February 24, 2026

News

Nominations for ODNW 2026 Open

The Order of the Diocese of New Westminster was established to acknowledge lay members of the Diocese who have devoted themselves to outstanding volunteer ministry over a significant period of time. The Investiture Service takes place every other year. There will be an investiture in 2026. Nominations are now being accepted.

The Deadline to submit nominations is April 30, 2026

Nominations should be submitted using the online form. Physical copies of the form will not be accepted.

Full details about the nomination process are available HERE.

The online nomination form is available HERE.

Clergy News

The Rev. Emilie Smith has informed the archbishop of her intent to retire. Her last Sunday at St. Barnabas will be March 1, 2026.

Communion Administrators - Licensing

A reminder that it is time for Communion Administrators' licenses to be issued.

Parishes are asked to please use this online form to submit the names of Lay Administrators for the Archbishop's approval.

Clergy Conference

This year's Clergy Conference takes place in White Rock, at a venue that is new to us. The aim is to facilitate a special program in partnership with A Rocha Canada (https://arocha.ca/), a faith-based environmental education and conservation organization based in Delta.

As a part of this year's conference, A Rocha will present about their work, ministry, and the ways that communities of faith can engage with creation care. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to take part in some hands-on work at the A Rocha environmental centre.

WHEN: May 4 to 6

T4s Available for Download

T4s will be available to download from Pgi Portal on February 27. T4 forms will not be mailed out this year. Instead, all employees can access and download their T4 forms by logging into the Payroll Guardian Portal (PGi).

How to access Payroll Guardian Portal

Go to https://fp6.payrollguardian.com/cgi-bin/fp6/login.htm
Log in
Go to ‘My Documents” and this is where you will find all the above forms.

*If you have forgotten your User ID and Password, please email Michele using your personal email address, and she will email you your login information.

Visit to the Diocese of Northern Philippines

This year, the archbishop and a delegation from the Diocese of New Westminster will be visiting the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines.

The delegation will be made up of clergy from this diocese. Interested clergy can apply to be part of this visit using the online form linked below.

The trip will take place from August 1 to 10. Dates may shift slightly when flights are confirmed.

Would you like to be part of this visit? Please use this form to apply to be part of the delegation. Application deadline is March 22.

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2026

May 4 to 6 - Clergy Conference
May 30: Mission Conference
August 4 - 6: "You are the Salt of the Earth," Diocese of Islands and Inlets Summer Retreat.

FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL OPORTUNITIES

Full Listings available via Diocesan Learning Centre and Centre for Spiritual Renewal

Confirmation Prep Day

Archbishop John Stephens and the Mission and Ministry staff of the Diocese of New Westminster invite all those being confirmed, reaffirmed or received into the Anglican Church this year to join us for a day of learning, conversation and worship.

Explore your spiritual gifts. Ask the big questions. Get up close and personal to a sacred space. This one day event, hosted by Archbishop John, is for all youth and adults who are preparing for confirmation, reception into the Anglican Church, or reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

WHEN: April 18
TIME: 10am to 3pm
WHERE: 1410 Nanton Ave (Synod Office)

Details and Registration HERE.

Exploring Licensed Lay Ministry

The diocese has recently expanded the possibilities for licensed lay ministry. Are you discerning whether you are called to one of them? Or wondering if this might be a good thing in your parish? Come for a day of discernment, information, and conversation.

Date: Saturday, April 11th

Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm

Place: St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, 11601 82 Ave, Delta

Full details about the session HERE.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

February 24 - Lord, Teach Us To Pray. A series of workshops on different ways of praying. First Session: The Daily Office with Kevin Hunt. 7:15pm at St. Thomas, Vancouver.

February 24 - Centering Prayer. 2pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

February 28 - Young Adult Movie Night. 6pm at St. Timothy's, Burnaby.

February 28 - The Long, Long, Night of Hope. 7:30pm to 7am at St. John, North Vancouver.

February 28 - Lumen: Evening Prayer Service. 6pm at Holy Cross, Vancouver.

March 1 - Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine. 2pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

March 3 - Lord, Teach us to Pray. A series of workshops on different ways of praying. This session: Embodied Prayer with Jessica Schaap. 7:15pm at St. Thomas, Vancouver.

March 8 - Teaching Eucharist. 12:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

March 14 - Alongside Hope Parish Reps Meeting. 10am to 12:30pm at St. Laurence, Coquitlam.

January 22 to April 6 - Sacred Journeys: with Textile Artist Karen Brodie. Italian Cultural Centre.

Archbishop's Calendar

March 1 - St. Oswald's, Port Kells.

March 15 - St. Agnes, North Vancouver

March 29 - St. David's, Powell River

March 31 - Chrism Mass

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? Submit details of your event at least three weeks before your event using the form available here.

-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