Diocesan Council

I am currently in my fourth year of ministry as the incumbent of Holy Trinity North Saanich. I have been a member of Diocesen Council for the past year. I enjoy the process of discernment, that is seeking wisdom for the decisions the council need to make regarding our resources, canons, guidelines and regulations. I believe that in all the needs, changes, and transitions we are experiencing there is a whisper of the Holy Spirit to hear and listen for. I believe listening well together is the key to imagining new ministries and supporting them. There is room for growth and development in our Diocese! I love working with a team of people who are hopeful and willing to take the risks of faith required to move us into the future God is calling us into.

My name is Don Wilson. I am a member of the two-church Parish of Central Saanich: St. Stephen and St. Mary. My wife Susie and I are members of the St Stephen congregation (I represent St. Stephen on Parish Council) though we worship at St. Mary (it has the earlier service ). 

I prayerfully ask to be considered for election to the position of Lay representative on Diocesan Council, Region Western, Peninsula and Gulf Islands. 

My guiding Christian Spirituality is Ignatian, ie. Jesuit, whose fundamental belief is “to find and see Jesus/God in all things”. My guiding principle, as St. Paul states in 1 Cor. 3:16 is “the Spirit of God dwells within and amongst you”. My prayerful endeavor each day is to find Jesus in all that I encounter and to reveal him to all whom I meet. 

Committed to Church leadership. I have been Warden of St. Stephen and Brentwood Chapel, Synod Rep of St. Stephen, Brentwood Chapel and Parish of Central Saanich. Representing our Diocese at National Synod in 2013 and 2016. I was elected to Council of General Synod for the term 2013/2016, thus served on Diocesan Council. 

Outreach is my heart: I spearheaded, for example Friends of Mengo, PWRDF (now Alongside Hope), and local Foodbank initiatives. I am committed to Truth and Reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours and served on the Diocesan Committee for Truth and Reconciliation. 

I would welcome the opportunity to help with Bishop Anna’s vision to shape our Diocese for our Post-Covid future.

I am Ron M Weeks here and wish to be nominated for a position on diocesan council for synod 2026. 

As a long time Anglican laity leadership role example both in Esquimalt and Gulf islands parish life I have both liturgical and parish program development experiences in the role of guidance of ministry and outreach mentorship. I am a graduate of pastoral care for disabled individuals and a resident in a remote rural area where laity are more vital than ever. 

I am putting my name forward to be a member of diocesan council because I enjoy being part of the decision-making process and I love the collegiality found while doing this type of work. I arrived in the Diocese of Islands & Inlets in August 2025. In the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, I was on diocesan council as a lay person, as a transitional deacon, and as a priest. I was elected to the Executive Committee from 2022-2024. I attended Provincial Synod twice and General Synod once. I was the Diocese of Rupert’s Land representative on the Provincial Executive from 2021-2025. I was also part of the National Chaplain’s Network (now defunct), the planning team for three Anglican-Lutheran clergy conferences, and the chair of the Joint Anglican and Lutheran Committee for 2SLGBTQ+ Education, Advocacy, and Policy (now defunct). 

I look forward to the opportunity of being part of the leadership within the Diocese of Island & Inlets. I see being on Diocesan Council as an opportunity to learn about the processes that take place within this diocese, as well as bringing a transgender voice to the table. Having a position on Diocesan Council will hopefully help me to work at making our church a safer place for the queer community within our diocese. 

Beyond church activities, I love to read and learn. My to-read lists and piles are never-ending. I am taking classes at the College of Emmanual & St Chad, working towards a master’s in theological studies. 

Cory Herrera has had the privilege of serving on Diocesan Council since Synod 2024. She hopes to put that learning and experience to further service on Diocesan Council in the coming term. Cory has worshipped at St. Matthias for about 25 years. She’s served on Parish Council most of the time since 2009; beginning in 2013, she’s served (again, most of the time) as People’s Warden or Deputy Rector’s Warden; she’s also been a Diocesan Synod representative. A believer in succession planning, she looks forward to retiring as Warden and welcoming a new leader at the next parish Vestry. 

Cory is a retired public servant and experienced non-profit Board member. Not an economist or finance expert, she dealt with economic and financial issues in both professional and volunteer work. Not legally trained, her career instilled appreciation and love for legal issues, particularly in Indigenous relations and reconciliation. Cory has deep and broad leadership experience in major projects in all these settings (e.g., treaty negotiations, finding a new home for Discovery School, strategic planning on the Board of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island). She brings energy, collaboration, and generosity to both secular and ecclesiastical challenges. Cory sees her faith as the wellspring of her commitment to service. She treasures the Anglican embrace of the gifts of scripture, tradition and reason. 

I was born in Calgary but moved with my family to Courtenay in 1967. I attended the University of Victoria, graduating in 1977, and returned to Courtenay several years later, where I met David, my husband of 45 years. We moved around BC frequently because of our work before eventually settling back in Courtenay. We have two grown daughters, two grandchildren, and two cats. 

Shortly after retiring, I became more involved at St John the Divine, Courtenay, serving in almost every possible lay role except singing in the choir! In 2015/16, I began to discern a call to the diaconate and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Anna in 2021. 

My diaconal ministry includes street outreach, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, and leading a team that runs our parish free store. I also serve as treasurer on the boards of the Sonshine Lunch Club and the Comox Valley Community Justice Centre. 

I currently represent the North Island clergy on Diocesan Council and serve on the Diocesan Finance and Investment Committees. 

I am a cradle Anglican who loves our liturgy and traditions. I believe we are all called to ministry through our baptism and that, guided by the Holy Spirit, our Church can grow and thrive. 

While I may have only been clergy for 4 years, I first served on Diocesan Council as a youth delegate at age 17 and have done so a few times since. Now as priest in the diocese and Dean of the North Island Region, I would once again welcome the opportunity to be part of the “synod between synods.”  

In this role I would strive to bring the unique challenges and joys of ministry in the northern parts of our diocese to the table, while also honouring the work done in our collective past over the last 20+ years. Having grown up as an active part of our diocese, I bring a deep understanding of the roots that have held us together over the years and know the importance of bringing information back to our church communities to ensure all are informed an included.  

I look forward to being able to be part of the ongoing leadership as we dream and imagine a bright future together as the diocese of Islands and Inlets.