St. Hilda’s was filled to capacity with chairs added in the aisle to each row of pews in order to provide sufficient seating for the many visitors who came to share in the celebration.
Clarence’s parents journeyed all the way from their home in Hong Kong for the event.
There were dozens of supporters both clergy and lay who made the trip to Sechelt from the Lower Mainland in order to show their support for Clarence. Many who made the trip are members of St. James, Vancouver where Clarence served for a number of years.
Father Ron’s sermon was certainly a highlight of the worship. Linking Luke’s version of
“The Beatitudes” with Clarence’s ministry experience and journey was particularly compelling for the congregation.
Father Ron said “Clarence knows the grounding of God. Clarence knows what it’s like to be a stranger, to be shunned and only coolly accepted by others. But he knows that he is loved by God. All of his experiences make a phenomenal foundation for ministry
So use him!”
Parish leaders delivered the key elements of the parish to Clarence in a moving Covenant in Ministry ceremony. The formal welcome concluded with a hug from ministerial colleague the Rev. Peter van der Leelie, Incumbent of St. Bartholomew, Gibsons just down the road.