St. David's Pastor Feted at Parish Dinner

When the Rev. Tim Dutcher-Walls came to St. David’s, Tsawwassen, two years ago as vicar he said the parish reminded him once again of the value of community. Now at the end of his commitment to the diocese, Tim leaves St. David’s with the cherished memory of a most tangible example of ‘community’.

Honoured at a farewell dinner in the parish hall May 4, Pastor Tim was overwhelmed by the goodwill and sense of community that surrounded him. The excellent Coq au Vin, courtesy of the Rushtons – David, ODNW, and Jeanmarie – plus rice, Caesar salad and dessert apple/blackberry pie with ice cream, was remarkable. Kitchen volunteers, servers and wine stewards all played their part in a memorable event.

MC David Rushton guided proceedings and introduced speakers Tracy Grainge, bishop’s warden; Sara Ciantar, director of music ministries; and parish council member Mary Horton, who on behalf of St. David congregants, presented Tim with a framed print of marine-artist and parishioner John Horton’s painting entitled Hastings Mill.      

The painting shows the approach to early Vancouver’s largest lumber mill. Various vessels lie at the dock while others anchor in the harbour waiting to load. It is just after sunset and the lighting is exquisite. Steeped in history, Hastings Mill Store still exists, as a museum, beside Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on Point Grey Road. Perhaps for Tim, this icon of a harbour’s maritime past will trigger thoughts of his two years by the shores of the Salish Sea.

Gift of a colourful T-shirt extolling the iconic American rock band Grateful Dead added a light and waggish note to the evening.

Having served several Lutheran congregations, and more recently three Anglican parishes (including St. David’s), pastor Dutcher-Walls intends to seek less demanding work, at this stage in his life, within the BC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

IMAGES

• Rev. Tim and Mary Horton with farewell gift of John Horton painting “Hastings Mill”
• MC David Rushton pauses at dessert trolley as Helen Matson serves pie and ice cream. 
• Jocelyne Walter, John Hedgecock, Monir & Elinor Attalla, Jennifer Tilbury, Irene Yeo
• Hug of thanks to Jeanmarie Rushton.  

Photos: Loy Yeo