Bishop John preaching at Morning Prayer, the Opening Worship of Day 2 of the 122nd Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster, May 13, 2023.

Following the 9am Opening Eucharist, the front 30% of the ballroom at the Italian Cultural Centre in East Vancouver was reconfigured by ICC and Synod staff to make the space more conducive to a two-day meeting. The completion of the set change indicated that it was time to begin the Constitution of Synod. Prior to the business of the diocese getting underway, Bishop John Stephens greeted the Delegates to Synod (they wouldn’t be Members of Synod until the Quorum was certified and that certification -  Moved, Seconded and then voted on) and said,

“First of all I’d like to say that it is really great to see all of you in person. This is the first time we as Synod have gathered in-person since 2019… and that seems like a long time ago.”

This was met by enthusiastic applause.

By clicking on 'Read More' you will find the results of the elections held at the 122nd Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster on May 13, 2023. Many thanks to Chair of the Nominations Committee, Kerry Baisley, ODNW for his diligence in sourcing a list of fine candidates and many thanks to Returning Officer, Susan Tufts who returned to take this essential role in diocesan governance.

Support for SARA for Women was given by the Parish of St. Matthew, Abbotsford. The members of the parish were asked to donate their loose change weekly during March and April of 2023. This collection of coins ended up weighing nearly twenty-five pounds! Once counted, the offering came to $519.05. A representative of SARA was presented with a cheque.  

May 6, 2023 was a special day for Anglican liturgies. People from all over the world watched the Coronation of Charles III, an Anglican liturgy in many ways akin to a Celebration of the Eucharist with Confirmation, Ordination or Eucharist with the Consecration and Ordination of a Bishop.

Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant.

We give thanks for the life of Leonard Ernest Dyer, Deacon, and are grateful for his ministry in our diocese and in the broader Anglican Church of Canada. Len died on Tuesday, May 2. 

Funeral details are to be confirmed and will be posted on the diocesan website and in diocesan correspondence when the information becomes available.

On Sunday, May 7, 2023, the Parish of St. Helen's, Surrey celebrated the Coronation by including the Collect for the New Sovereign and the singing of God Save the King.

In recognition and support of Red Dress Day, May 5, the liturgy included a special tribute to the Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirited peoples during the Prayers of the People.

On May 18, Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver’s Rector & Dean, the Very Rev. Chris Pappas, Jane Dittrich ODNW (Christ Church Cathedral’s representative to Sorrento Centre) and Lauren Odile-Pinkney (the Cathedral’s children, youth and families minister) met @ the Cathedral to discuss the July 9-15th Sorrento Centre Summer Week. Less than two months away!

LINK

On Sunday May 7, at St Mark’s, Ocean Park, Happy Birthday was sung by the 8am congregation with a vanilla cake to share following worship.  At the principal celebration of the Eucharist at 10am, a birthday blessing was sung and a large chocolate cake served at coffee time.  

Tuesday, May 9, St Mark’s Men’s Club celebrated Percy’s birthday with singing and cake.

On Wednesday, May 10, the parish organized a catered dinner of roast beef or chicken for over 100 invited guests including Percy’s 3 children: Peter, Wendy, and Baden, their spouses and some of Percy’s grandchildren.

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – an opportunity to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Around the world, including North America, we have seen increasing levels of hatred directed towards transgender and queer people. It is more important than ever for individuals and organizations to take a stand, to create safer spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and to commit to the important work of allyship.

 There are just a few spots left for the 2023-24 school term for affordable community living for Christian students close to downtown Edmonton.  Christ Church Mosaic is a house next door to Christ Church Parish where six young adults from various parts of the country live out their faith and their lives together.

Apply to be a resident for the 2023-24 term by completing the form linked here.

Like some of you, I imagine, we watched some of the Coronation of King Charles on Saturday, May 6, 2023. As perhaps expected, the weather wasn’t good, rather wet, the thing no one can control. When the Queen died last September we knew this occasion would come, the fortieth time Westminster Abbey has been used for the crowning of the British monarch since 1066. 

The Board of the diocesan Anglican Church Women are thankful to the many people who've worked diligently over the years to help the diocesan ACW thrive in God's service. With the smart initiatives of those before us, and the sale of the W.A. Memorial House in Vancouver, we have the means to flourish for generations to come. Sadly, we've hit a snag. Our currently leased warehouse in Burnaby will have a significant increase in rent at the end of the lease on May 31.  

Here we are back in those long ago revolutionary and now romantic 1970s. It’s morning in the city, the silence of early Sunday morning hours. It’s about 8:45 and I have just come away from Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver's altar after the early morning Eucharist. I take off the vestments, pick up a Bible and a prayer book and stole and get into the car. Down towards the harbour, east along dockside streets, left across the railway tracks, and I arrived.

