Mission Fest has weathered some storms and has carried on – earlier this year and again next February – in Chilliwack. It’s well worth the drive for those of us who live in Metro Vancouver. But for those who can’t,…
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…
New Hope Community Services has welcomed more than 800 refugees since 2004, offering them community and housing at their 13-unit apartment building in Surrey. Their recent email to supporters linked the stories of their new arrivals to that of Mary…
New Hope is all about building community – and its focus on community was particularly harmed by an act of arson April 25. A Global News story stated: A Surrey-based charity that supports refugees integrating in Canada is reeling from a…
Islamophobia is a major problem in Canada. Or is it? Depends who you ask. A March 13 study by the Angus Reid Institute is titled ‘Islamophobia in Canada: Four mindsets indicate negativity is nationwide, most intense in Quebec.’ British Columbians…
World Refugee Day (June 20) and World Refugee Sunday (June 21) remind us that tens of millions of people in our world have nowhere to call home. But some of them do find new homes. Vancouver has several front line…
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…
Aaron White has written a Daily Advent Prayer Guide that connects the ancient nativity story with the realities of displaced people today. Each week during Advent (December 2 – 24) I will post the daily guides; this week I have posted…