Candlemas Celebration of a New Ministry

On Candlemas, February 2, 2017 Bishop Melissa Skelton inducted the Reverend Canon Fr. Kevin Hunt the 12th Rector of St. James, Vancouver in A Celebration of a New Ministry Eucharist. Fr. Kevin had been serving the venerable parish (the most senior Anglican parish in the City of Vancouver) as priest-in-charge since arriving from England in June of 2015.

Bishop Skelton presided over the Candlemas Ceremonies as well as inducting the new rector. Fr. Kevin celebrated the Eucharist.

Elder Kelvin Bee began the Great Procession drumming and singing KWAK'WALA ARRIVAL SONG.

The Dean of the Diocese, the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Elliott, rector of Christ Church Cathedral was the preacher and in the absence of the Archdeacon of Burrard and the Regional Dean of Kingsway he was also the official greeter for the two locales.

Dean Peter Elliott's sermon is available below.

There was a good sized congregation on hand and also a large contingent of clergy including most of the Archdeacons.

The music in worship under the direction of Organist and Choirmaster Gerald Harder included the beautiful Communion Service in F by Herbert Sumsion. There were also additional musicians including brass, tympani and percussion helping to support the choral skills of the choir and the considerable organ skills of Gerald Harder and Assistant Organist, P J Janson.

It was a glorious and prayerful celebration.

Click this link to access a Photo Album of the event with captions at Anglican Conversation, the Facebook pages of the Diocese of New Westminster.

IMAGES

Fr. Kevin acknowledges the applause of welcome The Reverend Lucy Price prepares to chant the Gospel Dean Peter Elliott preaching The Opening Procession enters the North Transept at St. James' Bishop Skelton says, "Kevin, let all these be signs of ministry which is mine and yours, and is shared by all the people of God."