Film Crew Welcomed at Holy Cross

Sunday, April 18th a film crew consisting of videographer Wayne Chose (Christ Church Cathedral), filmmaker/editor, Cliff Caprani (St. Thomas), Diocesan Communications Officer, Randy Murray and Project Producer, the Venerable Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser was welcomed by the parish of Holy Cross, Vancouver.

In November of 2009 a group of Anglicans united under the title of the JC-VCC (Japanese Canadians - Vancouver Consultative Council) and led by VST student and St. Michael's Vancouver Warden, Greg Tatchell made a presentation to Diocesan Council that outlined in detail the selling of two Japanese Canadian Anglican Mission churches by the Diocese of New Westminster in 1945 and in 1949. The group making the presentation had asked Bishop Michael Ingham for appropriate recognition of this event and Bishop Michael moved quickly by appointing a Task Force of: Greg Tatchell, Anglican Archivist, Melanie Wallace, Priest-in- Charge of the current Holy Cross parish,the Rev. John Shozawa and chaired by the Venerable Stephen Rowe.

In consultation with the Bishop, Stephen began assembling plans to create a short documentary film that would tell the story of "What Happened to the Churches" so that those in the diocese who had little or no knowledge of this might begin to understand the depth of hurt and pain that the selling of the churches continue to cause in the Japanese Canadian Anglican community in Vancouver. It is hoped that once there is understanding, reconciliation can follow.

April 18 was the last day of filming for the crew so it was more than fitting that the last day would take place at Holy Cross.

Archdeacon Stephen Rowe was the guest preacher, Greg Tatchell read in English and Michiko Tatchell read in Japanese, "My Story" the recollections of the Reverend Canon Tim Nakayama, the son of the priest of one of the relinquished churches, the Reverend G.G. Nakayama. The time spent together in the sanctuary concluded with Stephen presenting the congregation with a beautiful tapestry containing the text in English of the Lord's Prayer, handcrafted by a Japanese Canadian woman connected to his Church of the Epiphany parish. Then Stephen and Randy spoke to the congregation about the content of the film and answered some questions.

If all goes well the film will be shown at Synod on May 15th, 2010.