Palm Sunday Episcopal Visit to North Vancouver

On Sunday, April 2, 2023, Bishop John Stephens visited his Parish of St. John the Evangelist, North Vancouver for Palm Sunday, the first liturgy of Holy Week, 2023.

As the weather around the Lower Mainland was very unsettled (from bright sunshine to hail to sleet to snow) the Liturgy of the Palms was celebrated in the narthex prior to the Procession in.

The Archdeacon for Deacons of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Venerable Peggy Trendell-Jensen was Deacon of the Word and Table, leaving her home parish of St. Clement, Lynn Valley for this Sunday's worship. The Palm Sunday liturgy can be quite an undertaking for deacons, what with proclaiming the Gospel during the Liturgy of the Palms (Matthew 21: 1-11) and the reading of the Passion of Christ according to Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 27: 11-54). Archdeacon Trendell-Jensen was certainly up to the task.

The music led by a sextet of women's voices under the leadership of Choir Director, Christie Smith and accompanied by organist/pianist Galina Martyniouk was excellent as usual. This very fine choral ensemble is well worth the trip to St. John's, NV. There was a guest musician, a skilled violinist, Roxana Whethem.

Rector of the parish, the Reverend Patrick Blaney, the congregation and the lay leadership always create a warm, welcoming environment for worship.

As is customary, Bishop John preached and presided at the Eucharist. His sermon posted on the diocesan website; video, audio and text is linked here.

There are many more photos with cutlines to be found in a Photo Album at Anglican Conversation, the Facebook pages of the Diocese of New Westminster

IMAGES

• Bishop John Stephens prays The Collect. Full chancel window view
• A weird weather day. Bright sunlight on St. Mary's school in North Vancouver with the Vancouver skyline shadowed by dark and stormy clouds.  
• Choir Director, Christie Smith leads the before worship rehearsal. Violinist, guest musician Roxana Whethem is visible right rear.
• Rector of the Parish, the Reverend Patrick Blaney welcomes the congregation
• Bishop John preaching
• The Liturgy of the Palms in the narthex
• The Gospel Procession
• Bishop John leads prayers
• COUSINS! Christie Smith and the Venerable Peggy Trendell-Jensen
• The vested, posed, archival Episcopal Visit photo for April 2, 2023