Blessing and Dedication of the Synod Offices and Gathering Space
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”
- Winston Churchill
The promotion materials distributed by diocesan communications inviting all interested people to attend the Open House, Blessing and Dedication of the Synod Offices and gathering spaces at 1410 Nanton Avenue on September 13, 2015, perhaps gave the impression that the event would be like the opening of a high rise tower or a business or gated subdivision. But that was certainly not the case. This was first and foremost worship, a liturgy glorifying God, asking the Creator to bless this place, the people who use the place and the work and ministry that is done in Jesus’ name in this place.
The Blessing and Dedication marked the end of years of discussion, visioning, negotiating and planning, and marked the completion of months of engineering, designing and building . Not just building, but renovating and repurposing an existing structure, bestowing open it the components and fixtures necessary to be a gathering place from which the mission and ministry of the Diocese of New Westminster can emanate. Therefore, the Blessing and Dedication also marked a beginning, a fresh start and a renewed purpose for this place located in the venerable, stately, extremely expensive neighbourhood of Shaughnessy.
Approximately 70-80 clergy and lay from the Diocese of New Westminster attended the event which began with the Blessing and Dedication liturgy. At 2pm on the dot, Bishop Melissa Skelton was robed, ready and accompanied by server, Jeffrey Preiss who was responsible for the aspergillum (the wand that would be used to sprinkle the Holy Water of Blessing in the halls, offices and vestibules of the newly renovated space)and the aspersorium (the small container with a handle used as a vessel for the Holy Water and as a receptacle for the aspergillum to remain submerged in Holy Water during the times it wasn’t directly in use by the bishop). Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Douglas Fenton who is Metis was appropriately charged with keeping packets of sage smoking in a large seashell so that he could smudge each corridor, room and vestibule. The sweet scent of sage, and the slight haze created by the smoking vegetation created an atmosphere conducive to the sacred ritual that would soon take place.
Bishop Skelton welcomed all those present to “our new home”. Her eyes roamed around the bare, brown millwork of the reception area and asked, “does anyone know a good tapestry artist?” This prompted hearty laughter from those gathered awaiting the liturgy. She then acknowledged that the place about to blessed and dedicated is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish First Nations: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam. She went on to say that the readings chosen, (Old Testament and Epistle) are the designated scriptures for the Eve of Holy Cross. Bishop Skelton then asked diocesan Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator, Caitlin Reilley Beck to teach the congregation a simple song of welcoming and blessing:
“God welcomes all! Strangers and friends, God’s love is strong, It never ends!”
The song was followed by prayers and then the readings: St. John’s, Shaughnessy warden, Louise Hadley read Kings 8:22-30 and St. Philip’s curate, the Reverend Clare Morgan read Ephesians 2:11-22.
Then it was time for the Blessing which began with the following words from Bishop Skelton:
Sisters and brothers, on this the Eve of Holy Cross Day, we give thanks for Jesus Christ who was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself.
Today we gather in these new offices to ask God’s blessing on a place and on people who, we pray, will have an important role in drawing people to God here in our diocese.
The primary purpose of these offices is to encourage, equip and support the parishes, people and leaders of the Diocese of New Westminster as together, with God’s help, we seek to develop healthier, more faithful and more effective Anglican communities of faith in the lower mainland, the Fraser Valley and the Sunshine Coast. This is not a small task. And so, we seek to assist parishes and their leaders to grow in their baptismal identity and purpose as disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord, to rediscover the goodness of their Anglican identity, to connect to and invite people from our diverse contexts into our parishes, to be a force for justice and peace in our neighbourhoods and cities, to grapple with the pragmatic issues of money, property, and people, and, in all humility, to foster relationships with the First Peoples on whose unceded land our churches sit.
And there is more. These offices serve as a connecting link for us all to the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia, to the Anglican Church of Canada and to the worldwide Anglican Communion in a time of great challenge and change. And finally, these offices now house our Diocesan and Provincial archives, affording us all a new opportunity to learn about our heritage as we seek to become more of who we are in this time and in this place.
Finally, it’s important that we acknowledge the members of our 2013 Synod, the efforts of the Reconnect Task Force, Father Michael Fuller and the leadership and people of St. John’s, Shaughnessy. These individuals and groups have all contributed to a vision of our Diocesan offices that was connected to the life of a parish and expanded to serve parishes, and the broader Church. We are here today because of you.
Thank You.
The Blessing then continued with Bishop Skelton leading the congregation into seven areas of the building.
- The Doorway and Reception Area
- The Finance and Communications Offices (ADMINISTRATION)
- The Large Meeting Space
- The Parish Development, Stewardship, Children & Youth and Indigenous Justice Offices (PROGRAM)
- The Staff Room
- The Archives
- The Bishop’s Office
Each area had a designated staff person lead the prayers prior to the Bishop’s asperging and the Executive Archdeacon’s smudging.
There were a number of highlights including, the extra Holy Water and smoking sage for the Payroll Office, a traffic jam of folks in the hallway of the Program side of the building that forced two or three dozen folks to take refuge in the offices and the fact that the archives vaults nearly missed out on the asperges and smudging. This was a situation brought on by the close quarters in the archives corridors and the moving offering of the prayers by Archivist Melanie Delva who later admitted to being a bit nervous about exposing the collection to water and smoke.
The liturgy closed with prayers, a reprise of the hymn and a number of choruses of Amen. Then everyone adjourned to the Trendell Lounge, a space shared with the Parish of St. John’s Shaughnessy located about 15 metres from the entrance to the offices for a reception featuring punch and sweet and savoury snacks.
As Bishop Skelton said this is “our new home” so feel free to drop by, you will be most welcome.
Photos:
- Bishop Skelton has just placed the aspergillum in the aspersorium having recently completed asperges of the large gathering space at 1410 Nanton Avenue
- Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Douglas Fenton was charged with getting the sage to smoke in the shell for the smudging
- A slight haze of sage smoke was beginning to build in the reception area prior to the liturgy
- The Reverend Clare Morgan read the Epistle, Ephesians 2:11-22
- Bishop Skelton blesses the corridor of the Finance and Communications side of the building
- And just a few extra drops of Holy Water for the Payroll Office certainly wouldn't hurt
- The Venerable Douglas Fenton smudges the Payroll Office
- Time to bless and dedicate the Program side of the office spaces. The corridor is very full
- Bishop Skelton blesses the Bishop's Offices.
This article will be printed in the November issue of Topic with added information and an assortment of reflections on the new space from members of the diocese who attended the Blessing and Dedication.
For more photos and cut lines please visit the Facebook page of the diocese, Anglican Conversation for a photo album.