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Bishop Skelton's Episcopal Visit to St. George, Maple Ridge, January 22, 2017, Epiphany III

“Jesus does not look for followers from among those who have social status, from among those who are somehow perfect, or from among those who are well-prepared. Instead, Jesus calls the lowly and in doing so calls into question the system that keeps people down low. Jesus calls the imperfect and in doing so calls into question the notion that God expects us to be perfect as followers.”

These were words spoken by Bishop Melissa Skelton at just past the halfway point of her sermon preached at the main 10am Eucharist with Confirmations for Epiphany III on January 22, 2017 at St. George’s, Maple Ridge. She had taken the Gospel, Matthew 4: 12-23 for her text and her message of dedication and discipleship without perfection or laborious preparation was extremely appropriate for this liturgy where 19 members of the St. George’s faith community were confirmed, reaffirmed and received.

Not only were 19 the recipients of the laying on of hands but there were in excess of 150 in attendance exceeding by 50% the average attendance at the 10 am worship. Rev. Edgerton informed diocesan communications that the last confirmations at St. George’s were in 1988 - and that was in the previous building. The current building was opened in 1990 so the 19 Confirmation, Reaffirmations and Receptions, January 22, 2017 were the first for the current building.

The liturgy looked and sounded a little different than most worship events in the Diocese of New Westminster. The rector, the Reverend David Edgerton; deacon, the Reverend Melody Pearson and Bishop Skelton did not robe. The chancel and the altar were only used for the readings, the intercession, the prayer over the gifts and the Eucharist. Rev. Edgerton and a praise team which included his wife Bridget on drums led the music in worship from the front of the nave. Rev. Pearson and Bishop Skelton sat in one of the front pews, however the Bishop’s Throne was put in place in front of the chancel entrance for Bishop Skelton to lead the Baptismal Covenant and for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

After the gathering song, “Give Thanks to the Lord”, Collect, and two more songs, Bishop Skelton gathered the children of the parish around her at the chancel entrance for what the St. George community refers to as “All Together Time.” During this few minutes, Bishop Skelton held up a number of photographs illustrating just what she as bishop does in answer to the subtitle of the segment, “What does a bishop do?” The photographs were of: people during public prayer; Bishop Skelton in community with others; a line of people holding hands being led by someone who knows the way; a teacher; a shepherd and Bishop Skelton presiding at the Eucharist. All Together Time for January 22 is available by clicking the link.

In her address, Bishop Skelton pondered the decision of Peter, Andrew, James and John to take immediate action and follow Jesus in what appears to be an abandonment of everything; jobs, family and their community in a “sudden redirection.” Bishop Skelton then continued to give some background in reference to what it was like to be a fisherman and what it was like to be a disciple in the time of which Matthew is writing. A downloadable audio file is available by clicking this link.

Following the song, “We Stand and Lift Up Our Hands” ” a video featuring some of the confirmands offering their reasons for wanting to be confirmed was shown on the screen in the chancel. The video is available on this news story post.

After the film, Bishop Skelton presided over the Confirmation, Reaffirmation and Reception of 19 members of the community, and led the Baptismal Covenant. This was followed by the intercession, an enthusiastic exchange of the Peace of Christ, the Offertory and Communion.

When the Prayers After Communion were completed, Rev. Edgerton went to the lectern and invited Bishop Skelton to come up to the altar and share “A Prayer for St. George Maple Ridge."

God Mission: We ask your blessing on St. George's as this community seeks to grow both in depth and in size

May this be a place where people of all ages can worship God, can meet with Christ, and can be filled with the Holy Spirit

May this be a place where people of the gospel are equipped to Live the Good News with adults, children and youth growing as Whole-life disicples

And May this be a place from where people are sent out to live and share the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever their Monday to Saturday takes them, AMEN

After worship there was a reception and a light lunch and then Bishop Skelton met with the parish officers and the parish council.

Following the meeting, a group of folks including Bishop Skelton, her husband the Reverend Eric Stroo and the Reverend Edgerton paid a visit down the street to the “Bird’s Nest” a house that is lived in by professional wrestler Andy Bird and others.

The Bird’s Nest is a non-profit organization founded in January 2016, with a mission to bring First Nations youth out from remote Canadian reserves to Maple Ridge BC. Once in Maple Ridge they are enrolled either in a post-secondary preparation program where they can upgrade their high school diplomas in preparation for college or university, or enrolled directly into post-secondary if their High School diploma is already strong. The Bird’s Nest organization also provides access to numerous trades programs.

There are currently eight young First Nations people living at The Bird’s Nest and two others living with co-founders Denise and Natasha in their homes. All of these are either studying, working or in most cases both.  

The vision of The Bird’s Nest is:

It is our bold vision to enlighten, educate and inform Canada’s First Nations youth to their unlimited potential as productive and self-empowered members of both their culture and society as a whole through the love, help and encouragement of The Bird’s Nest.

The Bird’s Nest is developing a relationship with the parish of St. George. Andy is from the Montreal Lake Reserve in Northern Saskatchewan and relocated a few years ago to the lower mainland to pursue his career as a professional wrestler. Among other initiatives to support the Bird’s Nest and Andy, Rev. Edgerton will be dedicating the proceeds that he will raise running in the BMO Marathon this coming May.      

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