writing
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Feb 10 2026 – They Did Not Dream of This
I spent part of my day at the drop‑in centre, helping an elderly Chinese‑speaking man fill out an application for supportive housing. The form was long and clinical, full of questions that would be difficult for anyone to answer, let alone someone who has lived through years of instability. We worked through it slowly, line… Continue reading
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February 10 2026 – Yesterday’s Call‑In Program Reminded Me Why SOGI123 Still Matters
Yesterday I joined AM1470’s Special Topic Hotline (Call‑In Program) from 5–6pm as one of the guests discussing the implementation of SOGI123 in schools. The entire program was conducted in Cantonese, which meant the conversation unfolded in the emotional language of our community — the language many of us use when we are most honest, most… Continue reading
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January 28 2026 – Learning at the Edges: Reflections from the Richmond Homelessness Outreach Network Meeting
This afternoon’s meeting of the Richmond Homelessness Outreach Network left me with a renewed sense of both gravity and gratitude. Around the table were staff from the City, Vancouver Coastal Health, and community organizations who spend their days walking alongside neighbours who are unhoused or precariously housed. I continue to be the only clergy person… Continue reading
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Dec 5th, 2025 – Honored Encounters with Marginalized Communities
In recent years, I have been deeply honored and profoundly grateful for the opportunities to reach out to and serve marginalized and vulnerable groups within our community. These encounters have been more than acts of service—they have been sacred moments of listening, learning, and sharing life together. I have had the privilege of engaging with… Continue reading
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Nov 21, 2025 – After the Sleep Out: One Night, Many Lessons
Last night, I joined Covenant House’s Sleep Out: Executive Edition. For one night, I lay outside with only a sleeping bag and layers of clothing between me and the cold. The weather was mercifully chilly, but fortunately, no rain. Still, the ground was hard, the night was long, and the cold crept in despite my… Continue reading
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November 19, 2025 – A Glimpse of Grace Outside the Drop-In
Yesterday, I walked toward the drop-in center with no agenda but presence. I simply wanted to say hello, to introduce myself to those gathered outside, many of whom live with homelessness and substance use. I didn’t come with answers or solutions. I came with a greeting, a name, and a collar. One young woman looked… Continue reading
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November 13, 2025 – When a Daughter Brings Her Father: A Reflection on Presence, Pain and Possibility
This afternoon, a daughter brought her father to see me. There was no fanfare, just quiet footsteps into the sanctuary, the kind that carry years of weight. Her father has lived through long seasons of homelessness. He continues to navigate the labyrinth of addiction, the ache of family trauma, and the toll of physical suffering.… Continue reading
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October 24, 2025 – Beyond Lip Service: A Reflection on the Cowichan Ruling
Acknowledging Land—But Do We Understand It? I’ve spoken the words countless times: “We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation.” I’ve also recognized the ancestral claim of the Cowichan Nation to a specific area of land in Richmond,… Continue reading
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October 17, 2025 – Two Weeks of Listening: Stories That Stay With Me
These past two weeks have been filled with quiet, powerful moments and encounters that didn’t ask for headlines, only presence. I’ve had conversations that left me humbled, heartbroken, and deeply grateful. At a community event, a young woman avoided eye contact and spoke softly. “I don’t really talk to people,” she said. That was all.… Continue reading
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September 27, 2025 – One Richmond, Many Cultures: Beyond the Surface of Diversity
Today’s event was filled with color, music, and celebration. But beneath the surface, I found myself reflecting on what it truly means to honor diversity. Many public figures came and went quickly. Most stayed long enough to be introduced, say a few words, and pose for photos. Few lingered to speak with visitors or vendors.… Continue reading