Neighbourhood Ministry

Rev’d. Lorne Manweiler, new WANM Board Member

November 18, 2021November 19, 2021Leave a comment

***Rev’d. Lorne Manweiler, rector St. Philip’s Dunbar and the Right Reverend John Stephens, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminister. Photo: Derek Simpkins.***

On the evening of Monday, October 18, 2021, there was a Celebration of a New Ministry Eucharist at the Parish of St. Philip, Dunbar. At this liturgy service, the Reverend Lorne Manweiler was inducted as the 11th rector of the parish by the Right Reverend John Stephens, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster, who had been the 9th rector of that parish from 2001-2016.

As the Rector of St. Philip’s Dunbar, Rev’d. Manweiler joins the Board of Management of the Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry (WANM).

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UBCO researchers examine how pandemics impact the homeless

November 17, 2021November 19, 2021Leave a comment

*UBCO School of Social Work director John Graham says that homeless people under the age of 65 have a mortality rate five to 10 times higher compared to the general population. Photo: courtesy UBCO.*

A team of UBC Okanagan researchers is looking at strategies that could help the homeless during a pandemic.

John Graham, director of UBC Okanagan’sSchool of Social Work, said while many populations have been targeted with guidelines to keep them safe, homeless people have been mostly overlooked.

While this research project began a few years before the pandemic, Graham said his team quickly turned their attention to the impact of COVID-19. His team looked at peer-reviewed publications, dating back to 1984 that examined how homeless populations were impacted by other highly contagious or communicable illnesses such as tuberculous, H1NI and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

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Thinner & Thinner

October 28, 2021November 19, 2021Leave a comment

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Resolution on Homelessness passed at 2021 Diocese of New Westminster Synod

May 17, 2021February 25, 2022Leave a comment

Synod is the Annual General Meeting (convened every two years) of the Diocese of New Westminster. The Bishop is the Chair of Synod. Chaired by Bishop John Stephens, Synod 2021, the 121^st, took place on May 15, 2021.

The Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry Board of Management proposed a resolution on housing affordability and homelessness in the Lower Mainland, which was passed by Synod delegates with a vote count of 224 in favour, 16 opposed, 10 abstentions (out of a total count of 250 voting delegates).

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Woven Together: Partnerships in Community Programs

May 16, 2021November 19, 2021Leave a comment

Presented by UGM

JOIN US for a discussion to share practical ideas and real-life experiences of effective partnerships for supportive community programs.

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN:

• Different types of partnerships (formal and informal)
• Benefits and challenges to partnerships
• Risks of ignoring partnerships
• Key aspects of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• How to end partnerships well

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Workshop from Union Gospel Mission

March 16, 2021November 30, 2021Leave a comment

Addressing Grief + Loss in Community

Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are woven together pursing the common good and actively participating in Christ’s call for everyone to flourish. One part of this vision is an improved understanding of and engagement with communities facing poverty, homelessness, addictions and food insecurity. Working with vulnerable individuals living with these challenges – especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the overdose crisis – brings us near those experiencing grief and loss.

Many that attend supportive community and church programs see the setting as a primary spiritual community or connection to a Body of Faith. As that body, how do we address the death of one of our community members – honouring their life, supporting other community members through their grief, and sustaining ourselves in the journey?

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COVID contemplations that provide a balm for the spirit

January 5, 2021February 25, 2022Leave a comment

By Joan Stewart

The Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry’s (WANM) retired deacon and clergy lead the Reverend Dr. Pitman Potter has prepared a timely new book of contemplation and reflection, which is being used as a fundraiser for the WANM.

Entitled Fever Dreams: Contemplating Corona Virus, the book presents 52 spiritual texts selected from Judeo-Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions, as well as poetic and lyrical voices.

Each selected text is accompanied by suggestions for quiet contemplation, through which readers are invited to engage in Lectio Divina (a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with, and increased knowledge of, God’s word), and to consider the meaning and application of the texts in their lives.

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2020 Annual Meeting draws attendees via Zoom

July 29, 2020November 19, 2021Leave a comment

By Joan Stewart

The Annual Meeting of the Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry (WANM) was held via Zoom on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, with 27 attendees from the parishes of St. Anselm’s, St. Helen’s, St. Philip’s and St. John’s Shaughnessy.

The meeting began at 7pm, with WANM clergy leader Rev’d. Pitman Potter being asked by Rev’d. John Stephens, chair of WANM, to open the meeting with a prayer. Rev’d. Potter led with an inspiring prayer of hope for the ministry and the world during this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Food and Clothing Drive Continues to Serve

May 21, 2020February 25, 2022Leave a comment

By Beth Vondette

The Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry has allied with other community partners to continue serving the homeless and vulnerable community with a clothing and food drive. Please view the attached flyer for further details.

From May 25 – Jun 8, 2020 please drop off donations to St. John’s Shaughnessy only. St. Philip’s is currently a construction site as the roof is replaced. For your safety, we ask that all donations be directed to St. John’s Shaughnessy (1490 Nanton Avenue).

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Neighbourhood Ministry Food and Clothing Drive Delivers

May 13, 2020November 19, 2021Leave a comment

By Beth Vondette

A Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry volunteer dropped off all the clothing donations received by St. Philip’s and St. John’s Shaughnessy yesterday (approximately 13 “bags”). There was 1 purple rolling suitcase (carry-on sized) and 1 backpack donated amongst the bags, which were gratefully received. We anticipate the majority of the clothing donated were womens’ clothes. The shoes were also primarily women’s shoes/boots. Going forward, we ask that the clothing donations be primarily men’s clothing.

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