"O God of peace, bless this oil that those who receive this holy unction may be restored to wholeness and strength."

Watch for more coverage of the April 12th Holy Eucharist with Reaffirmation of Baptismal & Ordination Vows, Blessing of Holy Oils in the April 21st edition of Diocesan E-News and on the diocesan Facebook page, Anglican Conversation.

Early on the first day of the week,

            while it was still dark,

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb 

and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

That first Easter morning, according to the gospel of John, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb in the darkness of pre-dawn.  Expecting to find only darkness and the grip of death, she discovered much more.  She discovered what it meant to encounter the God of new life and the resurrection of Christ.

The Diocese of New Westminster stretches from Powell River to the northwest all the way to Hope in the east. There are currently 65 parishes and 3 worshipping communities all part of the Anglican Church of Canada and the World Wide Anglican Communion.

Click the link to access the Find-a-Church pages where you will find 11 regional groupings each with 5-7 parishes pages inside. Each regional grouping landing page has a description of the region and each parish page is linked to a map. There is also a "SEARCH" function for each regional group. Many of the parishes have posted schedule information regarding worship and events.

On April 10, 2022, the threat of rain was imminent around the Lower Mainland. Many parishes of the diocese of New Westminster planned to celebrate the Liturgy of the Palms prior to the commencement of the Sunday of the Passion Eucharist.

On Saturday April 2, 2022, 40+ parishioners from two White Rock parishes; St. Mark’s, Ocean Park and the Church of the Holy Trinity gathered to listen, to learn and to discern their roles on the journey towards Truth and Reconciliation. This gathering was the third in a series of four events co-sponsored by the two parishes.

In 2015, Synod staff representing the Mission & Ministry and Communications departments assembled a Legacy Planner booklet.

You will find linked here a full resolution .PDF of the 2022 edition of the Planner.

Please find linked here from the Provincial House of Bishops, a pastoral letter regarding Safe Church practices.

Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon

Those who wrote the four gospels did so because they were convinced that the three fleeting years of the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, the relationships people experienced with him, the manner of his death followed by their assured sense of his living presence among them, would have a bearing on what it means to live a human life in any age or culture.

Here is the link.

Some time ago, I volunteered for a few shifts as a “guardian” for the art installation in honour of the children who died in residential schools, present on the far steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery since May or June of 2021. Being a guardian involved sitting under a tent by the site, keeping an eye on it, tidying it, joining (as appropriate and invited) in acts of prayer led by Indigenous people, and engaging in conversation with curious passersby.

As part of its outreach to the wider community, St. Clement's in Lynn Valley publishes a quarterly magazine that is written largely for a "non-church" readership. 

Lively Spirit - Spring 2022

The overall purpose of Parish Development Grants is to assist parishes in the diocese as they develop, with God’s help, into healthier, more faithful, and more effective communities of faith. We are interested, therefore, in making grants to parishes that have a vision for their own development and would like diocesan assistance in moving toward the vision.

Intent to Apply forms and information sheets are now on the diocesan website here and there is a a firm submission deadline of August 30, 2022.

Throughout the history of the Diocese of New Westminster there’s been fundraising for projects that are diocesan in their planning and implementation. Care+Share is the most recent version. It was established following a resolution at Synod 2011. Ministries included in Care+Share do not receive “funding,” instead they receive financial contributions made by parishes and individuals, sent to the Synod Office finance department which forwards funds several times a year to the current recipients.  

Missioner for Climate Response, permanent part time - Anglican Diocese of New Westminster

Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster

Parish Operations Manager - St. Laurence, Coquitlam

Parish Administrator, part time - St. George, Fort Langley

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

Child and Youth Ministries Assistant, contract, part time - Christ Church Cathedral

Click 'Read More' for the full listings of worship at the diocesan cathedral.

Here is a direct link to the Livestream section of the cathedral's website.

Walking the labyrinth is like making a pilgrimage….

It is a journey where you might think about loved ones, distractions, or burdens on the way in, be open to the grace and love of God at the center and return uplifted, blessed, and renewed.

Link to the St. Philip's website post about the event.

This four week offering will contemplatively explore central themes of Christian doctrine such as creation, sin, Christ, Trinity and more. We will take time to listen, linger, and enjoy sacred conversation.

This series is available on Tuesdays at 10am - 11:30am and also at 7pm - 8:30pm.

Morning Registration

Evening Registration

$40 $20 $10 $0

In solidarity with the Ukrainian Bishops of Canada, we invite you to join with The Canadian Council of Churches on April 24, 2022 which is Pascha (Easter Sunday on the Julian calendar), to proclaim together that Christ is Risen, that love overcomes fear, and that life overcomes death and destruction.

Bishop John Stephens and the Mission and Ministry staff of the Diocese of New Westminster invites all those being confirmed, reaffirmed or received into the Anglican Church this year to join us for a day of teaching, conversation and worship.  

Explore your spiritual gifts. Ask the big questions. Get up close and personal to a sacred space.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/dnwconfirmation22
Cost: $15

A three day series to discover the gift of slowing down.

To rekindle community

The celebrate the day that breathes life to the other six.

Register by calling 604 946 8413 or email hello@allsaintsladner.org

In the parish hall.

In addition to a wide assortment of items, hot dogs and baked goods will also be available at bargain prices.

Outside the church, the Burnaby Garden Club is having their annual plant sale.

The last Saturday of each month we offer a variety of spiritual practices to learn, practice, reflect and experience God’s presence and action in our lives. Following is a time of quiet worship and song with the Rev. Andrew Halladay and the Rev. David Taylor.

Please click "Read More" for detailed schedule and registration information

Please register by email by April 30, 2022.

Every church can become a centre of lifelong learning in faith and discipleship. Lifelong faith formation can be a reality for every church community, regardless of size, finances, location, and resources. 

Sponsored by the Congregational Vitality Initiative of VST and the Diocese of New Westminster

Register: email the Missioner for Christian Formation to get on the waitlist!    

The convocation speaker will be Dr. Elin Kelsey, author of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way we Think is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis. She is a scholar, speaker, educator and award-winning author. Over 40 graduates will receive degrees and diplomas.

There will be an acknowledgement of the Reverend Germaine Lovelace, winner of the President’s 2022 Thoughtful, Engaged and Generous (TEG) Christian Leader Award.

On Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, the Most Reverend Melissa Skelton was the guest preacher at the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris, France.

Archbishop Skelton retired as the Diocesan Archbishop of the Diocese of New Westminster and as Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon, February 28, 2021

Sermon preached at the Parish of St. Titus, Oakridge, Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022 during Bishop Stephens's first episcopal visit to the parish.

The Reverend Ron Culmer has served as Rector of St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, Plesanton, California (Bay Area) and Preschool since 2004. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he earned his undergraduate degree from California Lutheran University, and a Master of Divinity from The Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

Thursday, April 14 - Overdose Memorial Service, Christ Church Cathedral, 2pm. Maundy Thursday, Christ Church Cathedral - 7:30pm

Friday, April 15 - Good Friday, Christ Church Cathedral, 3pm

Saturday, 16 April, Easter Vigil, Christ Church Cathedral, 9pm

Sunday, 17 April, Easter Sunday liturgies, Christ Church Cathedral

Here is a link to the Livestream section of the Cathedral's website.

Bishop Stephens will chair the meeting of Archdeacons, Diocesan Dean and the Staff Leadership Team, Thursday, April 21.