canada.”

For more information go here.

Vancouver the Unhappy

Vancouver named unhappiest city in Canada. Such was the headline from an April 20 Vancity Buzz article by Jill Slattery which pointed out that:

In a survey released this week, Statistics Canada revealed that of 33 census metropolitan areas in Canada, Vancouver ranks the lowest in life satisfaction.

With data collected between 2009 and 2013, Statistics Canada found that life satisfaction in Vancouver is measured at only 7.8 out of 10, while the happiest metropolitan area, Saguenay, Quebec, measures at 8.25. Canada as a whole lands near 7.97.

The survey was carried out in cooperation with John F. Helliwell of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and Vancouver School of Economics at UBC. He was also one of the main presenters at a symposium on happiness put on by the Institute for Advanced Research in Vancouver April 22.

Geordon Omand interviewed Helliwell about what makes for happiness, in an article which came out just before the symposium. Here is a portion related to cities:

Statistics Canada analyses to be presented on Tuesday show that smaller-scale communities are more conducive to general well-being, said Helliwell.

The main reason is the quality of the social relationships that exist in tighter neighbourhoods, he explained.

“To build happier big cities requires studying and developing the kinds of linkages that happen automatically in smaller communities.”

Examples include urban gardens, encouraging volunteerism and making public facilities more accessible to community groups.

Helliwell was pointing to some of the same issues raised in a 2012 study by the Vancouver Foundation. It pointed out, for example that “Metro Vancouver can be a hard place to make friends” and that “our neighbourhood connections are cordial, but weak.”

The Statistics Canada survey does need to be put into perspective though. No doubt we’re too standoffish, entitled and fussy, but a couple of factors to put things in perspective:

1. Canada has been ranked at #6 for years in another survey – the World Happiness Report (edited, as it happens, by Helliwell). This year’s ranking will be released today (April 23).

2. Vancouver may be at the bottom of the Statistics Canada survey, but we still rate our life satisfaction at 7.8 out of 10 – that’s pretty satisfied.

3. The highest ranking is about 8.2 and the average is about 8 – that’s not much of a gap between top and bottom.

Some things that make Vancouverites a little bit unhappy – housing prices, traffic, rain – probably won’t change any time soon. But we can do our bit to become more neighbourly, and to encourage others who are having a tough time.

The Map / I Am

There are his and hers conferences coming up at the end of next week, both in Surrey, though not in any way connected, as far as I know.

Men’s Conference 2015 will be held at Cedar Grove Church May 1 – 2. The name of the conference – The Map: The Way of All Great Men – is also the name of speaker Dave Murrow’s new book. He is best known for his bestselling first book, Why Men Hate Going to Church.

I Am will take place at Relate Church April 30 – May 2. The main speakers at this conference for women are Sheila Gerald, co-pastor of Champions Centre and Leanne Matthesius, who is senior pastor along with her husband Jurgen at C3 Church San Diego.

Genocide Centennial Events

Local Armenians – and no doubt supporters from the surrounding community – are marking the genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire 100 years ago, during the First World War, when between 1 and 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

The Armenian Genocide Centennial Events are taking place between the 19th and the 25th. They include participation in the Vancouver Sun Run April 19; ringing of the bells at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church April 23; and gathering at the Art Gallery and taking part in a ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Monument April 24. (The Armenian Genocide Monument was unveiled at Mountain View Cemetery last April 27, with many MPs, MLAs and city councillors in attendance.)

Apr 2015

Armenian Genocide Centennial Events – April 19, 2015 - April 25, 2015 at All Day
Seeking the Peace of Jerusalem: Overcoming Christian Zionism in the Quest for Justice – April 23, 2015 - April 25, 2015 at All Day
Transpose: Trinity Western University 2015 Graduate Art Exhibition – April 23, 2015 - April 25, 2015 at All Day
Armenian Genocide Centennial Events: Ringing of the Bells – April 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Christian Zionism and the Palestinians – April 23, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
John Piper: Look at the Book Conference – April 24, 2015 - April 25, 2015 at All Day
Armenian Genocide Centennial Events: Gather at Art Gallery, Walk to Armenian Genocide Monument – April 24, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
L'Arche Vancouver: The Art Together Project – April 24, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel North Shore – April 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Tri-Cities – April 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Chapel Vancouver – April 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Keepers of the Faith Concert (with Freedom Singers & Father's Daughters) – April 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue – April 24, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Dave Faber from Faber Drive headlines Hope For Women’s Dessert Concert Fundraiser – April 24, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Fraser Valley Bible Conference: Creation and the Gospel – April 24, 2015 - April 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Armenian Genocide Centennial Events: Ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Monument – April 24, 2015 at 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
re:Create Art Show – April 25, 2015 at All Day
Stronger Together: Effective Training for Missionary Care – April 25, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Timberline Ranch Family Festival 2015 – April 25, 2015 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Keepers of the Faith Concert – April 25, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Worship Invasion – April 25, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Stanislav Yovanovitch plays Chopin Showpieces – April 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Good Seed Sunday: Delivered by A Rocha – April 26, 2015 at All Day
Jazz Vespers: Karin Plato – April 26, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Keepers of the Faith Concert – April 26, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Spring Social: Russ Rosen Band – April 26, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Bursting Your Bubble Training (Monday evenings) – April 27, 2015 at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Faith and Justice Roundtable #4: Reading the World – Migrant Justice – April 27, 2015 at 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Bethel Music Worship Night – April 27, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
LeaderImpact Forum with Garth Jestley: Taking Risk on Purpose – April 28, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Pornography: Harmful or Useful? – April 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Ben Henriques & Jennifer Hedges – April 29, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Eyes & Wings Prophetic Conference 2015 – April 30, 2015 - May 2, 2015 at All Day
I Am . . . Women's Conference – April 30, 2015 - May 2, 2015 at All Day
Ian Sheh: Love Your Face One Hundred – April 30, 2015 - May 3, 2015 at All Day
The Whole Enchilada Art Show – April 30, 2015 at All Day

