“I give you a new commandment,

that you love one another.

Just as I have loved you,

you also should love one another.

By this everyone will know

that you are my disciples,

if you love one another.”
(John 13:34-35)

Learning the Way of Christ requires community. Koinonia is the mark of a Christian community that is seeking to keep Christ’s new commandment - to love one another as we have been loved by Christ. The word “coin” comes from the Greek word “koinonia” - it refers to the common currency of life. And in Christian community the currency of love requires us to practice love of neighbour, love of stranger, even love of enemy. Here we learn the practices of mutual respect and compassion, of telling the truth in love, of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.

We celebrate the varied ages and heritages of those who find a home in our life together. Students from all corners of the globe come to be with us while studying at UBC. Families with infants and toddlers take part along with beloved elders. The congregation includes many who live and work off of the UBC campus, in other parts of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. It is made up of people from differing Christian traditions (Mennonite, Catholic, Baptist & more) and of those with no Christian background. In keeping Jesus' new commandment to love one another as he loves us we seek to live in a way that is respectful of all, including those who come into our life as guests and seekers. If you are interested in learning more about Christian faith and life with us we hope that you will feel welcome to join in our pilgrimage.

The Welcome Table ...

Key to our practice of Christian community - koinonia - is learning that the church is not ours to do with as we please. We are learning not to say “Welcome to our church” because it is Christ’s community. The church does not belong to us, we belong to it and to Christ. Instead, we are learning to invite others to join us at Christ’s welcome table where we are welcome strangers, children of God.

Because we are dispersed across a wide urban area we find it challenging to build up our life as a close knit community. As a result we linger when we gather on Sundays, taking time after worship to connect with one another over coffee and juice. Our email network is an important means of communication during the week. Subscribers to the email list receive and share news of mutual interest about our common life. It functions like a neighbourhood bulletin board for the congregation. You can subscribe to our email list by contacting Rev. Dr. Ed Searcy.

Communal gatherings to eat together are joyous times. Our Council of Elders and the various Ministry Teams - Worship, Personnel, Finance & Stewardship, Inivitational, Hospitality, Pastoral Care, Campus Ministry & Christian Education - bring us together for work that builds up the life of the congregation. Though we are not a large congregation, we are gifted with a variety of people who generously give of themselves for the benefit of all. Perhaps you, too, will find a home in this Christian community.