“We Look to the Future and to New Possibilities”
Those of you who regularly follow diocesan communications are likely aware that the Parish of St. Martin, North Vancouver voted to close at a Special Vestry Meeting held in the late winter of 2022. The parish had been invited to merge with the Parish of St. John the Evangelist located about 5 kilometres south and west of their Upper Lonsdale location. As both parishes were keen to see this happen, the last few months have involved the groundwork around the merger taking place. There are several legal steps that need to be taken involving the wardens of the parishes, and diocesan leadership including the legal officers. Those details should be completed this year. Mergers are about legal details but more than that they are about the uniting of two communities and their new life together in a new expression of the Body of Christ in North Vancouver. With that in mind a Welcome Lunch was held in the parish hall at St. John’s on October 1st.
There were about 40 people gathered, including Bishop John Stephens and the outgoing priest-in-charge of St. Martin’s the Reverend Mark Munn. Rector of St. John’s, the Reverend Patrick Blaney, wardens, and other members of the parish made the St. Martin’s folks very welcome. A feature of the lunch was a table of ‘door prizes’ that included painted prayer rocks created by St. John’s Choir Director, Christie Smith. There were also ‘goodie bags’ containing small gifts; stationary, chocolates, pens and more.
In his address to the group gathered for the lunch Bishop John shared these words:
“This past summer I attended the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England. The Lambeth Conference is for all of the bishops of the world-wide Anglican Church, the Anglican Communion, so there were about 650 of us. Many things were part of the discussions at Lambeth but one of the joys was meeting bishops from all over the world. There were many things that I learned but one was that in many places the Anglican Church is growing. Here in North America, we might think that the Anglican Church is only shrinking but in many parts of the Communion that is not the case. It was good to meet with bishops in places wither the church is growing and hear their thoughts about the future.
Just two weeks ago I returned from a visit to our partner diocese in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP). I was there, along with a delegation from our diocese, to attend the consecration of their new bishop, Benny. It was a fabulous experience. While there, we toured many parts of the diocese and learned that it is growing rapidly. Despite a pandemic and a changing world, they are building many new churches or expanding others. The church has a major impact on society there and holds a position of honour. Once again it was good to witness a place where the church is not shrinking.
The Christian Church is not dying. We need to hear this. We also need to learn from those places where it is growing and discover more about church planting, new models of ministry and evangelism.
This is a difficult time for St. Martin’s, but I am delighted with the work that you have done in terms of merging with St. John’s. Merging is always difficult work as the new church will not be the same as the old church. And the same is true for St. John’s, as new people join, the church will feel different.
But this is an exciting time as we look to the future and new possibilities for the merger of St. Martin’s and St. John’s. By joining you have created new ministry potential, and this is a good thing.
Please know of my prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead as you determine what the future will hold for you together.”
Since the intent to merge became a reality in the Spring of 2022, the two parishes have participated in Sunday worship together. When asked to share his thoughts about the process now underway, the Reverend Patrick Blaney shared these words from the sermon he’d preached the second time the two parishes had gathered for worship earlier this year.
"There are so very many things I would like to share with you this our second Sunday together but the most important I think is this: I am more excited, honoured, energized, thankful – and did I say excited – to be your priest as we begin to merge our two communities together. It is for me as much a huge responsibility as it is a wonderful challenge and a privilege. I hope you don’t think I am too old school in this, but as I stated to St John’s when I first came here ten years ago, I consider you all to be my flock. Your pastoral and spiritual wellbeing are of utmost importance to me, and as long as I am around my office door, my phone and my email and my heart will always be open to you. And I also promise to you that I know God gave us two ears and one mouth and that I appreciate the importance of that ratio”.
It was a blessing to have diocesan photographer Wayne Chose available to attend and take some photos.
IMAGES
- St. John's warden, Yasmin, and rector, the Reverend Patrick Blaney welcome the luncheon guests
- Outgoing priest-in-charge of St. Martin's and the Rev. Blaney
- Sandwiches are served
- The bishop says "yes, I'll have some coleslaw"
- New friendships are made.
- Bishop John addresses the group
In the body copy:
- The 'door prize' table
- A view of the parish hall during the lunch