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Archbishop Shane Parker visited the Diocese of New Westminster from May 15 to May 19. During his time in the diocese he had a chance to experience the variety of ways local Anglicans live their faith. 

On Saturday May 16 he took part in an Eco-Pilgrimage organized by Salal + Cedar at Sparrow Creek Farm. The 45 minute walk through the re-wilded property was followed by an outdoor Eucharist Service using the Salal + Cedar liturgy. 

Archbishop Shane ended the day at Christ Church Cathedral where the Centre for Spiritual Renewal was holding a half day retreat in the heart of the city. 

On Sunday, May 17 the primate presided and preached at the Sunday eucharist service at St. Michael’s Multicultural in East Vancouver. During his sermon he said he was pleased to the parish has a strong connection to Mission to Seafarers. He said the ministry is close to his heart because his uncle, the Rev. Joe Parkers was the Mission to Seafarers chaplain in Vancouver from 1975 to 1993. 

Archbishop Shane’s visit to the diocese coincided with Jerusalem Sunday, the day the national church remembers in prayer Anglicans and Christians living in the holy land. He said Christians make up four percent of the population of the holy land. Anglicans account for two percent of that population, which translates to about 7000 people, 27 parishes and 30 different ministries. The ministries include education, health, and rehabilitation services. 

Because Christians are such a small portion of the population of the holy land, they can find themselves pinched between two narratives, he said. That can make their lives difficult. 

Turning to the readings of the day, the primate said in the readings Jesus talks to his disciples about eternal life and “he shows how to live in a troubled world.” One key is to remember that eternal life is not something that will happen down the road. It is “knowing God now” and living “with kindness, courage, compassion gentleness, being just, being merciful, with forgiveness,” among other things. 

The parish visit ended with various groups performing traditional Filipino songs and dances in honour of the primate’s visit. 

On Tuesday, May 19 Archbishop Shane gathered with the clergy of the diocese at the Synod Office. He offered some remarks about the Anglican Church of Canada as he found it when he - unexpectedly - became primate in June 2025. He touched on the Pathways commission and document mandated with finding new models of being church, suitable for the world of today, and shared current plans for the Church House building in Toronto. He then took questions from the gathered clergy.