On the eve of the Thanksgiving long weekend, I was waiting in the early morning ferry line up in Snug Cove, making my usual way from Bowen Island to UBC when someone knocked on my car window. A little startled,…
The Bell: Election reflection
Category: Community
Around Town: ‘Our civic participation,’ loving Sikhs, two MAiD conversations . . .
Roman Catholic Archbishop Michael Miller is no doubt quite preoccupied these days, as he is taking part in the second session of the Synod on Synodality (‘Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in…
Around Town: Christmas Kettles, New Hope expanding, Polygon: Regent House
Okay, it’s a bit early for Christmas content – but not for the Salvation Army, which is busy organizing its annual Christmas Kettle teams. Donations made during the Christmas season are very important for all their ongoing good works. Following…
Open letter to fellow Richmond Christians: lead with compassion
Dear Church and Christian Leaders in Richmond, I’m writing today to see if other people of faith, in the Church of Richmond and beyond, would like to join our call to respond to the tone and actions of some in…
The Bell: How will your next meal reflect your values?
Over dinner with friends a few weeks ago, conversation got around to how we navigate through life-altering crossroads. One friend shared advice that intrigued me about making decisions based on our values, not our circumstances. In difficult moments, certain decisions…
The Bell: Thanksgiving is coming – and Thanksgiving is with us every day
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving . . . Psalm 147:7 I don’t often have fast food, but on a whim I recently popped into an A&W near the UBC campus. As I sat waiting for my order I noticed…
Around Town: L’Arche housing, ARPA’s Election Guide, involuntary incarceration
Burnaby politicians recently joined community and religious leaders to celebrate the completion of a housing project for vulnerable community members. This September 20 press release from L’Arche tells the story: L’Arche Greater Vancouver has fulfilled the biggest dream in its…
A library looking for a reading room / meeting place
I am re-posting this piece because I am still looking for a good home – or at least an interim storage space – for a valuable library before the end of October. I would love to hear from anyone in…
Art and grief: speaking beyond words
An October 5 talk on the collaborative conception, evolution and creation of the bronze and steel monumental work titled Limina by artist Dave Robinson will be held at St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church. How does one express the inexpressible? Especially…
The Bell: The delusion of self-sufficiency
Our friendship grew slowly, over many years. She lived in my neighbourhood with her partner, in a very large old house – twice the size of mine – located only a few doors down the street. You had to climb…