Has COVID-19 been a challenge or an opportunity? Our church has been challenged on many levels – but we have been reminded of our original call, to pursue the things God had sent us into our neighbourhood to do. Southside,… Read more →
Tag Archive for union gospel mission
Around Town: Brian Doerksen, Acts for Water, clergy abuse, Found Boutique
by Flyn Ritchie • • 2 Comments
My next weekly update will be early next year. Many of us have sung Brian Doerksen worship songs in our churches over the years. We sang one just last week as our church gathered online. So I have no doubt… Read more →
UGM resources: ‘When the community brings food, the food brings community’
by Karen Giesbrecht Kari Bergrud • • 0 Comments
Last spring, we wrote about how Vancouver churches are responding to the physical and spiritual hunger that COVID-19 is highlighting through community food programs, and through growing food. As the infection rate increases, we continue to feverishly figure out how… Read more →
Finding my peace in forgiveness: how Frank has been restored from injustice
by Frank UGM • • 2 Comments
Four years ago, I was laying on the street in the Downtown Eastside, about to try heroin for the first time. But then, I turned over and saw the UGM sign. If it weren’t for that, I believe I’d be… Read more →
A Table for All: Toolkit for community meals is a valuable resource for churches
by Karen Giesbrecht Winston Green • • 0 Comments
Three local groups have developed an important new resource for churches that want to support their neighbours. A Table for All is a 90-page “toolkit for community meals in a framework of food justice.” Karen Giesbrecht and Winston Green of… Read more →
COVID-19 Christian Leaders Response Fund will help vulnerable seniors
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
City in Focus sent out this request for support May 25 and I felt it was worth running it just as it is. Money raised will go to six reliable and well-established Christian ministries and 10 long-term care facilities, all… Read more →
Tent city at Oppenheimer Park will soon be gone, but church plans to carry on
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
Pastor Peter (Jonghuen) Yang has been spending much of his time at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside for more than a year, offering Sunday services and providing food, along with masks and sanitizer to protect against coronavirus. Now orders… Read more →
Around Town: Two weeks for $2 million, COVID-19 / Opiod double whammy . . .
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →
Around Town: Easter, community care (refugees, UGM + TSA), The Light online . . .
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →
An urgent call to support Downtown Eastside residents (but not in person)
by Flyn Ritchie • • 0 Comments
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… Read more →