The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz was at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, 4pm, Sunday , November 10th, 2013, to participate in the 5th Annual Investiture of New Members to the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster and to preach at the Eucharist liturgy which serves as platform and context for the investiture ceremony.
Dean Peter Elliott's welcome message in the Order of Service bulletin provided an overview of the ODNW Eucharist; he wrote,"This is our time to recognize and celebrate the commitment of the members of the laity of our diocese to the mission to which we are called as followers of Jesus. In parish after parish and year after year, the work of God is faithfully carried out with creativity, commitment and energy."
By 3:30pm, a full half hour before the commencement of worship, the nave of the Cathedral had filled to near capacity. By 3:50, the Cathedral's team of 6 experienced Greeters were pacing up and down the aisles of the church seeking empty seats for the many who were continuing to arrive at the downtown church. At 3:55, the Cathedral’s deacon, the Reverend Alisdair Smith, not yet vested, began his role early as Liturgical MC by addressing the capacity congregation. In an entertaining and positive appeal he asked that the congregation please stay well clear of the photographer, the building staff and the photographer’s ladder after dismissal to facilitate the taking of the official Class of 2013 ODNW photo.
The service started right on time with the procession and the now traditional singing of the Taize hymn, Laudate Dominum. Dean Peter Elliott presided at the Eucharist and upon arrival at the Altar with the Worship Leaders he said the Collect. The First Reading, Revelation 21:1-6a was offered by current ACW President and St. George’s, Fort Langley Parishioner, Sheila Puls. Approximately 30 minutes later Sheila would be invested into the ODNW.Archbishop Fred Hiltz began his sermon by saying how delighted he was to accept the hospitality of Christ Church Cathedral and the Diocese of New Westminster. He was unashamed to say that the Cathedral is one of his “favourite places” and he thanked the Dean and Administrator of the Diocese, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott for affording him the opportunity to be with the diocesan community. He continued, making reference to that which was very much on the minds of many in our diocese, the upcoming Episcopal Election. He said that “the Spirit will be public” and then he went on to say “one way to think about an episcopal election is that the Spirit hovers over the church until it lights on one among us to be our episcopal leader.” Continuing into the main message of his homily he made reference to the Apostles Creed at the point when we say “We believe in the Communion of Saints”, which is really saying that we are “one in Christ.” We are one in Christ in: his nativity, his proclaiming of God’s reign on earth, his death, his resurrection and his coming again in glory. The Archbishop then led the congregation on an exploration of the three dimensions of the Community of Saints, past, present and future.
During his focus on the second dimension, the Archbishop made reference to the Gospel read earlier, Matthew 5: 1-12 , the Beatitudes and shared the thoughts of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams who said “let the Beatitudes be an image of our common life in Christ. That is indeed a tall order, it is full of challenge but it is also full of grace.” Grace that is exhibited by those about to be invested into the ODNW, people who inspire us to work for “what is good and just and righteous. And today we honour members of the diocese who have given extraordinary service. These are people that threw open the doors and said ‘All are Welcome!’ and meant it.”He concluded his reflection on the three dimensions of the Community of Saints saying, “We remember our heritage in the Lord, we look around and recognize fellow travelers and we look to the future.”
After the sermon, the Warden of the Order, Judge Robert Watt took his place at the Ambo to read the Citations prepared by the Reverend Eileen Nurse, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, based on the material she received from those who had nominated the new members. Judge Watt was joined by the Reverend Alisdair Smith who helped the nominees approach the chancel platform where they were then greeted by the Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Venerable Douglas Fenton. Archdeacon Fenton assisted by Sacristan, Vincent Carey carefully placed the ribbon and medallion around the neck of each new member of the ODNW. Newly invested members then proceeded to the centre of the chancel platform to be congratulated by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, briefly pose for their official photograph and then moved to the east side of the chancel where they received a certificate copy of the ODNW and the congratulations of the Very Reverend Peter Elliott and the Reverend Eileen Nurse. For 2013, there were 48 new members and 45 of them were present to receive the honour in person. The other three will receive the ODNW at ceremonies later in the year or early next year either at their place of residence or at their home parishes.At the conclusion of the ceremony there was a lengthy passing of “The Peace” and then the focal point of our spiritual practice as a Eucharistic people , the sharing of the Lord’s Supper.
The January, 2014 issue of Topic, the monthly publication of the diocese delivered to homes as a section of the Anglican Journal will contain full coverage of the November 10th, 2013, event with photos by Wayne Chose and a full print-out of the Citations. Also, each recipient of the ODNW will receive a copy of their official photo with the Archbishop and a copy of the 2013 ODNW Group Photograph by mid-December 2013.Images: Top and homepage, Archbishop Fred Hiltz waits at the centre of the chancel platform to greet the new members of the ODNW. Upper right, the nave is filled to capacity by 3:30pm. Upper left, the Reverend Alisdair Smith speaks to the congregation about staying clear of the photographer’s ladder. Middle right, Sheila Puls, ODNW, President of the diocesan Anglican Church Women (ACW) reads Revelations 21: 1-6a. Middle left, Archbishop Fred Hiltz preaching. Lower right, Warden of the Order, Judge Robert Watt prepares to read the Citations. Lower left Janet Morris, ODNW of St. Catherine’s, Capilano is greeted by Archbishop Fred Hiltz and they pose for her official photograph. Bottom right, Mike Roberts, ODNW of St. Thomas, East Vancouver with Archbishop Fred Hiltz. Below, the Official ODNW 2013 photo by Wayne Chose. (All other PHOTOS: Randy Murray)