A Rocha Talks: Godspeed and the Art of Neighbouring

We welcome participants to screen the film Godspeed and come prepared for a rich panel discussion of what it means to live

A Rocha Canada invites you to join our ongoing series of A Rocha Talks. This panel discussion will focus on Godspeed, which tells the story of a pastor who, in moving to a small Scottish parish, rediscovers his vocation by walking through small villages, knocking on peoples doors, and getting to know them. There he discovers true freedom in slowing down from the busyness of life and learns the importance of a stability that enables deep relationships with people and place. The film raises important questions on what it means to be human and how to life faithfully in this time and place. Rev. Matt Canlis interviews the likes of Eugene Peterson, N.T. Wright , and others.

Our panel includes:

Barry and Joan Jung have spent the last 10 years practicing the art of neighbouring in Vancouver. They desire to to know and be known by their neighbours. They are exploring how they can be more engaged in their neighbourhood and city as community conveners and social connectors and are also trying to figure out what it means to be followers of Jesus in their neighbourhood. Before the pandemic, Barry and Joan hosted homestays for college students and work visa candidates from around the world. They are now determining on how to remain connected with their neighbours during this pandemic. Barry has managed the household for the homestays and Joan teaches grade 4 students in Vancouver.

( https://neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca/blog/the-art-of-neighbouring/)

Karen Reed. Working in the non-profit sector for most of her life, Karen is currently an urban worker, connecting neighbours and contributing to the good in East Vancouver. The focus is on shaping a community of welcome in a 6 bedroom home in the heart of the neighborhood. The shared life of the community embraces values of simplicity, downward mobility, sustainability and radical hospitality.

Karen is on a taskforce that has developed a Christian Food Network, has led community kitchens, is learning to grow her own food and seeking to involve neighbors in doing the same, with a focus on “grow-a-row-share-a-row”. She also serves on the Executive Board of World Vision.

(https://arocha.ca/karen-reed/)

Liz Sparks (the Tacoma Catholic Worker) Elizabeth and her husband Paul live in a catholic worker community in Tacoma, WA. They have lived into the hope that the neighborhood brings we what we need. Listening and sharing the gifts that are present to their place.

The Catholic Worker hosts people in a time of transition that don’t have a place to live. Liz shares her gifts of gardening, cooks for community meals and hosts spaces of invitation for others surrounding the community. In the summer, much of her time is spent on repairing houses, garden spaces, and canning and preserving food from the garden. She works alongside many others in these efforts.

(http://tacomacatholicworker.weebly.com/)

The Panel Discussion will be hosted by Matthew Humphrey, Director of Theological Education at A Rocha Canada.

The film (35 minutes in length) raises discussions on the fear of being known, the pace of life, and the necessity of hospitality. It presents interviews with N.T. Wright, Eugene Peterson, and others who played crucial roles in Matt’s journey. Beautiful scenes from the Scottish countryside make the film a visual feast.

“God is doing what God is doing in God’s time. And, maybe, if we had to slow down a bit, we might paradoxically catch up with Him.”

Registrants will receive complimentary access to the film in order to view it prior to our panel discussion.

This event is free and open to the public.

https://arocha.ca/event/a-rocha-talks-godspeed-and-the-art-of-neighbouring/