Welcome!
We hope that you will find the information about our Diocese useful and that you will find some helpful resources for ministry. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have.
Our Diocesan Mission & Vision statements.
Please email us your thoughts and comments.
In the News...
A Royal Visit...
Victoria, BC ~ The Very Reverend Dr. Logan McMenamie ~ Dean of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Victoria, BC advises that Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales & the Duchess of Cornwall will be in attendance on Remembrance Sunday and all parishioners and visitors will require a ticket for admittance to the service.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
November 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL
New Sermons from The Reverend Dr. Gary Nicolosi... more
Sisters of St. John the Divine...
Check out their upcoming events here or view their whole calendar here.
Bishop Cowan on CBC Radio...
Bishop James Cowan spoke with Gregor Craigie, Host of 'On the Island' Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 ... Click here to listen to the interview (runs 8:16)
NEWS RELEASE ~ Anglican Diocese of BC to begin restructuring...
Victoria, BC ~ The Anglican Diocese of BC (Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands) has been undertaking a transformation over the last five years to re-energize and refocus how it provides ministry, spiritual guidance and support and these discussions are moving forward in earnest with actions ... more
2010 Diocesan Synod...
"At the request of Bishop Cowan, Diocesan Council set the date for our 2010 diocesan Synod, namely, March 5th, 6th and 7th. Please share this email with your Wardens and mark these dates in your calendars.
The early date was chosen so that our elected delegates attending General Synod early in June 2010 will have time to make travel arrangements and to read and reflect on the materials they will receive.
This leaves you with three choices in holding your annual vestry meeting:
1. Keep the delegates you elected early this year; or
2. Hold a quick 15-minute vestry meeting in January to elect new delegates to attend the diocesan Synod; or
3. Hold your vestry meeting in January to elect delegates for the upcoming diocesan Synod with sufficient time to complete and send in your Parish Annual Returns."
Bishop's Announcements of celebrations & people on the move...
"Please hold the following individuals, their families, their parish families and myselft in prayer during these times of transition." ~ + James
~ With pleasure I write to inform you that the Reverend Lincoln McKoen has accepted my appointment of him to be the next Incumbent of the Parishes of Christ Church, Alert Bay and St. Olaf, Quatsino. The effective date of his appointment is February 1st, 2010. Lincoln, who comes to us from St. Peter's Anglican Church in the Diocese of Toronto, is married to Tanya."
~ The Bishop sadly announces that The Right Reverend Barry Valentine (former Coadjutor Bishop and Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Rupert's Land) died this morning on Salt Spring Island. A service will be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints, 110 Park Drive, Salt Spring Island. Please remember his wife, Carolyn Evans, and their children in your prayers.
~ NEW METROLPOLITAN... The Bishop is very pleased to announce the election of the new metropolitan, John Privett, who takes office on Sunday, September 27th, 2009.
~ I am delighted to inform you that The Reverend Susan Hayward-Brown has accepted my appointment of her to become the Incumbent (half time) of the Parish of St. Martin, Gabriola Island, effective September 1st, 2009. Please remember Susan, her family, one another and me during this time of transition.
~ I write to let you know that I have accepted the resignation of The Reverend John Macquarrie as Rector at St. Peter, Lakehill, effective October 31st, 2009; and With pleasure I wish to inform you that the Reverend John Macquarrie has accepted my appointment of him to be the next Incumbent of St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay. This appointment is effective November 1st, 2009. Please remember John and Judy, the members of the parishes, and myself in your prayers during this time of transition.
~ I am pleased to announce that The Reverend Ted Celiz has accepted my appointment of him to be the next Incumbent (1/2 time) of Parish of the Pender and Saturna Islands, effective September 1st, 2009. Mr. Celiz currently resides in Vancouver and will for the time being commute to the Islands.
~ I am pleased to make the following announcements ... First ... The Reverend E. Fussell, finding retirement not to be what she thought it would, has come out of retirement! Effective immediately she will serve as Deacon at St. Peter, Campbell River as she explores with them and with others ideas about a regional ministry ... and Second ... Marion Little, the Executive Director of Threshold Housing Society, has accepted my appointment of her as Canon Pastor for the administration of our "Policy Regarding the Investigation of and Response to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct" for a 3-year term. This appointment takes effect on September 1st, 2009.
~ "It is with delight that I inform you that the Venerable Dale Huston has accepted my appointment of him to be the Territorial Archdeacon for the Region of Cowichan. The appointment is effective June 25th, 2009. Please keep Dale in your prayers as he takes up this work on our behalf."
~ "It is with delight that I inform you that the Reverend Daniel Fournier has accepted my appointment of him to be the next Incumbent of St. John the Evangelist, Ladysmith. The effective date of this appointment is September 1st, 2009.
~ It is with regret that I have accepted the resignation of the Reverend Ralph Blackman as Incumbent of St. George the Martyr, effective September 7th, 2009. Ralph has resigned in
order to accept the appointment of Incumbent of the Parish of St. George, Guelph, Ontario (Diocese of Niagara)."
~ I have accepted the resignation of The Reverend Canon Susanne House as Rector of St. Mary Oak Bay. The effective date of this resignation is August 31st, 2009; and it is my delight to concur in the appointment of The Reverend Canon Susanne House to the position of Priest Associate at Christ Church Cathedral. This appointment will take effect September 1st, 2009.
A bishop and his campaign for the poor...
The Right Reverend Colin Johnson of the Anglican Toronto diocese leads by example. Dinners in the Johnson household have always been noisy affairs, full of debates about God or curfew time for the kids. But they begin in silence. Complete silence.
"My wife is a Quaker," explains Toronto Anglican Bishop Colin Johnson of his spouse, Ellen. "She was, and still is, an active member of the Society of Friends." ... read the article from March 8th's Toronto Star in it's entirety ... more
Primate Fred Hiltz discusses...
What makes a group of bishops a House? ~ Watch the Video
It's because they meet as a family - as brothers and sisters in Christ - says Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate, in a new webcast recorded from Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont., where bishops met April 14 - 18... more