Come Holy Spirit, Come

“Come Holy Spirit, come” were the words that concluded Bishop John Stephens’s sermon preached on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bishop John was making the first visit of his 15-month-old episcopacy to his ‘other’ cathedral church. Archbishop Adam de Pencier believing that the town of Vancouver would become the largest centre in the Diocese of New Westminster after negotiations with the Christ Church parish council moved the cathedra (the bishop’s throne) to Christ Church, Vancouver in 1929. However, Holy Trinity, a parish established in 1859 and designated the cathedral church in 1879 retained its Cathedral status. There is a lot more to the story as the late great Lyndon Grove, ODNW pointed out in his 1979 biography of the Diocese of New Westminster, “Pacific Pilgrims”:

“There had been episcopal rumblings about changing the see to Vancouver since 1898. Now the time had come. (Christ Church was not de Pencier’s first choice. There had been plans to build a see house and cathedral on South Granville, where St. John’s, Shaughnessy, now stands. Pledge cards were printed in an attempt to raise fund for a new cathedral there.)

The people of Holy Trinity in New Westminster were not amused – “bitterly disappointed” is Leslie Pearson’s description  -- and , according to Harry Ratcliff, “New Westminster city council was furious when word reached it… I understand they made the bishop a prisoner in his own See House on Agnes Steet until they all came to terms.”

The terms included Holy Trinity’s right to retain the title “Cathedral” and to receive half the revenue from the sale of the New Westminster see house property. Agreement was reached in time to prevent civil court action and the playing out in Supreme Court of a Trollopean church comedy.”

Suffice it to say that as one of the first Anglican churches built in what is now the Diocese of New Westminster, Holy Trinity has a colourful history and now, what is looking to be a very bright future.

For more than a decade Holy Trinity has been working on a plan to partner with a developer and develop a section of the parish’s real estate footprint. This journey has been well documented in diocesan communications over the years. On Sunday, June 5, 2022, during the vicar’s announcements prior to the Closing Hymn and Dismissal, the Venerable Richard Leggett asked several people in the congregation who have been working on the project to stand and be acknowledged. He informed the congregation that there is a very good chance that the development project will soon go to First Reading by New Westminster City Council. The board outside the church is included below for information:

And on this day when the arrival of the Holy Spirit is welcomed, Cayleigh was confirmed by Bishop Stephens, an appropriate ordinance for such a day that includes the following words said by the bishop:

"Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Cayleigh with your Holy Spirit; empower her for service; and sustain her all the days of her life."

The HTC choir under the direction of Director of Music and Organist, George Ryan, ODNW led the hymns and mass setting. Assistant Curate, deacon, the Reverend Montgomery Tugwete was Deacon of the Table and filled the role of Bishop’s Chaplain. The Reverend Tugwete, God willing will be priested at Christ Church Cathedral on June 11, and will continue his curacy at HTC. Honorary Assistant, the Reverend Michael Deck was vested and present and HTC’s deacon, the Reverend Carole Neilson was Deacon of the Word. Robert Smith was Reader, sharing the scripture for Pentecost; Genesis 11: 1-9; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b; Acts 2: 1-21.

Following worship all were invited to a “build your own sandwich” lunch in the parish hall..

Please keep Cayleigh and the Parish of Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Westminster in your prayers as they embark on these new phases of their journeys in faith.

IMAGES

•  "Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Cayleigh with your Holy Spirit; empower her for service; and sustain her all the days of her life."
• The choir at the chancel crossing, Music Director George Ryan, ODNW at the piano leads the choir as they sing "Spirit of the Living God."
• Reader and Psalmist, Robert Smith leads Psalm 104.
• Deacon of the Word, the Reverend Carole Neilson prepares to proclaim the Gospel, John 14: 8-17
• Bishop John Stephens took the Epistle for text and examined the Holy Spirit in a contemporary context. His sermon is available here on the diocesan website
• The deacons, the Reverend Carole Neilson and the Reverend Monte Tugwete prepare the altar during the Offertory, " Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost."
• The vicar with the pre-Dismissal announcements
• The unmasked, vested episcopal visit clergy posed photo. The Reverend Michael Deck, honorary assistant; the Reverend Monte Tugwete, deacon of the table (Rev. Tugwete will be priested on June 11); Bishop John; deacon of the Word and Deacon of HTC, the Reverend Carole Neilson; Vicar of HTC and Archdeacon of Westminster, the Venerable Richard Leggett.
• New Westminster's newest confirmed Anglican, Cayleigh with Bishop John.