July 28, 2026

The Ven. Nick Pang is the diocesan Commissary this week

Diocese Launches Ministry Plan Process

Dear Friends,

On Saturday, May 30, our Diocese gathered for a Mission Conference. The theme of the conference was “Moving in Mission, Guided by Spirit.”

During the conference, I spoke about the state of the diocese and how I see things at this point in our history. I noted that our Diocese was established in 1879, but in 1929 the see city moved from New Westminster to Vancouver. Only 50 years after the Diocese was formed, we made a significant shift to have our Cathedral in downtown Vancouver. We made this move for a variety of reasons, but it is important to note it was a response to the changing needs of the communities around us.

That decision reminds us that our diocese has always adapted and renewed the way we live out our Anglican faith in this part of British Columbia and Canada.

The same is true now. The world is changing around us, and we now seek to respond to this changing world. The Holy Spirit is still calling us forward and to be the Church of our times; responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ in 2026 and beyond. And we are doing this in a variety of ways in our growing Diocese as we see signs of new life in so many ways.

The video of the talk that I gave at the Mission Conference can be found here. I invite you to watch it and listen for where God might be inviting you and your parish (or other place of worship) to heed the call of the Holy Spirit and look to the future knowing that while our world changes, God and God’s love does not. Our mission is still to do the work of the gospel, but to do so in a way that makes sense in this time and place.

As you watch this video and engage in your own process of listening for God’s call, a group of people from the diocese and I are doing the same as part of a formal process of developing a Ministry Plan for our diocese. The goal is to identify where the Holy Spirit is calling us to bring God’s presence into the world, and in what way.

May you sense a new call of how the Church of our times might be the Body of Christ in this region of our province.

Blessings and Peace

+John

News

Important News: Street Outreach Initiative

Fr Matthew Johnson has decided to retire at the end of September after 22 years as Street Outreach Priest, attached to St. James’ Parish in the Diocese of New Westminster. Fr Matthew conceived and founded this unique ministry to the Downtown East Side and nurtured it for more than two decades with conviction, commitment and compassion.

Archbishop John Stephens and Mtr. Amanda Ruston, Rector of St. James, have published a letter outlining what will happen with this ministry during this time of transition.

Fr. Matthew's last Sunday at St. James will be September 27. There will be a celebration that day to give thanks for his ministry.

Read the full letter HERE.

VST Appoints New Anglican Formation Director

The Vancouver School of Theology is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Dr. Charles Meeks as Director of Anglican Formation, effective August 1, 2026.

The Rev. Dr. Charles Meeks comes to VST from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he serves as Ecumenical Chaplain. He is an ordained priest in the Diocese of Niagara.

As Director of Anglican Formation, Dr. Meeks will support the formation of Anglican students preparing for ordained and lay ministry.

Job Opening: Part-Time Treasurer, Church of the Epiphany

The Parish of The Church of The Epiphany, in the heart of the Guildford area of Surrey, is currently seeking a part-time treasurer.

Goals of the Position:

The treasurer will provide accounting and financial support to serve the needs of the Parish. The position is open and begins when an acceptable candidate is chosen.

Hours: Approximately 20 hours per month (providing an account of hours each month). The number of hours would vary and paid accordingly.

View full job description and application details HERE

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2026

August 4 - 6: "You are the Salt of the Earth," Diocese of Islands and Inlets Summer Retreat.
November 24-25: 50th Anniversary of the Priesting of Women. Registration open HERE. Hosted by Diocese of Island and Inlets.

FORMATION & SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Full event listing available here

The Diocesan Youth Movement is offering an amazing retreat away at Camp Artaban! Open to youth aged 12-18.

The theme is "Until All Are Fed." We will explore social justice and food security. We'll also enjoy camp activities like campfires, walks in the forest, beach and waterfront time, and worship in the outdoor chapel.

Start: Friday, August 28 4:30pm - water taxi from Horseshoe Bay to Gambier Island

End: Sunday, August 30, 3pm - water taxi from Gambier Island to Horseshoe Bay

Where: Camp Artaban, Gambier Island

Cost: 250/p.p (includes water taxi, all meals, and accommodation)

Questions? Bursary Info? Contact: youth@vancouver.anglican.ca (Lauren Odile Pinkeny, Missioner for Youth)

Register HERE.

Summer Youth Camps - Chilliwack

St. Thomas Summer Arts Camp “To Give Life a Shape” is an multi-faceted Arts exploration morning camp Facilitated by James Xavier Lam and guest Artists, “To Give Life a Shape” aims to provide a much needed third space for youth between the ages of 10 - 18 to come and explore their God given gifts of Creativity across a wide spectrum of Arts and Art based skills.

Broken up into two 1.5 hour sessions a day between 9am and 12pm, every day holds space for a different area of creativity, allowing time for youth to explore what they enjoy in new ways.

Details and Registration HERE

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

August 2 - Choral Evensong. 4pm at St. John's, Shaughnessey.

August 8 - Celtic Spirituality & Design. 9:30am in Chilliwack.

August 22 - Victorian Tea & Historical Presentation for the 130th Anniversary of All Saints, Agassiz. 1pm to 4pm at All Saint.

Archbishop's Calendar

July 10 to 31 - Vacation

August 1 to 12 - Visit to Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines

HAVE NEWS OR AN UPCOMING EVENT TO SHARE?

-Want to submit an article for Topic? Contact Alicia with your proposal at least eight weeks before the publication date.

-Have an event to include on the diocesan on-line events calendar? If your parish uses a Tithely website, you can share News and Events directly from your website to ours using the "share" feature. If you don't use a Tithely website, you can submit your event using the form available here. Ideally, aim to submit your event at least three weeks before the event date.

-Something newsworthy coming up in your parish? Contact Alicia with information and we'll find the best way to share it with the diocese.

You can contact Alicia at communications@vancouver.anglican.ca