On January 6 we commemorate an episode which is recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew — the epiphany or “manifestation” of Christ to “wise men from the East.”

Such “wise men” were the high priests of an occult religion whose chief centres lay in Mesopotamia. They were supposed to have special insight into the ways of nature, interpreting dreams and reading the stars in order to determine the will of their gods.

At 7am, January 6, 2022, Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Douglas Fenton distributed an email to staff confirming that the Vancouver School Board had closed schools which is the measure to close the Synod office and work from home.

Please find below links to media reports, reflections and opinion pieces marking the death of the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu on December 26, 2021.

Report of the Archbishop's death and an obit from the Anglican Communion News site: December 26

Tribute from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, ABC's website December 26

Personal reflection from the Right Reverend Michael Ingham, 8th Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster December 27, 2021

Reflection on My Interview with Desmond Tutu (1977). Conrad Guelke's blog on the diocesan website, December 28

Transfiguration - Remembering Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott's blog on the diocesan website, December 31

BBC News Coverage, December 26

Here is the website link supplied by Will Postma, Executive Director of the PWRDF for those who would like to respond with financial aid.

On January 5, Bishop Stephens sent a letter to Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, Companion Diocese to the Diocese of New Westminster. The former bishop, the Right Reverend Brent Alawas was elected Prime Bishop (Primate) of the Episcopal  Church in the Philippines on April 9, 2021. EDNP have not been able to stage an Electoral Synod due to the many restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Bishop Stephens asks that the parishes of the Diocese of New Westminster reach out to their companion parishes on and around January 20 with prayers and good wishes commemorating the EDNP's 50th Anniversary.

Here is a link to the EDNP Facebook Page

Click "Read More" for the bishop's letter

The past year has been busy, challenging, and a time of developing relationships. The two greatest challenges of the year were the May reports of unmarked graves by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc people and the death of the Rev. Vivian Seegers from COVID-19 related complications in June. Both events shocked, disrupted lives, and challenged the faith of many individuals.

As we enter into the year 2022, Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Community will be well into our 7th year of ministry. In some ways 2021 has been our most difficult year yet: members of our extended community have died, households were impacted by fire, floods, landslides, and COVID, we witnessed the publicity around the burial sites at residential schools and supported impacted families, the progress clearcutting and pipelines continued despite our resistance, and land defenders in our circles received lengthy jail sentences.

Terry was a long-time parishioner at Holy Trinity Cathedral and over the years was very involved as a volunteer in parish activities as well as a respected elder.

Deeply grounded in her Anglican tradition, nurtured, and guided by her dear mother, Shelagh along with her late husband Dr. Eric Smith, lived a life of service through her parish of St. Anselm's, UBC.  

Piano tuners, as you know, have to hit single notes again and again. However, now and again they play a chord, and you realize how infinitely richer a musical chord is than a single note.    

Epiphany is like that. In fact, many of the great words of Christian faith – Revelation, Epiphany, Ascension, Resurrection, are much more like chords than single notes. They have all sorts of meaning within them.  

Vicar, part time (60%) - St. Aidan and St. Bartholomew, Gibsons

Content Specialist, part time, contract - Christ Church Cathedral

Parish Administrator, part time - St. Augustine, Marpole

Parish Administrator, part time - St. Helen's, West Point Grey

Youth Ministry Leader, part time - St. Alban the Martyr, Burnaby

Communications Assistant, half time, term: January 17 - March 25 - Salal and Cedar

On Monday, January 10, the Commemoration of Willliam Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury (1645), the  Reverend Terry Dirbas will be inducted by the Right Reverend John Stephens as Rector of St. John's, Shaughnessy.

All those attending will need to show vaccination passports.

The preacher will be the Reverend Lindsay Hills, Rector of St. Mary, Kerrisdale.

The liturgy will be livestreamed via: Facebook; YouTube and Twitch. Liturgies and sermons are archived on the SJS YouTube Channel.

 What is Heaven?

“Heaven” is a word loaded with meaning. We encounter the word in Genesis as part of the creation story, and we are presented with surprising images of heaven in the Book of Revelation. Jesus preached about the kingdom of heaven, and our funeral liturgy speaks of the “promise of eternal life.”

 To register, simply email your request to priest@saintagnes.ca and you will be sent the Zoom link. There is no fee and the program is available to all who are interested. 

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a worldwide movement to inspire local expressions of Christianity to gather together and pray.

You can find more information about the week here.

The Centre for Spiritual Renewal at St. Dunstan's is thrilled to have Dr. Harry Maier, Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at Vancouver School of Theology as the keynote facilitator this winter. You will be blessed in this course! Lecture & spiritual practice experience!

The full three page registration and information flyer is attached here.

REGISTER HERE

Sermon preached by Bishop Stephens at his first episcopal visit to St. Timothy, Brentwood, December 12, 2021, Advent III, Gaudete Sunday.

Bishop Stephens was the presider for the liturgy, including offering the prayers at the Lighting of the Advent Wreath.

Sermon preached by the Right Reverend John Stephens, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster at the 8:30pm Christmas Eve Mass celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral.
This was the first Christmas Eve Mass in Bishop John's episcopacy. 

Photo: Jane Dittrich

Today, Thursday, January 6, Provincial House of Bishops meeting online and later Bishop John will travel to Surrey for the Ordination of the Reverend Kathy Martin as Bishop of BC Synod, ELCIC.

Sunday, January 9, Episcopal Visit to St. Andrew the Apostle, Langley

Monday,  January 10, Induction of the Reverend Terry Dirbas as Rector of St. John, Shaughnessy