"I want you churches," the city councillor declared, "to put us on notice that you’re not going to offer charitable food anymore.”For many in the room, this challenge was a shock to the system. But for those of us rethinking the food ministries at Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral, it added much-needed fuel to the fire. This was the kind of change we were seeking to bring about, we didn't yet know how to get there.In this episode, Andrew Stephens-Rennie reflects on the process of...

At a neighbourhood meeting, local churches are asked what they're doing about increasing homelessness in their neighbourhood. The short answer: not much.That provocative question got members of Vancouver's Grandview Church thinking—and acting—in response to the needs in the community surrounding their church building. Years later, after a variety of experiments in housing and economic development, Co:Here (http://salsburycs.ca/who-we-are/timeline/) was born.In this episode we hear from...

“I have heard endless stories of queer folks who tell me that when they came out, they lost their church home…which in some cases will lead to losing housing if it was attached to their church community or support system,” shares Becca Sawyer, a 2SLGBTQ+ community builder, facilitator, speaker, and future psychotherapist. This is Becca’s presentation from the Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium co-hosted by Empire Remixed and the Sorrento Centre in Spring 2021.She was speaking to us from...

In today’s episode, we hear from housing advocate, the Rev. Michael Shapcott, Executive Director of the Sorrento Centre. Michael shares from decades working on the front lines—and in back rooms—to secure the right to dignified and affordable housing for all people in Canada.This is Michael's presentation from the Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium co-hosted by Empire Remixed and the Sorrento Centre in Spring 2021. Michael was speaking to us from the traditional, ancestral, and unceded...

In today’s episode, we hear from the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Executive Director of First United Church’s Social Housing Society, located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations. This is Carmen's presentation from the Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium hosted by Empire Remixed and the Sorrento Centre in Spring 2021.Show Links:Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium: https://www.empireremixed.com/homefulnessEmpire...

In today’s episode, we hear from Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat—biblical scholar, farmer, permaculture practitioner, and activist.This is Sylvia’s talk from the Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium hosted by Empire Remixed and the Sorrento Centre in Spring 2021.Show Links:Beyond Housing to Homefulness SymposiumEmpire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.comSorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.caDr. Keesmaat's Farm: https://www.russethousefarm.caDr. Keesmaat's Current Project:...

This podcast seeks to deepen the discussion of home-making and housing. In the face of a systemic homelessness that has economic, social, public health, ecological, cultural, and spiritual manifestations, how might we develop more holistic and integrated policies and practices for deeper homefulness in our communities? The Homefulness Podcast was developed by Empire Remixed in partnership with the Sorrento Centre, co-hosts of the national Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium in Spring 2021.