Many in the diocese are aware that there is a proposed Companion Diocese relationship currently being explored by the Diocese of New Westminster (DofNW) and bishop, the Right Reverend Melissa Skelton and the Episcopal Diocese of North Philippines (EDNP) and its bishop, the Right Reverend Brent Alawas. For more information please click the link to access a pdf copy of the March 2016 issue of Topic and scroll to page 12.
A great deal of progress was made in this exploration as a result of the March 1-7 visit of Bishop Skelton, her husband the Reverend Eric Stroo, and the Executive Archdeacon of the DofNW to the EDNP. Bishop Skelton had been invited to be present and preach at the EDNP Convention (think Diocesan Synod) that was held March 1-4 in Bontoc.
Needless to say the trip was by all accounts a huge success. Following the days in Bontoc the three from the DofNW visited other parts of the EDNP including the towns of Sagada, Tadian, Otucan and Besao. Archdeacon Fenton had his camera with him and did a fabulous job of chronicling the six day adventure in photographs. Please click the link to access a Facebook photo album that tells the story of the visit.
The reports from the bishop and the executive archdeacon are creating a great deal of excitement around the DofNW and all are looking forward to Bishop Alawas's visit to our mission conference which will take place May 14, 2016.
A full feature article with details of the trip to EDNP will be published in the Summer 2016 issue of Topic, which should be available online and in homes by mid-June.