May 2015

Men's Conference 2015: David Murrow – The Map: The Way of All Great Men – May 1, 2015 - May 2, 2015 at All Day
Perogy Night in Vancouver – May 1, 2015 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Eat Your Faith (four Saturdays) – May 2, 2015 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
CityFest – May 2, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Opus One (women's choir) in Concert – May 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Graham Ord concert – May 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Gallery Singers: Elizabeth Spring – May 3, 2015 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A Community Aware: Origins of Canada's Social Programs (3 Tuesday nights) – May 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sideshow Musical Improv – May 5, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vancouver Pastors Prayer Fellowship – May 6, 2015 at 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Business By the Book: Peter Lee – May 6, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
UBC Graduate & Faculty Christian Forum Lectures: Deborah Haarsma, Astronomer - God and the Multiverse – May 6, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Dealing With Difficult People with Sophia Van Vuuren – May 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Chris Fraser Trio – May 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
2015 Pastors and Church Leaders Conference: Holy Ground - Answering God's Call to Creation Care – May 7, 2015 - May 8, 2015 at All Day
Morrison in China: 200 Years of Protestant Evangelism – May 7, 2015 - May 13, 2015 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Vishal Mangalwadi: From Michelangelo to Freud – Whatever Happened to Human Dignity and Why Western Humanism Degenerated into Animalism – May 7, 2015 at 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Fukushima to Vancouver 2015: Opening Reception – May 7, 2015 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Earthkeeping: A Climate for Change with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe – May 7, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wellspring Gala – May 8, 2015 at All Day
Parenting in the 21st Century: Conversations on Discipline, Family Systems & Relationships (taught in Mandarin) – May 8, 2015 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Memorial Mass for Archbishop Emeritus Raymond Roussin – May 8, 2015 at 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Guided Tour of the Exhibition “Rediscover the Fading Memories” – May 8, 2015 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Talking Climate: Why Facts are Not Enough with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe – May 8, 2015 at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Mission Possible: Community Table - Tastes of BC – May 8, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Church and the Healing of Nations, with special guest speaker Vishal Mangalwadi – May 8, 2015 - May 9, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Rev. Joseph Huen: Mission Work in China (Cantonese) – May 8, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Roy & Rosemary: Mother's Day Piano Violin Fusion Spectacular – May 8, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Dr. Christopher Wright: Langham Scholars, Langham Preaching and Langham Literature – May 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Shift, with Aadin Church – May 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Golden Tones: Saxophone and Organ - Julian Nolan and Denis Bedard – May 8, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Health Fair 2015 – May 9, 2015 at 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
FoodSafe Level 1 Course – May 9, 2015 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sto:lo Nation Cultural Learning Day Bus Tour – May 9, 2015 at 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Rob Des Cotes: 05 FEB 2015 The Spirituality of Suffering - Faith and Prayer In the Midst of Pain – May 9, 2015 at 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan: Mission Work in China – May 9, 2015 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dr. Chris Wright: What Story are You Living In? - Life and Work in God's World for God's Mission – May 9, 2015 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sweet Soul Gospel Motown for Mother's Day – May 9, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Professor Guo Ding: Mission Work in China (Mandarin) – May 10, 2015 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Celtic Service – May 10, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Hot Mammas & Arntzens – May 10, 2015 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Booth Brothers and Young Street Vocal Band – May 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Philip Owen, C.M., ODNW, Awarded Honorary Degree by VST – May 11, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Iain Provan: A Fundamental Repentance: Moses and the Beginnings of Biblical Faith – May 11, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Revitalizing Ministry Workshop – May 12, 2015 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Celebrazione! – May 12, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Red Light/Green Light Film Screening – May 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Gordon T. Smith: Discerning Vocation: Asking Good Questions in Life and Work Transition – May 13, 2015 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Braveheart with Dan Reynolds – May 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
March for Life BC – May 14, 2015 at 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
The Reality of Adoptive Parenting: A Panel Question Night – May 14, 2015 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Historymaker Conference 2015 – May 15, 2015 - May 17, 2015 at All Day
A Talk With Tom: Two Partnerships / Two Brothers / Two Friends – May 15, 2015 at 7:00 am - 8:30 am