City’s religious leaders to offer hope in series of public events
Talks aim to provide antidote to people’s fears about world political developments
People have been confiding in Vancouver Rev. Gary Paterson that they’re having trouble feeling hopeful.
In a political era characterized by U.S. President Donald Trump, growing immigrant-skeptic movements in Europe and the murder of six Quebec Muslims, the minister at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church wanted to offer an antidote to the fear and despair he’s hearing from members of his church and the public.
So Paterson, past moderator of the United Church of Canada, teamed up with another downtown Vancouver clergyman, Rev. Peter Elliot of Christ Church (Anglican) Cathedral, to have a multifaith group of speakers lead a four-part series in March titled Hope Amidst the Politics of Fear: Conversations for Creative Resistance.
“It’s partly a reaction to what’s happening in the United States. But the U.S. has such an influence on the world, especially Canada,” Paterson said, noting the city has been divided by the Vancouver crusade of American evangelist Franklin Graham, a major Trump supporter, to be held Friday through Sunday.
“It’s also a reaction to reports from Europe about right-wing groups gaining traction … and to the aplomb with which (Russian President Vladimir) Putin seems to be acting these days and to (strongman Rodrigo) Duerte in the Philippines. The list goes on.”
The two clergymen want to help Canadians analyze contemporary events and rising authoritarianism from the perspectives of economics, politics, social policy and the media.
The news release for Hope Amidst the Politics of Fear asks, “How do we understand these realities? How do they affect Canadians? Where do we find hope? How might we respond, as Christians, as concerned citizens?”
The two clergy men have faith that the speakers can help sow the seeds of “creative resistance” among residents of Metro Vancouver.
The free discussion and smallgroup series begins at 7 p.m. on March 9 at St. Andrew’s Wesley, Burrard and Nelson, featuring former Anglican Bishop Michael Ingham, Rabbi Laura Kaplan and Imam Mohammad Shujaath Ali.
Politics and hope are the subjects for March 16 featuring UBC professor Chris Erickson.
Economic issues and social policy are discussed on March 23, with Seth Klein of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and former homelessness advocate Judy Graves.
The fast-changing nature of the news media is outlined on March 30 by Vancouver Sun and Province managing editor Valerie Casselton.
A different multifaith event, coordinated by Vancouver Anglicans and Jews, called United in Compassion, will take place on Tuesday at Shalom Synagogue, 710 East 10th Ave. in Vancouver.
The inter-spiritual devotional service and conversation will include short addresses by Imam Mohammad Shujaath Ali, Rabbi Hannah Dresner, Zen Buddhist Michael Newton, Sufi Amir Peter O’Loughlin, Anglican Rev. Robin Ruder-Celiz, Rabbi Adam Stein and Vancouver-area Anglican Bishop Melissa Skelton.
It’s partly a reaction to what’s happening in the United States. But the U.S. has such an influence on the world, especially Canada.