Poppy and Rosie, pets of Molly McKenzie, are offered a treat by the Rev. Marilyn Hames during the Blessing of the Animals at St. Philip's, Vancouver
Pets blessed on St. Francis Day.
 
Poppy and Rosie, pets of Molly McKenzie, pictured, were offered a treat by the Rev. Marilyn Hames during the Blessing of the Animals at St. Philip's, Vancouver. The Blessing of the Animals takes place or near St. Francis' Day, October 4. Over a dozen pets were blessed in the annual service. Blessings took place at several other parishes, including St. Edward’s, Richmond. (Photo by Derek Simpkins)

Anglicans and others demonstrate at City Hall
 
Demonstrating last month at Vancouver City Hall to bring attention to the plight of the homeless were Sr. Elizabeth Kelliher, Roman Catholic Franciscan Sisters; Rev. Margaret Marquardt, Diocesan Justice & Peace Unit; Sheila Paterson, St. James Church; Kurtis Peters, Mennonite Brethern Church; Rev. Barry Morris, United Church.

St. James focuses on homelessness
 
A special parish forum on housing and the homeless was held this summer by St. James' parish in Vancouver.
 
Parishioners performed a play, "Trouble in Paradise." It was followed by a question period with three Vancouver advocates and activists on housing: Jean Swanson, David Eby and Judy Graves.
 
The parish then met in small groups and discussed ways in which St. James might act collectively to help end homelessness. They decided on "Five Focuses" for the coming year: just land stewardship; be advocates for the homeless; engage in works of mercy; teach, study and discern; use liturgy, word and sacrament as a resource for action

St. Jude's Home celebrates 60 years
 
St. Jude's Anglican Home celebrated 60 years since its founding. A service of thanksgiving was celebrated by Bishop Michael Ingham in the chapel and followed with a party attended by about 150 residents, past and present family members, staff and volunteers.

Honoured with several cakes for ten years at Holy Trinity was the Ven. John Bailey
Bailey 10 years at HTC
 
Parishioners of Holy Trinity Cathedral marked the 10 years of the Ven. John Bailey's time with them. In the church hall, the usual after-service coffee fellowship became a mini-festival with five gelato cakes and fresh fruit. It was a particularly happy event as we recognized an incumbent who has been so energetically committed to the needs of our community.
- Frank Allder

Lutheran pastor continues at CCC
 
Vancouver's Lutheran Urban Mission Society (LUMS) and Christ Church Cathedral have agreed to a further two-year period of sharing ministry resources.
 
LUMS works in Vancouver's Downtown East Side, to provide pastoral support to the residents. At the Cathedral the society, headed by Pastor Brian Heinrich, will use a room as office space for a nominal sum. Heinrich has been appointed by Bishop Michael Ingham in consultation with Lutheran Bishop Gerhard Preibisch a "street priest-honorary assistant."

The Rev. Janice Lowell, ordained a deacon this summer, speaks to children at St. Andrew's Langley after her installation there as Curate recently. (Terry Kohan photo)
Curate begins at St. Andrew’s, Langley
 
St. Andew’s,Langley, held a celebration of new ministry with the Rev. Janice Lowell as she began work in that parish in late September. A recent graduate of Vancouver School of Theology, she hopes to become a priest in the future