May 5, 2026

May Feather Circle: With LoriAnn Bird

Cultivating Connection through Story and Soil

This month we are delighted to welcome and learn from LoriAnn Bird, author of Revered Roots: Ancestral Teachings and Wisdom of Wild, Edible, and Medicinal Plants.

LoriAnn Bird is an Indigenous Métis herbalist and educator with a deep knowledge of wild, medicinal and edible plants that grow in everyday spaces. Through LoriAnn’s eyes, our immediate surroundings take on a new life and offer a wealth of untapped nutritional and ecological resources.

LoriAnn’s vision is to continually co-create insightful dialogues, to remediate and reconcile with our Indigenous plants as we reintroduce them into our urban landscapes and support collective resilience and deep ecological healing for all species. She has been invited to build wild and native gardens with cities and school boards and teaches about our more-than-human kin (our Plant Relatives), their medicines, their spirit and how to see them as part of our inner ecosystems, as our teachers, and our families.

RSVP by email to: info@sthildegards.ca
WHEN: Wednesday, May 13
TIME: 11am to 2pm
WHERE: Synod Office, 1410 Nanton Ave.

Coffee, Tea and snacks will be provided. Bring your own lunch as desired.

News

Confirmations

On Saturday, May 9, Confirmations will take place at Christ Church Cathedral. Candidates from across the diocese will be confirmed by Archbishop John Stephens.

All are welcome to attend. The service begins at 10:30am

Mission Conference 2026: Registration Open

Mission Conference 2026 takes place Saturday, May 30. The theme is “Moving in Mission, Guided by Spirit.” Archbishop Michael Curry, former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, is the keynote speaker. Full conference details, including breakout session presenters, are available here.

All are welcome to register for this free conference. Register HERE.

Sing Without Ceasing

Sing Without Ceasing is a Diocesan Choir Festival taking place at Christ Church Cathedral on May 29, 2026 as part of the Mission Conference Weekend.

The evening will bring together singers from across the Diocese to form a Diocesan Mass Choir, alongside congregational singing, readings and other elements of worship.

The festival is being offered in collaboration with Neil Cockbourn, Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral and will include a guest address from Bishop Michael Curry.

Help Welcome Soccer Fans of All Nations to the Cathedral

The Cathedral is planning to be open as a sanctuary for prayer seven days a week from 9:30am to 8:30pm from June 10 to July 10, when soccer fans from around the world will be in our city to watch the beautiful game.

Volunteers are needed to help make this possible.

Do you like interacting with people? Perhaps you have cultural ties with the nations we know will play in Vancouver. Or even speak a language other than English? Your interests, talents and background can make the Cathedral an even more welcome place for visitors!

Sign-up to join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 5:30 pm for an on-line information session to learn how you can get involved in what promises to be an interesting time for the city and the Cathedral.

Buy Nothing: Church Edition

St. Laurence Anglican Church, Coquitlam - seeking a grand piano

St. Laurence, Coquitlam, is looking for a grand or baby grand piano to support our vibrant music ministry.

If you or someone in your network is downsizing and has a quality grand or baby grand you would consider donating or selling, we would love to hear from you. A charitable donation receipt can be provided for gifted instruments.

Please contact the Parish Office at 604-936-5423 or office@saintlaurence.ca.

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2026

May 9: Confirmations. 10:30am At Christ Church Cathedral
May 30: Mission Conference
August 4 - 6: "You are the Salt of the Earth," Diocese of Islands and Inlets Summer Retreat.

FORMATION & SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Full event listing available here

Pathways to Peace Retreat

The Centre for Spiritual Renewal at St. Dunstan's is pleased to offer this retreat day exploring the ways that make for peace in our hearts and into our lives and world.

This facilitated day includes group sessions, stations of engagement, contemplative worship, spiritual practices, and an opportunity to connect in community.

Facilitated by Katherine Murray, with guest Esther Wilson

WHEN: Saturday, June 20
WHERE: St. Dunstan's - 3025 264 St, Aldergrove
COST: $50

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

May 9 - Blooms & Baking. From 11am at St. Philip's, Dunbar.

May 10 - Evensong Series. 4pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

May 14 - Look at the Birds in the Air: Art Exhibit Opening with Richard Topping. 6:30pm at St. Faith's.

May 15-19 - My Beloved- Creativity & Awe Reatreat with the Rev. Peter Elliott and Thomas Roach. At Loon Lake, Maple Ridge.

May 16 - Still & Still Moving: An Afternoon Retreat. 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

May 17 - Evensong Series. 4pm at St. James.

May 17 - Soulful Singing of Tom Picket. 7pm at St. David's, Delta.

May 22 - Romantic Sonata for Violin and Piano. 7:30pm at St. James.

May 23 - St. Laurence Big Book Sale. 10am to 2pm at St. Laurence, Coquitlam.

May 23 - Pilgrimage Walk. 2:30pm to 4:30pm with St. Dunstans at Aldergrove Regional Park.

May 23 - Wild Blue Herons in concert. 7pm at St. Oswald's, Surrey.

July 2-5 - Whitehorse Worship Arts Festival & Contemplative Retreat.

July 11 - Water & Wonder Day Retreat. 9:30am to 3:30pm at Cultus Lake with Rev. Lorie Martin.

Archbishop's Calendar

May 10 - All Saints, Mission

May 12 - Vancouver School of Theology Convocation

May 15 to 20 - Primate's Visit to the Diocese

May 24 - St. Clement's, Lynn Valley

June 7 - Peace Arch Deanery Picnic

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