This year marks a devastating milestone. It is the 10-year anniversary of the war in Syria. This dreadful war has resulted in the deaths of half a million people and the largest displacement crisis since World War II. Over half…
On the Damascus Road
Tag: asylum seekers
Creating Conversation: reconsidering who might be in our ‘bubble’
Our weekly Creating Conversation editorial gives opportunity for people to speak about issues they believe are vital for the church to respond to. We asked Anika Bauman to respond to Mark Glanville’s accompanying comment (‘COVID-19, asylum seekers’ essential travel and…
Welcome for refugees expands from Journey Home to world scene
“What goes on in North America is just a tiny fraction of what goes on in the refugee world.” James Grunau knows what he is talking about. He has spent many years welcoming refugee claimants to Metro Vancouver, while also…
Welcoming the stranger as kin – moving from idea to action
Almost 80 million asylum seekers, refugees and internally displaced people are seeking new homes in our world today, a reality requiring urgent conversation and action. A timely new book is now available to help us reimagine personal, national and international…
Seeking support from Ottawa for a Refugee Claimant Reception Centre
James Grunau and Loren Balisky have created thriving communities locally (Journey Home and Kinbrace), which share housing – and lives – with refugee claimants. Last week they travelled to Ottawa to appear before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration,…
The myth-busting journey of an asylum seeker now helping other refugees
Journey Home Community serves refugee claimants by providing housing, resettlement assistance and relational support. Following is the story of how Marleni Curi Gomez and her family were welcomed by Journey Home and how she is now helping with their ministry…
Around Town: St. Matthew Passion, CBC interviews, Inhabit, Wrongs to Rights . . .
Easter approaches, and with it much beautiful music. This year, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion must surely be the most eagerly awaited by those who appreciate sacred/classical music. The Vancouver Bach Choir, with help from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, will present…