United Way of the Lower Mainland is making a special effort to find out how church communities are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offering support for churches/people who want to help out in their communities. Many churches have organized…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new funding for the charities and non-profits April 21 – but not the billions he has offered for others sectors, and it won’t go far enough to help many groups. He promised “an investment of…
Union Gospel Mission (UGM) and The Salvation Army have joined forces to create a COVID Relief Together initiative – and their goal is to raise $2 million in two weeks. Speaking on CTV News last week, UGM spokesperson Jeremy Hunka…
Last week I posted a powerful comment by Darrell Johnson: Praying Boldly: coronavirus 2020. I will repeat a portion of his conclusion, as it leads into the Easter weekend so well: So, where do we go? I can only speak…
Darrell Johnson has written a challenging comment which may help you prepare to participate in the Day of Prayer and Fasting Across Metro Vancouver (every Wednesday, as the threat from COVID-19 persists). During the past days and weeks, many believers…
Every night high-rise dwellers in Vancouver’s downtown core raise a cheer for health care and other frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. The outpouring of goodwill is heartwarming, and illustrates just how widespread are the acts of kindness and the…
Jenny Hawkinson is a longtime resident of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) who works for 24-7 Prayer Vancouver and does pastoral street outreach and advocacy in the neighborhood. She sent out an email March 24 under this heading: ‘URGENT! DTES response…
Twenty-seven pastors and network leaders met on a Zoom prayer call March 24 to firm up plans for a Day of Prayer and Fasting Across Metro Vancouver tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25), and for every Wednesday thereafter until further notice. The…
Restrictions, closures and social distancing affect all of us – but none more than vulnerable populations clustered in the Downtown Eastside but increasingly found throughout Metro Vancouver. Groups like The Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and community meal hosts are…
Normally I write about upcoming events in ‘Around Town,’ but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most have been cancelled, postponed or moved online. Among them, just in the next week: Pacific Theatre: Best of Enemies GMA Week: Covenant Awards Praise…