Refugees are all around me here at this seniors’ campus of care. They walk through the café with their coffees and bundles of bananas from our campus grocery. They push their spouse in a wheelchair around the fountain gardens and…
“We are very happy to be back in Vancouver.” So says Geoff Tunnicliffe as he eyes the end of his term as secretary general of the 600 million member World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) at the end of this month. While he is clearly sincere in his assertion,…
Mikhail Lennikov has lived in First Lutheran Church (at 42nd and Wales in East Vancouver) for more than five years. While his hosts would like to see him go free, they have also grappled with the significance of sanctuary in…
It is surprising to many Canadians that 150,000 Aboriginal children were forced to attend Indian Residential Schools from 1831 to 1996 as part of Canada’s official efforts to assimilate Indigenous people. It is not surprising that many victims did not…
This week I’m impressed by all the welcoming initiatives around Metro Vancouver – and the wide range of invitations extended – to refugees, neighbours, homeless, hungry, First Nations, politicians, the community and spiritual seekers. Here are some of the events…
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…
While BC Premier David Eby and federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller are debating support for asylum seekers, local groups with strong roots in the Christian community quietly carry on their very practical support of these new arrivals. Eby started off…
Sometimes it seems as though the Christian community is under attack – some of my social media links insist on that point every day. Or at least that we’re being sidelined or dismissed. I’ve made that point myself, from time…
Members of several groups and churches will meet for Refugee Housing Crisis: Developing a Response February 3. Dena Nicolai is inviting wide participation, including those who might be a bit skeptical. In my theological tradition, we sometimes talk about “square…
I can’t remember when I have felt as optimistic about ecumenical activities among local Christians as I have this fall. Three new (or renewed) initiatives stand out in particular: Mission Fest confirmed for early next year; Taste & Receive will…