Progressive Faith Discussion Group
Looking for a place to learn or talk about Progressive Christianity? Wondering how its various expressions may fit with your evolving faith and how you show up in the world?
TGUC’s new discussion group welcomes anyone who’s interested in talking about “faith outside the box”. Bring your curiosity and your questions! Three sessions this Spring - feel free to drop into one or all!
Questions? Email Sandra at: rev@tgucvan.com
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Friday Night Jazz Vespers
Friday Jazz Vespers with Footnotes, featuring tap dancer Bryn Kinders. Nourish your spirit with the spirit of jazz!
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Vancouver Pride Parade
Join TGUC in the 2025 Pride Parade! Find more information and a sign-up here!
Medicine on the Frontline
Canadian surgeon shares frontline medical experiences from Gaza in a powerful presentation hosted by local churches. May 20, 2025, 6-8PM. Healthcare workers welcome.
Lunch & Learn: CPSHR
Join us for an informative Lunch and Learn featuring representatives from Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights (CPSHR). Learn about their important work advocating for human rights and labor justice in the Philippines.
FEATURED PRESENTATION
Our guests will share insights about CPSHR's current campaign advocating for the release of Maojo Maga, a Filipino labor organizer imprisoned since 2018. Maga, who organized for Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Labor Movement), had his initial conviction overturned but still faces multiple charges that many human rights organizations consider politically motivated. We will also discuss how Duterte was arrested and what we can learn to hold other war criminals, such as Netanyahu, accountable.
ABOUT CPSHR
CPSHR works in partnership with several established organizations including:
International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) Vancouver
St. Augustine's Church
Vancouver District Labour Council
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP)
Their representatives bring experience from both advocacy and faith-based communities, including active involvement with the United Church of Canada and established relationships with labor councils and religious institutions.
LUNCH DETAILS
Reroot Curry and white rice will be provided
If you don't eat white rice, please bring an alternative (such as brown rice)
Order placed via our partner, Farm-to-Plate Marketplace
Come learn about this important human rights campaign and discover how you can support international advocacy efforts to build pressure for justice.
Philippines Solidarity Resources
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Resolution on Canadian Mining in the Philippines
This important resolution addresses the devastating impact of Canadian mining projects on people, water, and land in the Philippines. Led by multiple United Churches including Beaconsfield (Québec) through their Beaconsfield Initiative, as well as United for Mining Justice, this document represents a network of United Church members from across Canada taking action on this critical issue.
The resolution offers a climate justice perspective on Canada's international resource extraction activities and provides concrete ways for congregations to engage with this issue.
This is a Resolution regarding Canadian mining in the Philippines. It was led by multiple United Churches including Beaconsfield (in Québec) through their Beaconsfield Initiative, as well as United for Mining Justice, a network of members from United Churches all across the country!
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This report from a Mennonite delegate documents their work with Indigenous and Moro peoples in the Philippines who demonstrate deep solidarity with Palestinians. The report provides a meaningful introduction to understanding the Philippines through the lens of shared struggles and international solidarity movements.
Note: This report may contain some challenging content regarding human rights situations. It offers a thoughtful entry point for congregations interested in understanding global solidarity movements.
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ICHRP Statement on the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA)
This statement from the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) calls for Canada to halt and transparently review its Status of Visiting Agreement (SOVFA) with the Philippines. The document highlights Canada's complicity in human rights violations, including connections to:
Unjust arrests and detention
Climate crisis impacts
Military presence and warmongering in the region
This resource helps congregations understand Canada's direct involvement in Philippines issues and opportunities for advocacy.
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This open letter advocates for the release of union organizer and political prisoner Marklen Maojo Maga. Congregation members are welcome to sign this letter as an act of solidarity.
How to Participate:
Read the attached PDF letter
Sign the online form included in the PDF
Share the letter with others who might be interested in supporting this cause
Direct link to the online form: click here
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Global Interfaith Conference on Human Rights in the Philippines
For those interested in deeper involvement, an Interfaith Conference will be held in Rome, Italy at the end of June 2025. This global gathering is organized by:
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP)
International Interfaith Network of ICHRP
National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)
EcuVoice
The conference aims to strengthen and expand solidarity for the Filipino people among faith communities worldwide.
