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International Day for Migrants
At the Diocesan Synod on May 30 & 31, 2025, a resolution was passed to encourage parishes to mark December 18, or the nearest Sunday, as International Migrants Day. The Rev. Expedito Farinas and the congregation at St. Mary's, Southhill, have been marking this day liturgically for some time. The Rev. Expedito Farinas has shared information about and suggestions for marking this day in parishes. You can read Rev. Farinas' suggestions HERE.
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| Archbishop John Stephens will be away over the next two weeks attending the National House of Bishops and taking a short study leave. Executive Archdeacon Nick Pang is Commissary from November 3 to 16. | |
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Job Posting: Business Administrator
The Business Administrator is a new position within the structure of the Diocese of New Westminster replacing the Director of Finance. This Senior Management (Director-level) role will be responsible for the stewardship and optimization of the Diocese’s physical and financial assets. With oversight of approximately 70 properties across the Lower Mainland and leadership of the Finance department, the Business Administrator will play a pivotal role in ensuring the long-term sustainability and operational excellence of the Diocese.
Please read the full job description, key responsibilities and desired qualifications HERE.
Applications for this position will be received until close of business on Friday, November 21st, 2025.
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Induction: The Rev. Amanda Ruston
The Rev. Amanda Ruston will be inducted as Rector of St. James on December 1. The service takes place at 7pm.
Clergy are welcome to vest. The liturgical colour is red.
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Seeking Parishes to Co-Sponsor Refugees
The Diocesan Refugee Unit is seeking parishes to co-sponsor refugees to come to the lower mainland. Several community groups who have approached us, hoping to sponsor refugees. In each case, the community group is ready and willing to provide the financing and settlement support required once the refugees arrive.
Full details about what a co-sponsor parish does, and details on current co-sponsorship opportunities are available HERE.
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Buy Nothing: Church Edition
Does your parish have an altar cloth that needs a new home? St. George’s, Ft. Langley is in need of a “new-to-me” Altar Cloth. The altar at St George’s measures 66” in length and 27” in width. A cloth this size, or one that could be altered to suit, would be very much appreciated.
St. George’s is also looking for small cruets. Do you have any that could use a new home?
If your parish has items to pass along to St. George’s, please contact the St. George’s Altar Guild. Email office@stgeorgeanglican.ca ”attn Altar Guild.”
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Education for Ministry (EfM) Intake
The online EfM group that meets on Sundays is quickly coming to the end of its first year and is ready to welcome new learners for January. Is it your time?
EfM is for lay people, to grow their faith as adult learners, discern how God is calling them, and discover gifts for ministry in the company of others on this pilgrimage, enriching our discipleship.
Interested? For more information, please contact the Rev’d Paula Porter Leggett, or text her at 1-604-329-870. Registration begins November 15 and closes January 2nd, 2026.
Learn more about EfM online groups here.
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'Christmas at Sea' Cards
Mission to Seafarers is already preparing for for Christmas, collecting gifts for seafarers.
Christmas at Sea gifts are even better with cards. Anyone can send a card for seafarers, and we will happily add them to one of the gifts we will be giving out.
Would your school or Sunday school class/youth group be interested to prepare cards for seafarers? Or you can do it individually or with a small group.
Click here for details on how to prepare your cards for seafarers, and how to get them to MTS.
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SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2025-2026
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November 17-19: Clergy Retreat
- December 6: Ordinations at Christ Church Cathedral, 10:30am
- May 30: Mission Conference, 2026
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Advent Series With the Archbishop
Spend four evenings in Advent taking a journey with the pilgrim characters of the Advent season: Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, and John the Baptist. Archbishop John will offer teaching on their stories and the Prologue from the Gospel of John. The sessions will include small group discussion and use scripture, image, song, and poetry to help us deepen our own pilgrim journeys as we search for Emmanuel.
This series takes place on Zoom.
WHEN: Tuesday Evenings from November 25 to December16
TIME: 7pm
Register here.
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Contemplative Activism in Challenging Times:
facilitated by Cynthia Bourgeault
Contemplatives of all spiritual pathways are invited to join together for this online teaching. Cynthia will draw from spiritual and psychological sources to show us how to strengthen our inner resources and deepen our commitment.
WHEN: Saturday, November 29
TIME: 1pm to 3pm
COST: $60 or pay-from-the-heart
REGISTER HERE
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AROUND THE DIOCESE
Full event listing available here
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Events
November 13 - Anti-Fraud Workshop. 10am at St. Alban's, Richmond.
November 14 - Illuminate Gala. 6pm at St. Faith's.
November 14 - Lunchtime Sessions for Faith Leaders: Taking Steps to Avoid Burnout. 12pm Online via Livingsystems.ca
November 15 - Christmas Craft Fair. 10am to 2pm at All Saints, Mission.
November 19 - Beyond Paul-o-Phobia. 6:30pm at St. Thomas, Chiliwack.
November 22- Light the Night: Hosted by the Diocesan Youth Movement. 4pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Delta.
November 22- Pointsettia Bazaar. 10am to 2pm at All Saints, Ladner.
November 29 - Christmas Craft Fair. 10am to 2pm at St. Philip's, Dunbar.
November 29 - St. Thomas Christmas Craft Fair. 10am to 2pm at St. Thomas, Vancouver
Novewmber 29 - Mercato delle Stelle: An Italian Winter Market. 11am to 5pm at St. Francis-in-the-Woods.
November 30 - Advent Lessons & Carols. 4pm at St. James.
December 5 - Advent Messiah. 7:30pm at St. Dunstan's, Aldergrove.
December 6 - Christmas Market. 11am to 3pm at St. Alban's, Burnaby.
December 17 - Longest Night Service. 6:30pm at St. Thomas, Chilliwack
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November 8 to 15 - Study Leave
November 16 - Holy Spirit, Whonnock
November 23 - Holy Trinity, Vancouver
November 30 - St. Hilda's, Sechelt
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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? Send us details three weeks before your event.
-Something newsworthy happening 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
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