Just to confuse the British, two New Westminster couples with the same name (but spelled differently) represented the diocese at last month’s meeting of the Compass Rose Society in Canterbury, England—Diocesan Business Administrator Rob Dickson and Mary Pat Dickson, and the Rev. Kevin Dixon and Diane Dixon of St. Mary’s Kerrisdale.

Maria Morellato, QC

Kevin Dixon wrote a story for TOPIC which appears elsewhere. St. Mary’s membership in the Compass Rose Society was made possible earlier this year by a gift to the church in memory of Bill Sauder who died in December, 2007.

Maria Morellato, QC, a warden at St. John’s, North Vancouver, was presented with the Award of Excellence by the Women Lawyers’ Forum. It’s the group’s highest honour, and it was awarded at a special luncheon because she is a woman who has “taken risks, fostered change, and ultimately opened door for women lawyers.”

The Rev. John Marsh, described as an “affable, round-faced reverend,” was featured in an article in the Globe and Mail on the community meal program at St. Mark’s, Vancouver. About 100 people have been fed weekly for the past nine year at the Kitsilano parish, a ministry shared with St. George’s, Vancouver, and Trinity United.

Jon Cornish

A unique Christmas event will take place at St. Alban’s, Richmond. It’s called “St. Nicholas meets the CFL (Canadian Football League).” Apparently both St. Nick and football players will participate in the parish served by the Rev. Margaret Cornish. Cornish isn’t saying exactly what will happen, but it may have something to do with her son, Jon Cornish, a running back for the Calgary Stampeders.

Annette Savage, a parishioner at St. Oswald’s, is heading back to Cape Town, South Africa, to help build homes for people who need but can’t afford them. About 2,000 volunteers, organized by the Irish charity Niall Mellon Township Trust, last year built about 200 homes in Khayelitsha, a township near the city.