Resources:
More details will be available by the end of this month
This represents an opportunity for congregation members who wish to become more deeply involved in international solidarity work.
How These Resources Connect
These materials offer a pathway for learning and engagement:
Start with understanding the connections between Palestine and Philippines struggles
Learn about Canada's role in resource extraction and military agreements
Take specific action by signing the open letter for Marklen Maojo Maga
Consider deeper involvement through the upcoming interfaith conference
Mother's Day Fundraiser for Gaza
Reclaiming Mother’s Day as a day of peace and justice. An anti-racist, fundraising action in solidarity with the women and children of Gaza.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Walk
Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages mobilize Christians globally to support Palestinian Christians who often feel isolated while Christian Zionism goes unchallenged. Through public actions, they amplify Palestinian voices, raise funds for relief and advocacy, and demonstrate that support for Israel's war crimes doesn't represent Christ's teachings. The goal: ceasefire, humanitarian aid, hostage release, and occupation's end.
Friday Night Jazz Vespers
A special Good Friday jazz vespers featuring The Miles Black Trio performing Oscar Peterson’s “Easter Suite”, interspersed with readings from the passion story of the Gospel of John.
Progressive Faith Discussion Group
Looking for a place to learn or talk about Progressive Christianity? Wondering how its various expressions may fit with your evolving faith and how you show up in the world?
TGUC’s new discussion group welcomes anyone who’s interested in talking about “faith outside the box”. Bring your curiosity and your questions!
3 sessions this Spring: March 19, April 16, May 21
Vancouver Tellers: For the Birds
With stories from Jennifer Martin, Patricia Smith, and Marylee Stephenson followed by a story circle.
Sliding scale admission $20-15-10
Please join us after the stories for tea and treats. The story circle will follow after a quick break. We’ll provide the tea - please feel free to contribute a treat if you are so inclined!
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise is a open mic coffeehouse where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build and accepting fun-loving community.
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
Sunday Service
5th Sunday of Lent, “Love”, John 12:1-8
Presiding/Preaching: Rev. Sandra Nixon
Seedy Sunday
Join us for a special Seedy Sunday event where we'll work together on our community garden while commemorating Palestine Land Day. This gathering combines gardening, community building, and cultural awareness.
Graceful Noise Coffeehouse Open Mic
Graceful Noise Coffee house offers an open mic where musicians of all levels are welcome to perform (sometimes imperfectly!), cheer each other on, eat comfort food, and build an accepting fun-loving community.
Gracie's Thrift Store
Gracie’s Thrift Store is located in the lower level of the church. Here you can find many treasures at very low prices. Gracie's specializes in housewares, linens & fabric, books/records, clothing and accessories.
See Palestine Together: Islamophobia, Anti-Palestinian Racism, and Antisemitism
Join us for a panel of speakers exploring the intersection of Antisemitism, Islamophobia and Anti-Palestinian racism.
Doors open at 6pm
Event begins at 6:30pm
Friday Night Jazz Vespers
Join us for a special evening with Quintessential Jazz. We’ll also be featuring the poetry of 20th century monk, mystic and writer Thomas Merton.
RSVP below
About the band:
Quintessential Jazz has entertained appreciative audiences at venues ranging from ballrooms to festivals to house concerts to corporate events to packing out the local bistro and more. Their music has been featured on CBC, CKUA, and Jazz Radio.com. Enjoy great live music from a band that loves to play jazz for people! Quintessential is based in Vancouver, Canada
FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ VESPERS AT TGUC:
This is a casual, alternative "cabaret-style" service where jazz takes center stage, accompanied by short, inspiring reflections.
Hosted by Rev. Sandra Nixon (TGUC’s Coordinating Minister).
Doors open at 7pm for mingling and refreshments. Freewill offering at the door
Nourish your spirit through the spirit of jazz!
Progressive Faith Discussion Group
Looking for a place to learn or talk about Progressive Christianity? Wondering how its various expressions may fit with your evolving faith and how you show up in the world?
TGUC’s new discussion group welcomes anyone who’s interested in talking about “faith outside the box”. Bring your curiosity and your questions!
3 sessions this Spring: March 19, April 16, May 21