"Let Love be Genuine"

During the evening of Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Right Reverend John Stephens inducted the Reverend Fr. Robin Ruder Celiz as Rector of the Parish of St. Helen, Surrey, a worshipping community that has gathered for more than 110 years in the beautiful heritage church located in Surrey’s Gateway/Whalley neighbourhood.

The following is an excerpt from a promotional piece submitted to diocesan communications in December of 2015 to promote the parish’s Lessons and Carols for Christmas liturgy:

St. Helen's is a diverse congregation made up of people not only from Surrey but those who have come from many parts of this world near and far. We are of different cultures and mother tongues. We bring all our strengths and gifts and vulnerability here in this place to be a community of faith together. It is this faith that we hold in common and share; to be one in Christ and to encourage one another in our faith. 

And the parish continues to feature many voices, all united in sharing the messages of God’s enduring love. 

There was a good-sized congregation, augmented by supporters from the Reverend Ruder Celiz's former parish of All Saints, Ladner and a large turnout of clergy. The Venerable Luisito Engnan, Archdeacon of Fraser and Vicar of both St. Michael, Surrey and Christ the Redeemer, Cloverdale officiated the Covenant in Ministry standing in for the Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Philippa Pride who was suffering from a cold.  Regarding the robust turnout of diocesan clergy who were seated in the choir stalls located in the sanctuary chancel, preacher for the Eucharist, the Reverend Stephen Rowe, Rector of the Anglican Parish of the Church of the Epiphany, Surrey (St. Helen’s neighbouring parish to the east) and Regional Dean of Peach Arch remarked on what a fine pop-up choir they made, as he was able to hear not only the melody lines of the hymns but also alto, tenor and bass. The Reverend Rowe also preached at the previous induction of a new rector at St. Helen’s, September 3, 2015, and he was grateful for the “return engagement”.

For part of his address he selected a portion of the Epistle, Romans 12 verses 9-12:

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Reflecting on the text, the Reverend Rowe said:

This passage urges that our love be genuine, that we reject evil and hold onto all that is good. We are called to excel in respecting and honouring one another. We aspire to be hopeful, patient in suffering and to be enthusiastic in our work for Christ as well as passionate in serving God. We are urged to contribute to the community and offer hospitality to those outside the church.   

The church consists of people who are united in Christ as members of one body, but who have many and varied gifts to offer for its ministry. We do not need everyone to have the same function, and it is the role of the church to discern what gifts people have and how they can be used for God and the common good.

Fr. Robin came to the Diocese of New Westminster from the Diocese of Kootenay in the summer of 2014 and was installed as Vicar of the former-Parish of St. Martin, North Vancouver that fall. In the fall of 2019, he was appointed Rector of All Saints, Ladner. According to the preacher, the Reverend Rowe:

Robin came to Canada from South Africa where his diocesan bishop went by the name of Desmond Tutu. Bishop John no pressure.

Robin is known for his love of candy and chocolate, and I hear his kids know to guard their Halloween stash very carefully. Robin tells people he isn’t an animal person but tends to be the first to pick up the family dog when she looks appealingly at him. He isn’t too fond of heights but ensured daughter, Amelia got to go on all the rides she wanted on a visit to Playland. You will get to know him as your priest and pastor over the coming months and years. 

(The sermon is available here on the diocesan website, video (YouTube HD), audio and text)

The Reverend Ruder Celiz succeeds the former rector, the Reverend Stephen Laskey who retired in September of 2021, following an incumbency of 7 years. Prior to the bishop’s February 1, 2023 appointment of the Reverend Ruder Celiz there were two priests-in-charge: the now-Venerable Philippa Pride who during her tenure at St. Helen’s was appointed Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster and Archdeacon of Vancouver and more recently the Reverend Mark Munn. 

Please keep the Parish of St. Helen’s, Surrey, the Reverend Fr. Robin Ruder-Celiz and his family in your prayers as they embark on this stage of ministry together.

IMAGES

• The new rector with the wardens, Lynn Turner and Roy Francis located in the front pew until the Covenant in Ministry. 
• The church at dusk on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Photo by Bishop John Stephens
• Warden, Lynn Turner welcomes the congregation.
• Bishop John offers the Territorial Acknowledgement followed by the Gathering of the Community... "My brothers and sisters in Christ, Robin Ruder Celiz has been chosen to be priest of the Parish of St. Helen, Surrey."  
• John Palmer reads the Epistle
• The preacher, the Reverend Stephen Rowe took a section of the Epistle for his focus, Romans 12: 9-12.
• Following the sermon, Archdeacon Engnan begins the Covenant in Ministry.
• Chancel entrance view as the Covenant in Ministry begins - wardens, rector, bishop and regional archdeacon.
• Following the presentation of the Ewer of Water by Heather Herd, the new rector fills the font.
• Receiving the Communion elements from Kelly Foulds.  
• Intercessor, Janette Bulkan.  
• The Sanctuary Party: The Venerable Luisito Engnan, Regional Archdeacon (Fraser) who filled in for the Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Philippa Pride who was under the weather; the Reverend Steve Thompson, Deacon of the Word and Table; the new rector, the Reverend Robin Ruder Celiz; Bishop John Stephens; The Reverend Stephen Rowe, Preacher and Regional Dean of Peace Arch.

Photos Randy Murray except where noted