The Homefulness Podcast

Episode 6: The End of Charitable Food

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 04:00:00 -0500

"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 transformation that started to lead the Cathedral's food ministries beyond charity towards justice.

Show Links:

Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium: https://www.empireremixed.com/homefulness

Empire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.com

Sorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca

A Sort of Homecoming: https://www.amazon.ca/Sort-Homecoming-Honoring-Academic-Community/dp/1532683553

Maundy Cafe Website: https://www.thecathedral.ca/maundycafe

Episode 5: Operationalizing Homefulness - Creating a Culture of Neighbourliness

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 01:05:00 -0500

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 was born.

In this episode we hear from Jeanette Moss, Director of Strategy and Development for the Salsbury Community Society. A lot has happened to transform a former church parking lot into a brave community space.

Jeanette takes us on an inspirational journey, and challenges faith communities everywhere to engage in coordinated responses to the needs around us.

Show Links:

Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium: https://www.empireremixed.com/homefulness

Empire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.com

Sorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca

Salsbury Community Society Website: http://salsburycs.ca/who-we-are/

Salsbury Community Society on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalsburyCommunitySociety

Watch the CoHere Story here: https://vimeo.com/387547687

Episode 4: Homelessness and Homefulness in the LGBTQ+ Community

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0400

“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. Through story and statistics, Becca explores the high rates of homelessness in the queer community, and aspects of such homelessness, all. the while pointing forward in hope. In this episode, Becca wonders how we might work together to create safe and supportive spaces where the gifts of queer people are recognized and celebrated. Our response to that question, in relationship with the queer community, could literally save lives. 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 the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations, in the city now known as Toronto, which is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Please listen and subscribe on your favourite platform, then share and leave us a rating. It goes a long way to ensuring more people can engage with these episodes.

Episode 3: Housing for Homefulness - New Opportunities in Canada

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:03:00 -0400

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 territories of the Secwe̓pemc peoples.

Show Links:

Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium: https://www.empireremixed.com/homefulness

Empire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.com

Sorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca

Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness: https://caeh.ca/

Episode 2: Building for Indigenous Homefulness

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400

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/homefulness

Empire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.com

Sorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca

Rev. Lansdowne's Website: https://www.salaconsulting.ca/

Rev. Lansdowne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/revviec

First United Church's Redevelopment Project: https://firstunited.ca/redevelopment/

Episode 1: Home is Where the Wild Rice Is: Settler Homemaking and Indigenous Homelessness

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400

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 Symposium

Empire Remixed: https://www.empireremixed.com

Sorrento Centre: https://www.sorrentocentre.ca

Dr. Keesmaat's Farm: https://www.russethousefarm.ca

Dr. Keesmaat's Current Project: https://www.bibleremixed.com

Trailer: Introducing the Homefulness Podcast

Andrew Stephens-Rennie — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400

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.