Celebration of New Ministry at St. Agnes

“It’s been an extraordinary few days,” Bishop Michael Ingham stated at the beginning of his welcoming address, 7:30pm, Tuesday, May 3, at St. Agnes’, North Vancouver. “We’ve had a royal wedding, a federal election, Stanley Cup playoffs, but saved the best for last...a Celebration of New Ministry.”

The Induction of Stephen Douglas Muir was well-attended by Stephen’s new parishioners, family, friends, Camp Artaban colleagues and clergy. Stephen has been involved in the church, specifically the Anglican Church in the Diocese of New Westminster for much of his life so it’s not surprising that his roots run deep.
It is always a treat to hear the words of Bishop Jim Cruickshank who had accepted Stephen’s invitation to preach a “short homily.”

Bishop Jim began by congratulating the congregation of St. Agnes’ on their recent centenary and how honoured he was to preach at the induction of their 14th rector.

He chose for his text the opening sentence from the second reading, 2 Corinthians 4: 1-6,
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Bishop Jim went on to highlight three words: mercy, ministry, heart.

The Gospel is all about love, a love that is beyond human understanding, a love of such incredible depth is exemplified in the word mercy.

He asked the congregation “Why are we here tonight?” and he answered that question by saying, “We are trusted with the ministry of this good news, this tremendous treasure of God’s love.”
Bishop Jim went on to say that even though he retired as Bishop in another diocese he feels very close to the Diocese of New Westminster. He made reference to the priorities of the Diocese and opined that they are like an epistle and the “therefores”: are the goals: “caring for God’s earth,” “cultivating interfaith understanding,” “addressing issues of poverty and social justice.”

Following the sermon, Stephen was presented with various symbols of the ministry of the people by members of the St. Agnes faith community and he was welcomed to the North Vancouver Deanery by Regional Dean, the Reverend Christine Rowe. Bishop Michael reminded those present that North Vancouver is implementing different ways of doing ministry together. Part of that implementation is that the six deanery parishes connect and communicate with each other on a regular basis.

Another highlight of the evening were the musical offerings of trumpet player/ baritone Adam Muir who played a Corelli piece accompanied on piano by his grandfather, Herb Huestis prior to the beginning of the liturgy and sang Handel’s, Si, tra i cepp during Communion.

At the conclusion of worship there was a festive reception in the Upper Hall and of course the cutting of the cake.

Congratulations to the community of St. Agnes, may God bless you all in this new ministry.