Celebrating 76 Years of Ministry
On Thursday, May 26, 2022, the Right Reverend John Stephens presided and preached at the Ascension Day Eucharist at St. Chad's. This would be the Closing Eucharist for the parish as parish members had notified Bishop John Stephens that they had voted to close the parish several weeks earlier.
Although a bittersweet event, the true message of the Eucharist was to celebrate 76 years of ministry in the Arbutus Basin and beyond. The legacy of St. Chad's will be renewed efforts to establish Chinese language ministry and worship in the Diocese of New Westminster.
Rector, the Reverend Bill Mok welcomed the bishop, former rectors, current members of the congregation and former members of the parish to worship.
There was a good turnout of clergy from the Point Grey Deanery, in clericals worshipping congregationally as well as representatives from the Synod Office and two former rectors, the Reverend Paulina Lee (2002-2020), and the Reverend Jenny Wong Nam (1994-1998). The Reverend Wong Nam was one of the readers, sharing the First Reading, Acts 1: 1-11.
A sizeable portion of the congregation was comprised of members of the families of Ruth Pasemko and Rosemary Misfeldt. Ruth and Rosemary are two of the Reverend Norman Southcott's five children. The Reverend Southcott was the first rector of the parish from 1946-1963. Ruth's and Rosemary's siblings not present were: Caroline Burnett, John Southcott (deceased) and Marina Didyk. In an email sent to diocesan communications, Ruth shared some information and her thoughts about the closing of the parish and what the parish means to her and to the family.
For my Sister Rosemary Misfeldt and I it was a very sad, emotional day as St Chad's held its final service before closing on Ascension Day, Mary 26, 2022.
Seventy-five years ago, our father, the Reverend Norman Southcott planted the church in a storefront at 16th Avenue and McDonald Street. Rosemary and I moved into the new rectory at 2649 West 23rd Avenue in 1950, behind the present church and hall.
We have many fond memories of the very active life of St Chad's. Friday night club as teenagers and teen dances in the church crypt. Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas Eve trimming the tree, bazaars, newspaper drives, singing in the choir, girls auxiliary, AYPA (Anglican Young People's Association), Sunday School picnics at Bowen Island, Camp Artaban, baptisms and confirmations as well as Rosemary's and Pat's wedding in 1968.
We made many friends at St Chad's including Eve Anderson who was the organist our father hired in the 50s and who still attended St Chad's until recently. She was well into her 90s
We left Vancouver December 31, 1963 on the Northland Prince fromVancouver harbour bound for Kitimat where our father was inducted Rector of the Parish of Christ Church in the Diocese of Caledonia until his untimely death in 1970 at the age of 57.
Our fathers' and his parents' remains are interred in the wall of the Lady Chapel where the Chippendale altar is located in St Chad's.
Family members present at the service were my sister, Rosemary and husband, Pat Misfeldt , my daughter Melanie and husband Dean Knoblauch with our grandchildren, Madison and Jacob Knoblauch and my husband Jim Pasemko.
Ruth and Rosemary brought with them a treasure trove of memorabilia from their years at St. Chad's, photographs and brochures that were laid out on one of the pews for folks to view.
In his sermon, Bishop John explored the life of St. Chad of Lindisfarne and Ascension Day and how these topics connect to the closing of the parish. Toward the end of his sermon he unpacked the Gospel reading for the day, Luke 24: 44-53 and its connection to the celebration of 76 years of ministry and the opportunity for ministry to evolve and grow.
In the gospel passage for this evening, Jesus phrased it this way:
“See I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The parish of St. Chad’s has been clothed with this power, the power of the Holy Spirit for all the years of its ministry. And even as we prepare for the conclusion of St. Chad’s ministry here in the Arbutus area, we know that the same Holy Spirit is inviting a new ministry to form and develop. A ministry focused on some of the things that guided St. Chad and now will guide towards the future. A ministry based on Chinese language and to continue to spread the gospel and build up the church but in new ways. There is resurrection and not simply death. There is ascension but also a new calling.
As we look to the future this evening, we also look to the past. We give thanks for all of the past clergy, who, like Chad were called to ordained ministry and part of that calling was to have served here; for their gifts and talents, their commitment to living out the Holy Spirit’s calling, their dedication to preaching and praying and living the good news. But it is certainly much more than the work of the clergy that we are honouring today. We remember all others called to ministry: the wardens, the treasurers, the trustees, the parish councils that have sought to discern new paths over the years. We remember Sunday School teachers and students, youth groups and youth group leaders. We remember those who gave so much of their time and treasure and talent as stewards giving back to God what God placed in their lives. We are grateful and thankful to all of these people.
(Bishop John's sermon is available, linked here in various formats on the diocesan website.)
The Reverend Bill Mok has been working closely with Director for Mission and Ministry, the Reverend Tellison Glover and others to plant Chinese language ministry in the diocese. Chinese language worship will begin this summer at St. Titus, Oakridge. More information about this will be circulated as soon as it is available.
IMAGES
- The parish's bilingual banner from the 1980s perhaps?
- Bishop John with the Reverend Bill Mok gather the community with prayer following the procession in.
- Ruth Pasemko and Rosemary Misfeldt with Bishop John
- The Reverend Jenny Wong Nam reads Acts 1: 1-11
- Ministry leaders of St. Chad's. On our left (of Bishop John) former rectors, the Reverends Paulina Lee and Jenny Wong Nam. On our right of Bishop John, the Reverend Marion Wong, currently Vicar of St. Titus, Oakridge.
- PowerPoint slide with the list of priests-in-charge
- The building
- The Chippendale reredos in the Lady Chapel. (in the body copy of this post)
- Group shot of everyone at the liturgy, May 26, 2022. (in the body copy of this post)