Mary was called the Magdalene because she was a woman of Mag’dala, a village in Galilee. In the Gospels it is said that Jesus cast seven demons out of her and that she was one of a group of women who followed him and used their wealth to provide for the rest of his companions.

On the evening of Wednesday, July 12, Bishop John Stephens travelled to his parish of St. David's, Delta (Tsawwassen) to preside at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist with Baptism. The baptismal candidate was Nayasha Janelle Basvi, youngest child of the parish's rector, the Reverend Simbarashe Basvi and wife Mebbe. Nayasha is sister to older siblings,  Nokutenda Nicole and Kupakwashe Ivan.

Many thanks to Mary Horton of the parish for the photos.

All Saints hosted a Strawberry Tea fundraiser on Saturday, June 24. There was a great turn-out and fun was had by all.

Just prior to the beginning of the Canada Day weekend, Friday, June 30, 2023, under a warm summer sky in West Vancouver a water taxi took 19 ACW members from St. Michael’s, Multicultural (SMM), plus Bishop Alex Wandag, a retired Filipino bishop, to Camp Artaban.

After five long years of waiting, planning, and fund-raising, members of the Parish of St. John’s, Shaughnessy and their partner, members of the Parish of St Philip’s, welcomed the arrival of the Kandeel family from Lebanon on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.  

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Mary Lynburner, Debbie Matheson from St. Philips, the Rev. Terry Dirbas, Jennifer Clarke and Robyn Woodward from St. John’s welcome the Kandeels  (Hadeel, Bassel, Tala, Mohammad and Ghaith) at YVR.  

Please follow this link to access Sobia Moman's July 14th article in the Peace Arch News.

The location of the Hub is the Anglican Parish of the Church of the Holy Trinity, White Rock.

Early in July, 2023, the parish of St Hilda’s worked to renew its labyrinth, with help from guests currently residing in the church annex while RainCity’s Sechelt facility is being renovated following a fire.

This Celebration of Holy Eucharist with Ordinations took place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, June 24 at 10:30am. Bishop John Stephens ordained Kevin de la Mare (now the Reverend Kevin de la Mare) to the diaconate and the Reverend Paul Richards was priested.

The Titus Chamber Orchestra, resident liturgical ensemble of the Anglican Parish of St. Titus in Vancouver, held their debut concert on Sunday, June 25.

Led by Music Director Kevin Zakresky, this group of musicians has become invaluable to worship at St. Titus, playing together for key feasts and as individual players for regular Sundays.

The gospel of Mark, with its repeated use of the word “immediately”, is known for its fast and urgent action as Jesus bursts in fully adult, gets baptized, preaches, and calls followers within the first few verses. It offers a great opportunity for a bible study series that time crunched people could do. Here’s a roundup of resources for a study. People can do some of these on their own or in a small group.

I am not a morning person. I was on retreat in March with the Canons of the Order of St. Benedict, at the beautiful Bethlehem Centre in Nanaimo, and was concerned not so much with being godly as with staying awake. Vigils (the first prayer time, or office, of the morning) wasn’t even especially early, 7:30am, but I was long out of practice.

August 17 (Next Issue)

September 7

Do you keep memorabilia? I do, and now that I have seven boxes of it – and still going – I’m so glad I started collecting this and that and goodness knows what about 35 years ago. At some time or other you may have benefitted by this habit of mine because now and again I rummage around in it all and find something that is not only still a treasure to me but might be to you when you read it after all the years.

The Government of Canada is offering funding through the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) to combat hate-motivated incidents and crimes.   

For more information on the terms and on how to apply, please visit this webpage.

The deadline to apply is August 31, 2023!

Rector, full time, permanent position - St. John the Baptist, Sardis

Caretaker, full time, live in position - St. Philip, Dunbar

Parish Office Assistant, contract, three hours per week - All Saints, Burnaby

Music Director, part time, contract position - St. John the Apostle, Port Moody

Interim Organist and Choir Director - Holy Trinity Cathedral

Children and Youth Ministries Leader, part time, salaried position - Cloverdale United Church

Director of Field Education - The Montreal School of Theology

Spiritual Health Practitioner, casual part time - St. Michael's, Centre, Burnaby

Director of Advancement - Vancouver School of Theology

Join us on Sunday, July 23 in celebrating our patronal feast - sung Mass in church followed by lunch prepared by Watari.

Preacher: The Reverend Stephen Rowe

All are welcome! 

Fee is $100 per child

Click here for the Registration Form

The Vancouver School of Theology and St. Andrew’s Hall are delighted to announce that Andrew Root, PhD, will be the lead speaker at the inaugural Cork Lecture and Workshop.

While there is no charge to attend, registration is required for each of the sessions.

Three celebrated artists in concert with beautiful baroque music, showcasing the virtuosic brilliance of violinist Chloe Kim.

For more information, visit the event page: https://www.sjmusic.ca/events/triptych/2023-08-12

Facilitators: Lorie Martin, David Taylor, Jodi Krahn 

The focus of this retreat will be journeying through Psalm 23 to experience God, our Shepherd, as Mother God. We will enjoy a community circle with music and time in solitude. Throughout this gorgeous property we will experience “Psalm Stations” of interactive spiritual practices, embodied prayer movement, and artistic creative expressions.          

Register Here

How do we find the courage to stand on “the edge of the inside” of the circle? How do those experiences help us to stay grounded in compassion? On the journey to discover inner and outer freedom, many of us find that the true centre isn’t really in the middle at all—it lies at the edges.

PLEASE ACCESS THE FULL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION HERE

The renowned Polish concert organist Michał Szostak performs on St James’ majestic three-manual Casavant organ.

Admission is by donation, and the event is followed by a reception.

Please confirm your attendance through Eventbrite.

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

One Wednesday, September 27 and four Thursdays in October.

This course will introduce clergy and faith leaders to the concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory, to begin thinking about their own role and function within their family as well as their role within their faith communities.

Fee: $300

Follow this link to the information page on the Living Systems website

Sharon will also be offering an in-person, advanced program with limited registration that will run once a month through the fall of 2023.

Follow this link for more information about the advanced program.

Sermon preached by the Very Reverend Peter Elliott, retired Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral at the Solemn Mass celebrated on the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost at St. James, Vancouver, July 2, 2023.