Retired Clergy and Spouses Luncheon – Advent 2022 Edition

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, Bette Geddes, ODNW and the crew from Sharing Abundance catering, along with Jane Dittrich, ODNW, and a platoon of helpers arrived at the Synod offices of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster at 1410 Nanton Avenue, hours before 11am “doors” to prepare for the annual Advent luncheon. Also present were the co-chaplains to the Retired Clergy and Spouses; the Reverend Karin Fulcher who has been on the frontline of organization of this event for several years, and new co-chair, the Venerable Andrew Pike.

The three main gathering spaces were fully utilized for the 2022 iteration with the Trendell Lounge conscripted for the pre-lunch “cocktail” time, the reception area for the buffet and the large conference room with the addition of 10 circular tables the venue for the luncheon itself.

Although there were still a few masks (and nothing wrong with that), attendance was robust, in the vicinity of 80+, the energy was high, and it was obvious that this group of folks were grateful for the opportunity to gather in-person and spend some time together.  Twelve members of Synod staff also attended the luncheon. Across from the registration table in the Trendell Lounge was a table with greeting cards to be forwarded to those not able to attend. Signing the cards and including good wishes to absent friends and colleagues has become an event tradition. 

Bette and her team assembled a traditional Christmas dinner of turkey with all the trimmings, along with a tasty vegetarian option or two, followed by individual Gingerbread cupcakes topped with caramel cream.

As with many things in the Church, if something happens once or twice and nobody complains too much it becomes a ‘tradition’ and that is certainly the case for the Advent Luncheon quiz. Established by then-co-chair, the Reverend Neil Gray in 2018, Archdeacon Pike was happy to take it over and the 32 questions contained in the “Retired Clergy Historical Diocesan Quiz” were distributed to the guests upon registration. Questions ranged from “What is the date of the arrival of the first priest in the diocese?” to “Name the 2nd Bishop of New Westminster” to “Who was the first Dean of Christ Church Cathedral (after it became the Cathedral Church of the diocese in 1929)?” The questions were quite difficult, use of smart phones was prohibited and when Archdeacon Pike took to the microphone to provide the answers during dessert, some of the answers he gave turned out to be controversial.

The keynote address was given by Bishop John Stephens. The bishop focused on the two principal trips that he had taken in the previous months, the Lambeth Conference, July 25-August 8, and the trip to Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, the Diocese of New Westminster’s Companion Diocese for the Consecration of diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Benny lang-Akan, September 7-17. Bishop John was one of the consecrating bishops.

Prior to closing the luncheon, Bishop John directed the attention of the plenary to the Venerable Douglas Fenton who retires January 4, 2023. Archdeacon Fenton was greeted with sustained applause of appreciation for his years of service.

The next Retired Clergy and Spouses Luncheon will be the spring edition, exact date, TBA but likely in late April or early May of 2023.

IMAGES

• The Advent Wreath with the candle lit for Advent I
• The Trendell Lounge during the “cocktail” hour.
• Greeting cards for those not able to attend
• Anne and Dudley have a chance to visit. Amongst the benefits of this event are the opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues
• On the left, Bill Siksay, the principal staff support person, who organizes the two Retired Clergy and Spouses events each year with the Reverend Karin Fulcher the senior Chaplain to the group. Here we see Karin calling the folks in the Trendell Lounge into the Conference Room for lunch.
  
• The Reverend Karin Fulcher calls out the tables to proceed to the reception area to partake of the Christmas lunch buffet
• The Venerable Andrew Pike supplies the answers to the quiz.
• Bishop John, the after luncheon speaker
• A view of the conference room prior to the conclusion of the lunch. (in the body copy)