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Against the backdrop of the lush evergreens and (almost) views of the Straight of Georgia, the parishioners of St. Hilda’s parish in Sechelt marked the beginning of Advent and a new season for their community. Archbishop John Stephens visited the parish and presided at the Sunday service for the First Sunday of Advent. He was welcomed by Bishop Jim Mathes, the new rector of St Hilda’s. 

At the start of the service, parishioners sang together as the first candle was lit on the Advent wreath. That one candle, Archbishop Stephens said in his sermon, is a sign of “pushing back the darkness of this world.”

The wreath also reminds us that this season is a season for slowing down. The archbishop said the season of Advent, “whispers to us to pause and recognize that this season is part of our spiritual journey.  A time for feeding our soul, rethinking who this Jesus really was, is and is to come.  This Advent time is about recognizing the holiness of all of life. “ 

It is a time to rethink priorities, hopes, dreams, the importance of love, and where we are amidst all of that. 

“We have lit the first Advent Candle on our wreath to mark our vigil, our keeping awake, for the coming of Christ as our source of hope.  We have lit the first candle to name our concerns about this world and to affirm that there is a better way.  To affirm that we believe that God is calling us to more.  To affirm that Advent is a time to awaken ourselves to see that indeed God is in our midst and is calling us to recognize God’s presence in the beauty of this world, in the grieving, in the addicted, in those who are praying and holding vigil.”

After the service parish announcements were made. Unlike the announcements usually made after a church service, St. Hilda’s community takes this time to share what things - happy or sad - might have happened to them this week, and let the community members know what prayers are needed at this time, or what there might be to celebrate. At this service, parishioners shared news of a long-time parishioner who made the move to long term care on the mainland, items needed for Christmas hampers, prayers needed for a seriously ill grandchild, and an invitation to rejoice that a parishioner’s adventurous daughter was visiting from halfway around the globe. 

After the service, parishioners and some of their canine friends moved into the parish hall for a potluck lunch. There was a distinctive buzz in the air as folks chatted with the archbishop and their new rector. One parishioner who was part of the search committee for the new rector unabashedly said she was “team Jim, all the way.”

For his part, coming to the Sunshine Coast and becoming rector of St. Hilda’s was a response to a call that had begun making itself known to him. Bishop Jim said, “I have been officially retired for almost four years, spending my time doing spiritual direction and leadership coaching. Over the last year, my wife, Terri, and I have been sensing that we had one more adventure to pursue and began to investigate all sorts of options.  However, having travelled to British Columbia a few times over the last few years, we found ourselves increasingly drawn in this direction.  When we came upon St. Hilda’s, we sensed a community whose values and mission aligned with ours.  And as we visited, we fell in love with the place and people.  And so, we took the plunge!” 

A service of induction to formally install Bishop Jim as rector is being planned for the new year.

Photos of the visit can be viewed here.