August 25, 2026

The Fall / Winter cycle of both Diocesan Grants and Anglican Foundation Grants is upon us. Deadlines for submission are fast approaching.

Anglican Foundation Grants

Parishes that wish to submit a grant application must submit their application to the diocese by September 1. Please send application packages to the Administrative Assistant to the Synod Office no later than September 1. Applications will then be reviewed by the standing committee for AFC grants, and submitted to Diocesan Council. Applications approved by Diocesan Council will then be submitted to the Anglican Foundation of Canada. More information available here.

Parish Development & Children, Youth and Family Grants

Applications may now be submitted. The deadline for submitting applications is October 16.

To find out if your parish might qualify for one of these grants and to get the application form for each grant, click here.

News

Season of Creation Resources

In case you missed it, a menu of Season of Creation resources (including the trial use liturgy for the Feast of the Creator) is available on the diocesan website, and on the official website of the international Season of Creation steering committee.

Authorization of New Liturgies

Clergy: are you planning or hoping to use or experiment with a new or alternative liturgy? This is an online form to make a request to the archbishop. You can find this form and many more authorized liturgical resources on the website here: https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/clergy-resources/liturgical

Special Clerical Collars

Would you like special clerical collars to mark Truth and Reconciliation Sunday or Pride-themed services? A recently ordained deacon would be happy to kit you out.

The Rev. Jenn Ashton, deacon and Indigenous Ministry leader at St. Clement’s, North Vancouver, is of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) nation. She writes: "The Coast Salish have always had a gift economy and been a gift-giving culture. To that end, if there was (or is!) a big event, something where the community might gather in the big house, gifts would be given to everyone who attended."

In that spirit, Jenn has crafted a gift to thank DNW clergy colleagues for their help and prayers along the path to ordination. She would love to send you a set of collars at her cost - one orange-tabbed and one rainbow. Attachable tabs can be sent to those who wear Roman collars. Please contact jenn@stclementschurch.ca with your mailing address.

Job Openings

Part Time Treasurer - Church of the Epiphany, Surrey

Ministries & Office Coordinator - St. Christopher's, West Vancouver

Various Ministry Roles - St. Laurence, Coquitlam

Buy Nothing: Church Edition

St. Stephen's parish in West Vancouver has a set of banquet tables that are in need of a new home. They were purchased from an event supplier, so they are very heavy wood tables. There are two sizes available: 9” x 54” rounds and 12” x 60” rounds.

Anyone interested in picking up one or more please contact Trish either by phone at 604-926-4381 or by email at st.stephenswv@shawlink.ca

Ministry of Presence: Rev. Paul Richards travels to Ukraine

The Rev. Paul Richards is returning to Ukraine in September to help support veterans, mental health professionals and those who work with the military.

Read more about his upcoming journey and his ministry of presence, here.

Save the Date: Flu Shot Clinic

On Tuesday, October 27, from 10am-2pm St. Michael's, Surrey, is hosting a flu shot clinic. All parishes are welcome to come get flu shots at this clinic. If your parish wants to make use of this clinic, please email Saint Michael's with the numbers attending. That will help ensure enough doses for everyone planning to attend. Please email saintmichaels@telus.net

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2026

Clergy Day on New Safeguarding Program: September 22 at the Synod Office. (mandatory for active clergy)
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

Would you like to explore and deepen your Christian faith in shared reflection and study? If so, then Education for Ministry (EfM) may be for you. EfM is designed to use everyday experiences to connect our hearts and heads, bridging between the Bible and our lives.

Some of the core practices of EfM include:

· Living in community

· Regular prayer and worship

· Theological reflection

· Vocational discernment

· Christian tradition

When we embody the Core Practices of EfM, we create a community where discernment is both a series of “aha” moments and a gradual, evolving understanding.

We meet weekly (3 hr per week for 36 weeks each year). You come as you are and become part of a community that explores the relation between faith and life. If you are interested, please contact Jim Berger or your pastor.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

August 28 - Whispers of a Dream: featuring Keava McCormack. 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral

August 30 - Eucharistie en français. 5:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral

September 6 - Choral Evensong. 4pm at St. John's, Shaughnessy

September 12 - Everything But the Closet Sale. 11am at St. Philip's, Vancouver.

September 12 - Becoming the Answer: What we can do about the climate crisis. 2pm to 4pm at St. Dunstan's.

September 19 - Cycling for Seafarers. 7am to 2pm. With BBQ at 11:30am at Mission to Seafarers Waterfront Centre.

September 19 - Trivia Night Fundraiser. 6pm at St. George, Ft. Langley

September 23 - Metro Vancouver Alliance Municipal Election Assembly. 7pm at St. Andrew's Wesley.

Archbishop's Calendar

September 13 - St. George, Ft. Langley - 125th Anniversary

September 20 - St. Timothy's, Burnaby

September 27 - St. Dunstan's, Aldergrove

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 online 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