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Many thanks to those folks who sent in photos or let diocesan communications know about worship and events that involved gatherings at parishes around the diocese from June 27 to July 11.

June 24, 2021, Bishop John Stephens made the trip to Powell River to spend an extended weekend with the lay and clergy leaders at the Parish of St. David and St. Paul. Jeanette Wiley took some photos of Bishop John, clergy and a nave POV shot during the Sunday morning worship where a number of parishioners were onsite. And what would an Anglican Church service be without at least a couple of technical difficulties. At Powell River the audio was not behaving quite as it should which prompted the following expression from the bishop:

 

A posed photo in the chancel of St. David and St. Paul, Sunday, June 27. On the far right we see the newest Anglican clergy person in Powell River, the Reverend Lucy Price.

The Reverend Alecia Greenfield celebrated Holy Eucharist with Baptism and Renewal of Baptismal Vows outside the church building at Holy Cross in East Vancouver. Two dozen parishioners including baptismal candidate, Atsumi were present and so was Jasper the church dog who was welcomed into the community.

Atsumi reads the Baptismal Vows

Jasper the Church Dog is welcomed to Holy Cross

While Jasper was being feted in East Vancouver, the Reverend Cameron Gutjahr, Rector of St. John’s, Squamish was gearing up for the first ever Anglican Bike Blessing of his incumbency in the parking lot of the Garibaldi Highlands parish. Three cyclists and a worshipper who uses a walker were on hand for the first blessing, which involved a brief liturgy culminating in a blessing complete with asperges (a holy water-soaked cedar bough sprinkling the objects and people being blessed).  Later, individual cyclists showed up and participated in the liturgy of blessing.

The Reverend Donald Lawton is given a copy of the liturgy
Blessing of the bike and rider.

Onsite worship returned to St. John’s, Shaughnessy in a big way on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 11, 2021, with the return of their former rector and now their bishop, the Right Reverend John Stephens. There were more than 50 worshippers onsite for the liturgy which followed the new COVID guidelines circulated by Bishop John on the previous Monday, July 5.

  • It is strongly encouraged that masks be worn upon entry to the church and kept on for the entirety of the liturgy.
  • Greeters/welcomers should wear masks.
  • Anyone speaking or leading singing can remove their mask for this role.
  • People should be encouraged to still distance from one another (unless from the same household)
  • Prior to receiving Communion, individuals should sanitize their hands.
  • A choir leading the music in worship is permitted.
  •  Congregational singing is permitted.
  • It is no longer necessary to pre-register or collect contact tracing information for those attending worship.
  • Washrooms no longer need to be designated “for emergency only”
  • Social times before or after worship are permitted, however, please ensure that those handling food/beverages have sanitized their hands.

There were a number of highlights of Bishop John’s return to SJS:

  • the bishop’s sermon;
  • SJS choir leading the music in worship with congregational singing;
  • worship was concluded with piper, Owen Reid entering the nave after Deacon, the Reverend Pitman Potter’s dismissal to begin the bagpipe and organ duet, “Highland Cathedral” and then leading the  crucifer and bishop back up to the chancel joining organist and director of music, Michael Dirk;
  • a post worship reception with chocolate cake;
  • a whiffle ball game.

PHOTOS

In the top scroll: 

  • Atsumi pours water into the font for baptism at Holy Cross, July 4.
  • In Powell River, Bishop John poses with Deacon, the Reverend Taras Pakholchuk and his family.
  • Blessing of the bikes at St. John's, Squamish.
  • Piper Owen Reid in place to begin "Highland Cathedral"

IMAGES

Thanks to Jeanette Wiley from St. David and St. Paul 
Thanks to Tadafumi Tamura for the Holy Cross photos and also to Midori Seo, ODNW for the photo of Atsumi pouring the holy water into the font. 
Thanks to Derek Simpkins and Michael Dirk for the July 11, SJS photos.
 

 

 

 

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