On July 23-25, I joined ten men from the DTES and three staff for the first "Wellness Retreat" at Camp Fircom on Gambier Island. This was a remarkable and memorable experience for all involved and a great success leading to the possibility of a return visit in Sept. We shared the space with camping staff that was training for the upcoming children's groups. We shared a common table at meals and many of the activities including canoeing, kayaking, archery, evening campfires, hiking, swimming, working in the garden, and helping clean up an an area under reconstruction.
Jeff Willis, the executive director was directly involved with our group, initially making everyone feel welcome and affirming the pledge of the camp that all involved will be treated with dignity. It was amazing to see the groups merge with open exchanges and mutual support. Our group named themselves "The Boys from DTES" and all commented how they were able to operate with trust and openess just being away from the culture of the Eastside. We are hoping that this group of men will become part of the group we hope to become the nucleus for creating a community at First United Church that promotes wellness.
As you know it is my commitment to be part of creating the cultural - social networks that are essential for recovery from addiction or the trauma that creates home-lessness. I feel there must be a spiritual component to this, and the Christian Church at large ought to be the ideal setting. It must be stronger and more influential than the drug culture. Hence, my interest in presenting workshops on addiction.
For a few days I saw this in effect. The spirit of cooperation was wonderful and I am so pleased a number of the men shared with me traumas, events, and issues that were troubling them.
One of the participants was Brad Firth, a member of the Gwichin band (related to the Navajo tribe) who grew up in the Arctic. He has three years being clean and sober. He was active as an athlete growing up but this was lost in his addiction. He has started running marathons being associated with Run for Change. RFC works in partnership with Carnegie Community Centre and its aim is to introduce low-income, shelter, recovery and homeless people living in Vancouver’s Downtown East side to a healthier, more active lifestyle through regular running/walking.
Next May 8th, Brad is planning on running from Vancouver to Inuvik, North West Territories to draw attention to recovery from addiction. It is 2800 miles and he plans to take 3-4 months to complete his Run to the Arctic. I committed to being there for his departure.
Jeff Willis has done a wonderful job reorganizing Camp Fircom which has gone through a major reconstruction and renewal of program in the last few years. He has a heart for DTES and we discussed holding a 5 day addictions workshop titled The Next Step. I am in the process of writing up a proposal which would be for 9 men who are in some stage of recovery. The goal would be to consider what would be the next step for them to regain the potential they lost in addiction as well as the next step in moving beyond the losses experienced in addiction.
The potential of Fircom is unlimited, as is the possibility of offering workshops there if our thinking materializes.
I am regularly inspired by the qualities of those that serve the DTES at First United and their dedication to being of service to the marginalized. This letter from my colleague Layton Peck catches this "spirit." I hope you will listen to his video at the end of the letter.
To all my colleagues and friends at First United I want to say goodbye, thank you, and farewell. It has indeed been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of his congregation, parish, and the Downtown East Side since April of 2011 and it has been my life’s a great delight to have been given the opportunity by Nina and Ric to make a difference from the shaping the celebrations for our 125th Anniversary ‘Party in the Park’, through the past year of radical and accelerated change here at First United. I have been richly blessed.
I had heard of the work of the First United Church Mission of Vancouver long before moving to BC, and at the time when my life was at it’s absolute lowest, when I was without a home of my own, you took me in, became my family, and gave me a purpose and community in which to thrive. I will, as have so many people who have been served by this institution, ever have a warm place in my heart for you all, still the time has come when I must move on and answer a different call. For those of you whom I may have angered, frustrated, or offended I ask forgiveness, such was never my intent. For those who have sought my advice and shared their confidences I return my humble gratitude and affection, with continued prayers for the growth of your daily blessings. And, for all who have shared their stories, songs, sorrows, frustrations, and laughter, who have broken bread with me here, who have held vigil with me against the forces of darkness, addiction, disease, and depression, and kept the vulnerable of the DTES safe through the night I offer my love, thanks, and friendship.
In my 60 years I have had the honour of being received by, met, and dined with, Presidents and Prime Ministers, Corporate CEO’s, Astronauts, Elite Athletes, Nobel Laureates, and the wealthy and famous from the Arts, Music, Politics, History, Sport, and Industry. Yet among them all I have never met a finer group of individuals than you. I am so very proud to have been a “Firster”. To have had the opportunity to offer a cup of cold water to those who thirst, to bind up open wounds, and after a year of trying, to finally have gotten Mikal Bales to go to the hospital. Mikal told me last Saturday that he knew he needed to go, but he was dragging his feet because he would miss this place. Because it is his home, and it is here that he is loved and appreciated most. I know exactly what Mikal meant.
Here, in this place I have been honoured and humbled to have been asked to pray with the grieving, the conflicted, the ill, and the abused. To have with Amanda’s assistance, saved Cheryl’s life on Christmas Eve. What a special privilege it is to have seen Thomas these 2 and a half months sober, to have been a friend of Irish Mike, Mikal, Dan, Mateyo, Fernando, Tim Whiskey-Oscar-Delta, Tony, Roz, Jodie, Noreen, Elsie, Miles, Brian, Greg, Jimmy Dion, Kelly and far to many more to name. I am so grateful to have known Tina James, to have wept with Rabbi David at Charlene’s passing, to have been prayed over by Rev. Sally and Ross Banister, to have jammed with Stephen Gray, to know Rodney Watson, and to be a colleague of everyone who ever put on the ‘Blue Vest’. To have been embraced, fist pumped, or slapped on the frozen shoulder, and called Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, Pastor, Friend, “Pucking Gar-r-r-r-r-bage Shift Manager”, and so many less flattering names by the wondrous palate of people that make up of the Canvas of the First United Church – The Firsters of the Downtown East Side. So now I take my leave with thanks, admiration, and a tinge of sadness – and the knowledge that I can finally smoke a cigarette without being asked for the kill.
A video gift to you, from Calvin Harrington and Myself, with all my thanks for your help and support, and for the opportunity to have been one of and among you - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKYXqBfzP8
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May God’s Face shine upon you
And be gracious unto you
Yes, and may God grant you Peace
This day and ever more . . . . goodbye,
Jeff Willis, the executive director was directly involved with our group, initially making everyone feel welcome and affirming the pledge of the camp that all involved will be treated with dignity. It was amazing to see the groups merge with open exchanges and mutual support. Our group named themselves "The Boys from DTES" and all commented how they were able to operate with trust and openess just being away from the culture of the Eastside. We are hoping that this group of men will become part of the group we hope to become the nucleus for creating a community at First United Church that promotes wellness. 
Jeff Willis has done a wonderful job reorganizing Camp Fircom which has gone through a major reconstruction and renewal of program in the last few years. He has a heart for DTES and we discussed holding a 5 day addictions workshop titled The Next Step. I am in the process of writing up a proposal which would be for 9 men who are in some stage of recovery. The goal would be to consider what would be the next step for them to regain the potential they lost in addiction as well as the next step in moving beyond the losses experienced in addiction.
