Jim Holland: This past Sunday marked Jim’s last Sunday as Incumbent of St Peter, Quamichan. We invite you to join us in wishing him a happy and fulfilling next chapter. We are deeply grateful for the years of faithful service and guidance Jim has shared with our community. May God bless him abundantly in his retirement and continue to guide him in all that lies ahead.

Jeanne Forte: This past Sunday marked Jeanne Forte’s last Sunday as Incumbent of St. Columba in Tofino. We want to express our heartfelt thanks for her leadership, including establishing the respite ministry and starting a vibrant Messy Church. Please join us in thanking Jeanne and wishing her many blessings in her retirement.  

Photo Credit: J.Abram Photography

Juli Mallett has been appointed Incumbent of the Parish of Salt Spring, effective March 1. As a result, she will be stepping down from her role at St. Andrew in Sidney. Juli will continue to serve in a part-time capacity, allowing her to balance her ministry with her counselling and psychotherapy work. We are deeply grateful for the love and dedication Juli has shared with the St. Andrews community, and we wish her every blessing as she embarks on this new chapter in her ministry at Salt Spring.

Photo Credit: J.Abram Photography

As February comes to a close, we remember and raise up the voices of Black Canadians, especially those who found their homes in our diocese while escaping slavery and continue to build new lives here through the Provincial Refugee Program.

A very timely discovery was made in one of our own parishes this month. Victoria News covered an inspiring story of Darleene Horrick's search for her great-grandmother's grave. Both Elizabeth Whims (1817-1870) and her daughter Maria (1856-1870) were found to rest at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Saanichton, part of the Parish of Central Saanich congregation. 

CLICK HERE to read and watch the Victoria News coverage.

We echo the Rev. Lon Towstego's words: "Anytime we can put a marker on a grave that hasn’t been marked and I very much say that with the First Nations folks in mind as well, with the unmarked graves, it's my prayer that one day we can mark every grave.”

To learn more about Black History Month, visit the federal site by CLICKING HERE.

Don't forget to register for the Diocesan Book Club! 
Four Thursdays from 12-1:15pm via Zoom in March

Our annual Wardens and Treasurers Day will take place on Saturday, March 22 from 10am to 3pm at St. Paul’s in Nanaimo. This event is designed for wardens and treasurers; however others in leadership at your parish who may benefit from these topics are welcome to attend. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Registration is required by March 3, 2025.

Click READ MORE for more information.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Roman Catholic program for 3 to 6 year olds that is a wonderful alternative to ‘Sunday School.’  It is a “…time-tested approach to faith formation. Rooted in the pedagogy of Maria Montessori, it feeds the deepest needs of children, allowing each one to get to know God personally. In a peaceful atmosphere, through the use of special materials designed just for them, children hear the Word proclaimed and grow in their relationship with God.”

A weeklong course is being offered in July in Duncan.  CLICK HERE for more information if you have young children in your parish or adults interested in being trained in how to offer this program.  

Anyone wishing to take the program could apply for funds from the Educational Trusts Committee to cover the $400 registration fee.

In the last several years, over 50 lay people have trained to lead worship in their parishes and have been taking an essential part in leading worship throughout the diocese. This year we are offering a workshop to offer an opportunity for these leaders to get together, continue learning about leading worship, and ask questions that have developed over their experience. 

To register, CLICK HERE.

The 2025 diocesan Women's Spring Retreat will take place on April 25-27 at Camp Pringle. The theme is "Still I Rise." The facilitator will be Rev. Jacqueline Stober, Senior Associate at Christ Church Cathedral, and the spiritual director will be Rev. Colleen Lissamer, rector of St Matthias, Victoria. 

To learn more about how to register, click READ MORE.

Diocesan-wide Confirmations will take place on May 4, 2024 at 4pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria.

Everyone who is to be Confirmed will need to be registered to attend. Please click on the READ MORE and then the REGISTER link to complete the form provided.

Join us for the John Albert Hall lecture series on April 26, 2025.

For more information and to register, click READ MORE.