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The history of the church is complex, but the threads find a way of weaving together in ways we might never imagine.

The Rev. David Edgerton made the comment during his sermon during the service of induction for the Rev. Vineet Samuel. Rev. Samuel was installed as Vicar of a two point parish made up St. James the Divine church in the Maple Ridge and Holy Spirit church in Whonnock.

Those threads Rev. Edgerton referred to are weaving the two churches together in a new collaborative ministry.

Turning to the Gospel passage used for the service (Matthew 25: 31-40) which describes Jesus telling the faithful any time they cared for someone in need they cared for him, Rev. Edgerton said “this isn’t a passage about caring for the poor. It’s about looking after the disciples.”

Rev. Edgerton continued saying it can sometimes be easier to show love to those in need than for fellow disciples. He listed the obstacles we often find to showing love for fellow Christians, or even members of one’s own church.

“Disciples who work together, collaborate, get higher praise from Jesus in this Gospel passage,” he said.

Together, as a collaborative community, one can only imagine what the parish might be able to accomplish.

The Rev. Samuel was ordained and ministered in the Diocese of Delhi. He came to British Columbia with his family to pursue graduate theological studies at the University of British Columbia.

View photos from the Service of Induction here.