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The Metro Vancouver Alliance, a community organizing grassroots coalition, part of the 85 year old world wide Indusial Areas Foundation , composed of organizations across faith, labour and community met on Sunday afternoon April 23 at the Jewish Community Centre.

This was the first large gathering since the pandemic as MVA seeks to rebuild and look at the future work in areas of affordability issues and income insecurity within the framework of an environmental and indigenous lens. 

D of NW folks in attendance included: members of the diocesan Justice and Peace Unit (a member organization of MVA) , Urban Aboriginal Ministry (member organization), St. Mary’s, South Hill, St. Laurence, Coquitlam and St.Thomas, Collingwood (both member organizations of MVA), St. Catherine’s and St. Clement’s north shore, and diocesan staff member, Minister for Climate Justice, the Reverend Joyce Parry-Moore.

The Diocese of New Westminster is an MVA sponsoring organization.

MVA will be holding a ‘Listening Campaign” (a process of table groups to hear what really matters within organizations). Over the years, the Rev. Margaret Marquardt, has led these sessions. If there is any parish who would want her to lead such a process in their parish, or have her share this model of community organizing, please send an email.

As well, there will be a Leadership Institute ‘Foundations of Organizing Training’, Friday, June 16, 5:30-8:30pm (on Zoom) and Saturday, June 17, 9-5pm (in-person) at CUPE Metrotown, 6222 Willingdon at Beresford, in Burnaby  (close to Metrotown sky train). If anyone in any parish would like to come to this, there will not be a cost if they come through The Justice and Peace Unit (as a member organization of MVA which pays dues, there isn’t a cost for training).

Please be in touch with the Chair person of the diocesan Justice and Peace Unit,  The Rev. Margaret Marquardt - mmarquardt@telus.net

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