On April 30th, Elevation Waterloo & Trillium Luteran are hosting the screening and discussion panel for “Thinking Beyond the Market”, with creator, Dr Brian Doucet. Brian is an author, filmmaker, and Associate Professor in Planning at the University of Waterloo. His work focuses on housing, gentrification, displacement, transportation, and neighbourhood change.
This documentary takes viewers across Canada, highlighting real policies, programs, and projects already making a meaningful impact on the housing crisis. From non-market housing initiatives on public land in Kitchener and Whistler, to Indigenous-led projects in Vancouver, to strengthened tenant protections and rent control in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, the film showcases practical solutions at work in communities of all sizes. Featuring interviews with over 30 planners, policymakers, developers, residents, and housing advocates, it both inspires and challenges us to consider the root causes of the housing crisis—and the transformative possibilities ahead.
Following the screening, we will have a time of discussion with Brian.
Entrance is free, with donations welcomed (all donations will be directed to one of our PiAT initiatives).
Join us this Sunday (April 12, 2026), at Elevation Church for Service & Learning Sunday and a meaningful conversation on disability, hospitality, and the Church’s role in responding to the housing crisis. Guided by the story in Mark 2 of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof, this session—featuring Nicole Cotie, Chantal Huinink, and Bryan Gillmore—will explore how churches can become communities that truly notice, welcome, and remove barriers for people with disabilities.
Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of disability and hospitality, grow awareness of housing challenges, and consider practical ways to respond with compassion and dignity. Hosted in partnership with Karis Disability Services, this session is for anyone who wants to help build a more accessible and responsive church community.
This is a drop-in event, although registration is available on Church Center.
The Gospel isn’t a static story, it’s an unfolding mystery. Throughout this new five-part series, “The Unfolding Gospel”, we’ll lean into the depths of the Good News together, moving from the original dream of Shalom to the restorative weight of a judgment that heals. It is an exploration of what we are truly being saved for, discovering how Jesus embodies a “Very Good Gospel” that continues to make all things new from one generation to the next.
For the season of Lent this year we took some time to explore the kind of justice that Jesus invites us into as Christ-followers. We referenced the book, The Justice of Jesus, by Fr. Joash P. Thomas as a guide, as we reflected together what it might look like to decolonize our theologies, practices and communities – in a pursuit for greater liberation and wholeness.
February 22nd – Centring on the Justice of Jesus at the Table
As we considered the path that Jesus walked on earth – showing us the way of love, justice and peace – we were invited to examine the ways that our faith, worldview and understanding of Jesus have been shaped and corrupted by colonization and empire. A starting point in decolonizing our faith is to center ourselves on the Eucharist table. We spent some time reflecting on how centering the Eucharist/Communion table leads us to the centering of Jesus – in our gatherings, our faith community and our lives. Part 1 Podcast Link
March 1st – The Cost of Justice
In a world of “Thoughts and Prayers” and performative social media posts, what does it mean to embrace the cost of Justice? This week we spent some time digging into the story of the Good Samaritan as we continued exploring together what it means to centre on the Justice of Jesus. In what ways can we lean away from “cheap justice” and lean towards the life of true justice that Jesus calls us to? Part 2 Podcast Link
March 15th – Pursuing Justice through Decolonization
The Church as we know it in our Western culture has become intertwined with the dominant colonial systems and power structures. These systems and structures do not reflect the ministry or the justice of Jesus, and can perpetuate inequity and harm on the marginalized. This week we looked at how our congregation may pursue justice by intentionally stripping away those biases and actively promoting restorative justice through our teaching, our community, and our budget. Part 3 Podcast Link
March 22nd – Holy Proximity: Moving from Sympathy to Solidarity
How do we move from feeling overwhelmed by the world’s needs to actually participating in its healing? This week, we continued our Justice of Jesus series by diving into the practical architecture of the Kingdom. We explored four essential disciplines that sustain any movement for restoration: Prayer, Advocacy, Partnership, and Community. Following the message, we gathered around tables for interactive exercises to help us identify how these four pillars can be built into our daily lives and our collective work in the community. Part 4 Podcast Link
March 29th – Decolonizing Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday: Palm Sunday, The Original ‘No Kings’ Day!
How do we understand Palm Sunday in the original historical and scriptural context of Jesus, Justice & Empire? And how does the example of Jesus in Palm Sunday inspire us to live in ways that peacefully resist the ways of the empires of our day in 21st century Southern Ontario today? This week, we concluded our Justice of Jesus series by reflecting on Palm Sunday through the lens of Jesus, justice, and empire, with Fr. Joash P. Thomas. Together, we explored the historical and scriptural context of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, considering how his non-violent, unifying way stands in contrast to the exploitative, “divide and conquer” patterns of empire—both then and now. We reflected on how the example of Jesus invites us to live lives of peaceful resistance in our own context, here in Southern Ontario today. Moving beyond teaching, we also gathered at Jesus’ Table—one of the most ancient and unifying practices of the Church—reminded that we come with our full, God-given identities. In this space, we named the truth that those often labelled as outsiders or “heretics” by empire are, in fact, deeply beloved by God. Part 5 Podcast Link
With the win sending Team Canada to the gold medal game on Sunday morning, we’re pivoting our Sunday gathering!
As you know, our Sunday morning gatherings rely on several wonderful teams of volunteers each week. With the Olympic gold medal hockey game happening this Sunday morning, we have heard from many in our community – including our volunteers – that they would love to be able to take in this event. So, rather than trying to move ahead with a very scaled-back team (and community engagement) on Sunday morning, we’ve decided to lean into this exciting moment.
Instead of our usual 9AM start, we’ll meet at 6:30PM for an evening service.
Our service format will be very similar – with a time of musical worship, our KidsQuest classes, the first part of our Lenten sermon series, and sharing in communion. As this is a Neighbours Sunday, we will not have a time of discussion after the service and will plan to be wrapped up by 7:45PM.
We hope you enjoy the morning cheering them on, and we look forward to gathering later in the day as we begin our Lenten series together.
Canada celebrating in the semi final against Finland (Photo by Peter Kneffel/picture alliance via Getty Images)
For the season of Lent this year we will be taking some time to explore the kind of justice that Jesus invites us into as Christ-followers. As we consider the path that Jesus walked on earth – showing us the way of love, justice and peace – we are invited to examine the ways that our faith, worldview and understanding of Jesus have been shaped and corrupted by colonization and empire.
We’ll be referencing the book, The Justice of Jesus, by Joash P. Thomas as a guide, as we reflect together what it might look like to decolonize our theologies, practices and communities – in a pursuit for greater liberation and wholeness.
