Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday, will be celebrated on May 28 this year. The word has its roots in the Greek word 'pentecoste,' which means '50th day.' Pentecost is a major festival in the Christian church and is celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter.

At our recent Synod, one of the very first acts we did, as it was part of the opening Eucharist, was to sing the hymn, Come Down O Love Divine.  A traditional hymn, that perhaps you know well.  

            It begins, and so essentially Synod began with the words:

                        Come down, O love divine,

                        Seek thou this soul of mine,

                        And visit it with thine own ardour glowing;

                        O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,

                        And kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.  

Beautiful words of a beautiful hymn. An invitation and an acknowledgement of the coming of the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit be seen and known and kindle a flame within us. I have sung it countless times over the years, at times seeking the inspiration of the holy.  

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Bishop John prepares for a "Take" of the 2023 Feast of Pentecost video message to the diocese.

The video will be circulated when available. 

Christ is the Morning Star, who, when the night of this world is past gives to his saints

the promise of the light of life, and opens everlasting day.

- the Venerable Bede

Bede was an Anglo-Saxon monk who lived in Northumbria and died in the year 735. He is chiefly remembered as the author of The Ecclesiastical History of the English People — a wonderful account of the Church in England from the arrival of the Roman mission through to his own day.

 St. David’s Coronation event May 7 was a royally good Big Lunch! It brought together more than 100 parishioners, friends and neighbours who joined thousands of others around the world in celebrating the new reign of King Charles III and his Consort, Queen Camilla.

• Rector of St. David's, the Rev. Basvi with guests (from right) Ian and Pam Paton, and Dylan Kruger; Jocelyne Walter (centre), to the left of the Rev. Basvi, soloist, Rosemary Gahr and Chair of Big Lunch planning, Elizabeth Murray, ODNW.
  

Photo: Loy Yeo

The World Council of Churches presidents from different regions across the world have shared a Pentecost greeting and blessing.

You can access the greeting here.

Please share this with your friends, families, and congregations.

An ecumenical organization, World Vision, has been advocating against child labour and studying the supply chains of products we buy in Canada. 

Many Anglicans took part in signing petitions and contacting MP’s.

These scholarships are the most prestigious and generous awards offered to VST students each year.

The Ecumenical/Multi-Faith Unit Group and the Bishop of New Westminster have coordinated a letter of greeting to local Jewish communities on their celebration of Shavuot. This year Shavuot begins at sunset on May 25.

You can learn about Shavuot here and why it is an important celebration in the faith tradition of our Jewish neighbours.

If you feel called to ecumenical or multi-faith work, please connect with the Reverend David Taylor at dmatthew.taylor@gmail.com. 

Please find linked here a poster to add to your parish bulletin board!

For those of you who would like to do a deeper dive re: Synod coverage, please follow this link to the Resolutions archive page on the diocesan website

Image: Vice Chancellor, Kevin Smith, ODNW briefs Members of Synod on the Resolutions' protocols.

Photo: Wayne Chose

 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.

Contract Day Camp Support Workers - ASPIRE Vacation Bible School

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

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 an evening concert of the DorfMusik Group. Music is from the Swiss-German tradition and includes: popular songs of the region, waltzes, polkas and marches. The concert will include a brass quartet playing German tunes. Also one or two pieces will be played on the instrument, the Alphorn.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth and at the door.

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 St. James, Vancouver the principal 10:30am Mass for Sunday, July 2 will be celebrated by the Reverend Fr. Neil Gray on the anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Very Reverend Peter Elliott will preach.

All are welcome.

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."