Individuality and Diversity Bound Together by Love
The Celebration of a New Ministry Eucharist on February 10, 2020, at Holy Cross Japanese-Canadian Anglican Church in Vancouver’s South Main Street neighbourhood was one of those occasions where the Anglican family gathered to celebrate a truly blessed event. The blessed event was the installation of the Reverend Lucy Price as Vicar of the 117 year old parish.
Rev. Price had been appointed vicar by Archbishop Skelton at the request of the Holy Cross Search Committee. Holy Cross has been without a priest-in-charge since the amicable departure of their last rector, the Reverend Daebin Im in the spring of 2018. Reverend Im was present at the Feburary 10 liturgy and it was very close to 8 years to the day since his induction as Holy Cross' rector. Rev. Price had recently completed five years at St. James’ in the Downtown Eastside where she had been a theological student on placement, which evolved into a curacy, resulting with her appointment as Associate Priest of the City of Vancouver’s oldest Anglican parish. Rev. Price completed her ministry at St. James’ in November of 2019.
There was a large contingent of St. James’ members gathered at Holy Cross on February 10, which isn’t surprising as Mother Lucy was a much loved ordained leader of the parish’s shared ministry, however, the connection is deeper than that as Holy Cross was an early church plant of St. James’ dating back to 1903. Through Rev. Price’s appointment that close relationship continues. St. James’ organist and director of music, Gerald Harder led the music in worship, St. James’ trustee, Kelvin Bee, ODNW, an Elder of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation provided the traditional welcome and territorial acknowledgment. Gerald and Kelvin were joined by a number of lay members of the parish worshipping with the Holy Cross community and sharing in their happiness.
The preacher for the Eucharist was the Reverend Liz Hamel who began her sermon by offering a quote from the Holy Cross website:
“I wanted to know more about Holy Cross and so I went to the church website, where I read this statement.
‘We take pride in the bonds of spirituality and love that bind the individuality and diversity of the people who make up our friendly parish.”
“the bonds of love that bind the individuality and diversity of the people who make up our friendly parish.’ Individuality and diversity bound together by love.”
(A video and the text of Rev. Hamel’s sermon are available by following this link)
More than a dozen clergy vested and processed, and they were joined by a number of others in clericals seated in the congregation. Among those in the pews was the Regional Dean of Kingsway Deanery, the Reverend Wilmer Toyoken, rector of the nearby St. Michael’s, Vancouver (aka St. Michael’s, Multicultural Church) who offered the traditional welcome to the deanery to his new deanery colleague, although St. James' is also in the Kingsway Deanery so the two priests are well-acquainted.
Following the liturgy there was a joyful celebration which featured a buffet offering a wide variety of delicious items, sweet and savoury available in the parish hall.
The Parish of Holy Cross and Archbishop Skelton are very grateful for the ministry of the Reverend Graham Witcher, who faithfully served during the prolonged interim period as Sunday Supply priest.
IMAGES
- Holy Cross’ Warden, Gwen Lamacraft, ODNW, and the new vicar pose for a photo during the post-worship reception.
- Elder Kevin Bee, ODNW offers the traditional welcome and territorial acknowledgment (Musqueam ancestral lands)
- The preacher, the Reverend Liz Hamel
- The Venerable Douglas Fenton, Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster adds his signature to the Oath signed by the new vicar
- Presentation of the Bible during the Presentation of the Symbols of Ministry
- Pouring the water into the Font during the Presentation of the Symbols of Ministry
- Mother Lucy gives the “2 thumbs up” sign while Archbishop Skelton leads the applause of welcome
- Clergy and lay greet each other during the "Peace."
- The Eucharistic Prayer
- The Eucharist concludes
- St. James’ Director of Music/Organist, Gerald Harder
- The reception