It's been some time since I've sent out a regular e-news. The last one, in fact, was January 30. In that issue the lead story was the following diocesan Coronavirus message: "It is important at this time to be aware of the situation as it develops, but not to become overly alarmed or panicked. Indeed, throughout history the church has been an agent of calm, reassurance and compassion during times of uncertainty." 

Well, it's been almost five months since then and we are now considering a slow return to our church buildings after a forced lock-down turned the world as we know it upside down. And, by faith, throughout this time we have been agents of calm, reassurance and compassion. We have reached out and reached in for the resources needed to get through this first pandemic wave, together. So, thank you! 

Now is not the time for complacency, but it is perhaps a time to exhale a little. To rest. To take a break and maybe even go on that long-overdue (stay)cation. The fall is around the corner, and with it will come the return to school, work and church community life (albeit in limited waya). If we don't store up our reserves over these next two months, we will find ourselves at risk of being unable to meet our obiigations and unable to be the light we are called to be. So, be kind to yourselves, your parish leadership and each other this summer.

Here is a look at some events that have taken place, resources for reopening parishes, some changes to the Diocesan Post, a look ahead to our upcoming episcopal election and more... 

Catherine Pate
Diocesan communications

As our province continues to loosen restrictions on public gatherings, including gatherings of faith communities, diocesan leadership has developed guidelines to assist parishes in making the necessary arrangement to reopen as early as July 12. Your parish leadership has already received these guidelines and are hard at work developing a plan that's right for your context. 

At it's May meeting, diocesan council voted to proceed with an electoral synod (online) on September 26, 2020. This section of the website is dedicated to providing synod delegates, nominators and potential candidates everything they need to participate in this process. Even if you aren't a synod delegate, visit this section of the website regularly over the coming months to stay informed.

The June issue of the Diocesan Post was the last print version produced until December 2020, when we will publish a special Advent/Christmas print issue. We are shifting our focus online in order to bring up-to-date news and information about the electoral transition. With two-month lead time required for national print production deadlines, too much news and information will be lost if we maintain the regular schedule. 

You are already receiving these emails, so there is nothing you need to do to receive your September-November Diocesan Post content. It will come directly to your inbox, just as this e-news does. A downloadable PDF will be available the middle of each month and web-exclusive content will be on the diocesan website throughout the fall months. Diocesan Post subscribers will receive further information directly later in July to make sure no one gets left behind.

The annual Amazing Journey Day Camp will be online this year!  Lots of our camp traditions will be happening in new and fun ways: games, crafts, music, and Bible stories! The program is for children who have completed Grades 1 to 5.  This online morning program will be held July 6 to July 10 from 10 - 11 am. It will include an on-screen large gathering, familiar small group break-outs, and fun individual challenges. Click on the link below to view the promotional video.

On the Feast of Holy Trinity (Sunday, June 7, 2020), the Rev. Cindy Corrigan was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Lynne McNaughton in the diocese of Kootenay. The service was held at All Saints Church in Vernon, BC and included just six people in physical attendance, but others participated by Zoom. Bishop McNaughton presided over the service and the sermon was given by the Rev. Chris Harwood Jones, incumbent of the hosting parish.   Cindy was presented by the Venerable Trevor Freeman and the Reverend Susan Hermanson. Bishop James Cowan, retired bishop of the diocese of British Columbia and current incumbent at St James, Armstrong and St John the Divine, Salmon Arm was also in attendance. Bishop Cowan ordained Cindy to the diaconate in Fernie, BC, on July 25, 2018, so Cindy was thrilled that he was able to be present for the occasion.

At his synod office retirement party held on April 30, 2020 Bishop Logan McMenamie, for the third time of his episcopacy, awarded synod finance officer, Gail Gauthier with his bishop's recognition pin for outstanding service to the episcopate (previous recipients included Imelda Secker and Sue House). Gail has served in the role of finance officer since the fall of 2015, bringing with her, from private practice as a CGA, a commitment to excellence and client service. The bishop selected Gail for this honour because of the ways in which she has consistently gone above and beyond to assist the bishop in operationalizing the diocesan vision as part of our ongoing way of doing business. 

What a time to be alive—I have used this turn of phrase in the past when looking at the unique challenges we face in the hopes to be faithful to the call we have received as people and as a church. Challenges like the climate crisis, social polarization, income disparity between the ultra rich and the poor, the consumptive formation of our society, and I could go on and on. And then COVID-19.  

On June 5, 2020 diocesan vision animator, Brendon Neilson and his partner, Melanie (Mel) celebrated the healthy birth of their daughter, Remy. The synod staff welcomes Remy into the diocesan family of faith and we look forward to the time when we will be able to welcome her in person.  Blessings to the Neilson family!

"I see so many people with white skin having strong reactions to images of looting and property damage but relatively muted responses to the systemic violence that those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) face every day."

by Elizabeth Barnard - St George, Cadboro Bay