Building Maintenance Assistant part time - St. James, Vancouver

Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator part time - St. Catherine, Capilano

The St. John's, Shaughnessy choir will offer beautiful music, including works of William Smith, T.A. Walmisley, C.V. Stanford, Olivier Messiaen, and more! Seasonal libations to follow. All are welcome! 

After the reception, the parish will host an organ recital by Isaac Howie, semi-finalist in the RCCO National Organ Competition. His program will include works by Franck, Allwood, Bach, and more.

Cost:$60
To register: contact Susan Cowan by email or call 604-988-8835

Registration opens at 9:30am

Election of Officers & Business Meeting

Morning Eucharist; Celebrant: Bishop John Stephens

Afternoon Guest Speaker: Dr. Scott Brubacher, the Executive Director of the Anglican Foundation ("Say Yes to Kids" campaign)

Cost $20, includes morning coffee/muffins and lunch. Payable at registration table

Presidents, please click here to pre-register your groups before May 12th

Download a poster for your parish bulletin board here or below

Free to enter. Refreshment tickets are just $5, which gets you a slice of pie (or a brownie if you prefer) with ice-cream on the side + tea or coffee. 
 
Enjoy browsing our Baking, Crafts, Jewelry, and Plants tables, with many wonderful items available for sale. 

Plenty of parking in the lot on Spring St. and Douglas St. www.stja.ca. 

All are invited to attend an Evensong to mark the Feast of Pentecost. This will also be an opportunity to celebrate St. Mary's Director of Music, Brigid Coult, as she enters retirement after many years of dedicated ministry both at St. Mary's and within the Diocese of New Westminster

Singers who would like to participate in the choir should contact Brigid by email or phone 604.261.4228 ext.227 before May 15.

This the first of two Ground Work terms in 2023 will be facilitated by the Reverends Tellison Glover, Marnie Peterson and Andrew Halladay.

Purpose

Using organizational development tools and spiritual reflective practice, Good Ground for Spiritual Seekers will explore your parish's culture and identity. Your team will use this awareness to shift your parish's attention toward building more meaningful relationships with seekers and newcomers. Come expecting to develop a strategy for implementing new habits that form a more welcoming, engaging, and generous community.

Groups of five people will depart the trailhead every twenty minutes for the approximately forty-five minute stroll. Times must be booked in advance.

Please register for the pilgrimage or pilgrimage & supper by email at office@stgeorgeanglican.ca.

All are welcome. Bishop John will be present to preside and assist in distributing the Certificates

Do you love your church? Do you wish it was easier to share your faith? Fear not! The Rev. Scott Gunn will lead us in exploring some practical and inviting ways we can all share our faith with others.

REGISTER HERE

A gorgeous way to end the day and a perfect reset for the week ahead. Reflection, prayer, quiet meditation and song in the chancel at St. Mary's.

St. Mary's Kerrisdale
2490 West 37th Avenue, Vancouver, V6M 1P5

Our team of volunteers are ready to make this year’s Strawberry Social a memorable and wonderful experience, as we celebrate the return of Early Music Vancouver with a concert.

The concert starts at 1pm, followed by the first seating of our strawberry social. Can't make the concert? Don't worry, we have a second seating at 3pm. Just looking for some home made dessert to enjoy at home, we have you covered with pick up only take out orders available. We have something for everyone!

Don't miss the first concert by the new orchestra based at St. Titus. Works performed will include:  Charpentier, Lully and Handel

Tickets $20 from orchestra members or at Eventbrite 

St. Titus, 680 49th Avenue, west of Cambie 

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1504 Sprice Ave., Coquitlam.

If you are interested, contact Jason Wood, St. Laurence's Youth and Family Minister, at stlyouthandfam@gmail.com.

Looking for something this summer for kids? Always wished there was a place to invite families over the summer to grow deeper in faith, play in community, and grow together in love? Aspire Bible Camp is coming this summer, and we want you!

REGISTER NOW, before it fills up!

Email Lauren or Alex to find out more."

Sermon preached by Bishop John Stephens at the Opening Eucharist of the 122nd Synod of the diocese.

Sermon preached by Bishop John Stephens during Morning Prayer, the opening worship of Day Two of Diocesan Synod. The principal focus of the day was a deep look at Diocesan Priorities for the next 1-2 years.

Sermon preached by Bishop John Stephens during an Easter VI episcopal visit to St. John's, Shaughnessy, the parish where he was incumbent prior to his October 3, 2021 election as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.