Monday, May 9th, 2011 at Christ Church Cathedral
The Reverend Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Principal and Dean of VST began her report by playfully remarking that many of the students being recognized that evening have been working on their programs longer than they thought they would. A unifying virtue of the 2011 group is “endurance” which is quite fitting as they are the 40th Anniversary class. She then quipped that no graduate present that evening had taken 40 years to complete their program.
She reminded the group gathered in Christ Church Cathedral that two institutions “gave themselves over to death” in order to give birth to a new institution –"The future is always built on the back of change." Dr. Fletcher went on to point out that these 22 recipients of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees are the most diverse group ever to graduate from VST and that each one of them will embark or continue their unique ministries all around the globe.
One of the first items of business following Dr. Fletcher’s report was the installation of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Elliott, Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral as VST Chancellor by VST Board of Governor’s Chair, Dr. Helen Clarke.
Dean Elliott’s installation in this new addition to his ministry came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of his ordination as Priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. Following his installation Dean Elliott presided over the Awarding of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees.
There were many highlights and memorable moments in the two hour ceremony.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Convocation Address given by Timothy Scorer, a former program staff and management team member at the United Church of Canada’s Naramata Centre and currently Minister of Adult Education at St. Andrew’s – Wesley United Church in Downtown Vancouver, and the retired Bishop of British Columbia, the Right Reverend Barry Jenks (Bishop Barry graduated with a Diploma in Theology from the Anglican Theological College one of VST’s founding institutions in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood later that year at Christ Church Cathedral). Both Tim and Bishop Barry received Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees later during the Convocation. The topic given to them by Dr. Fletcher was “What We Have Learned About How to Journey From Here.”
In their presentation they took turns speaking, going back and forth with Bishop Barry taking more the role of “preacher” and Tim’s comments perhaps slightly more professorial and philosophical.
Bishop Barry began his comments by saying that for most of us, God is not what is written on a bumper sticker. God is not the one who is only up there..., God is not present just to meet us when we die. God did not abandon his creation. God is not absent from life, God is present with us in creation. God is “an unfolding, evolving mystery” that we discover more and more.
Tim began his first section by indentifying himself as the grandfather of four children ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years. His next observation elicited a ripple of giggles from the congregation when he said that at his current age of 67 “both God and I have changed.”
The Reverend William Ferrey received a Master of Divinity that evening. He was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in the Diocese of BC just the day before in Victoria where he has begun his curacy. Reverend Ferrey received three honours: the "top student" award which is The Chown Memorial Prize in Divinity for distinction in the Master of Divinity program, The Daniel McPherson Scholarship for excellence in the graduating year and shared The Reverend George and Mabel Fallis Prize for excellence in Pastoral Theology with one other student.
Another highlight of the evening was his short speech of thanks. Will’s address was gracious, wise, extremely funny and to the point.
After the 22 graduates received their Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees, it was time for the bestowing of the Honourary Doctor of Divinity Degrees. The Venerable Ronald Harrison presented the Citation for Bishop Barry Jenks and Dr. Louise Rolston presented the Citation for Timothy Scorer. It was an inspiration to listen to the accomplishments in ministry achieved by Tim and Bishop Barry in the course of the pursuit of their vocations.
During the next 40 years, the 2011 recipients of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees from VST will continue this tradition and each of the 22 graduates will make their own mark as they work through their ministry to further God’s mission in the world.
The Reverend Dr. Wendy Fletcher, Principal and Dean of VST began her report by playfully remarking that many of the students being recognized that evening have been working on their programs longer than they thought they would. A unifying virtue of the 2011 group is “endurance” which is quite fitting as they are the 40th Anniversary class. She then quipped that no graduate present that evening had taken 40 years to complete their program.
She reminded the group gathered in Christ Church Cathedral that two institutions “gave themselves over to death” in order to give birth to a new institution –"The future is always built on the back of change." Dr. Fletcher went on to point out that these 22 recipients of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees are the most diverse group ever to graduate from VST and that each one of them will embark or continue their unique ministries all around the globe.
One of the first items of business following Dr. Fletcher’s report was the installation of the Very Reverend Dr. Peter Elliott, Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral as VST Chancellor by VST Board of Governor’s Chair, Dr. Helen Clarke.
Dean Elliott’s installation in this new addition to his ministry came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of his ordination as Priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. Following his installation Dean Elliott presided over the Awarding of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees.
There were many highlights and memorable moments in the two hour ceremony.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Convocation Address given by Timothy Scorer, a former program staff and management team member at the United Church of Canada’s Naramata Centre and currently Minister of Adult Education at St. Andrew’s – Wesley United Church in Downtown Vancouver, and the retired Bishop of British Columbia, the Right Reverend Barry Jenks (Bishop Barry graduated with a Diploma in Theology from the Anglican Theological College one of VST’s founding institutions in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood later that year at Christ Church Cathedral). Both Tim and Bishop Barry received Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees later during the Convocation. The topic given to them by Dr. Fletcher was “What We Have Learned About How to Journey From Here.”
In their presentation they took turns speaking, going back and forth with Bishop Barry taking more the role of “preacher” and Tim’s comments perhaps slightly more professorial and philosophical.
Bishop Barry began his comments by saying that for most of us, God is not what is written on a bumper sticker. God is not the one who is only up there..., God is not present just to meet us when we die. God did not abandon his creation. God is not absent from life, God is present with us in creation. God is “an unfolding, evolving mystery” that we discover more and more.
Tim began his first section by indentifying himself as the grandfather of four children ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years. His next observation elicited a ripple of giggles from the congregation when he said that at his current age of 67 “both God and I have changed.”
The Reverend William Ferrey received a Master of Divinity that evening. He was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in the Diocese of BC just the day before in Victoria where he has begun his curacy. Reverend Ferrey received three honours: the "top student" award which is The Chown Memorial Prize in Divinity for distinction in the Master of Divinity program, The Daniel McPherson Scholarship for excellence in the graduating year and shared The Reverend George and Mabel Fallis Prize for excellence in Pastoral Theology with one other student.
Another highlight of the evening was his short speech of thanks. Will’s address was gracious, wise, extremely funny and to the point.
After the 22 graduates received their Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees, it was time for the bestowing of the Honourary Doctor of Divinity Degrees. The Venerable Ronald Harrison presented the Citation for Bishop Barry Jenks and Dr. Louise Rolston presented the Citation for Timothy Scorer. It was an inspiration to listen to the accomplishments in ministry achieved by Tim and Bishop Barry in the course of the pursuit of their vocations.
During the next 40 years, the 2011 recipients of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees from VST will continue this tradition and each of the 22 graduates will make their own mark as they work through their ministry to further God’s mission in the world.
Images: Top left, Dr. Helen Clarke installs Dean Peter Elliott as Chancellor of VST. Middle right, Bishop Barry Jenks aknowledges the applause after receiving Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa). Below: The new VST Chancellor receives his mortar board.