January 27, 2026

Registration Open for Say Yes to Kids! 2026

The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Say Yes! to Kids (SYTK) campaign, the Foundation’s national fundraising initiative supporting children and youth-focused ministry across the Anglican Church of Canada.

Parishes, dioceses, and Anglican-affiliated organizations are invited to register by April 1, 2026.

Registration Links and further information available HERE.

News

Rest in Peace & Rise in Glory

The Rev. Bryan Rivers

It is with great sadness that I inform all the people of the Diocese of New Westminster that the Rev. Bryan Rivers died on Monday, January 19, in Winnipeg. Bryan was well known and loved in this Diocese, as for many years he was the Anglican Chaplain at Vancouver General Hospital. Bryan was a genuinely kind and gentle man. He cared deeply about all the people he visited in the hospital: patients, families, medical professionals, cleaning staff, security guards and anyone else he came into contact with. He cared deeply about the people of this Diocese as well, visiting many parishes to speak about hospital chaplaincy and the importance of pastoral care.

Even while he was ill with cancer and going through treatment, he seemed more concerned about the people treating him than about himself. His humility and genuine love of neighbour were deeply inspiring.

The Diocese of Rupert's Land put out this descriptor of Bryan very recently:

“Bryan was a professor of English literature at Université de Saint-Boniface when he began his ordained ministry in Rupert's Land, as an honorary associate at St Paul's Fort Garry. He subsequently served in the diocese of New Westminster, in the role of Anglican chaplain at Vancouver General Hospital. Recently, Bryan returned to Winnipeg and renewed his acquaintance with friends here. We give thanks for his presence and witness amongst us. Please remember his spouse Karin in your prayers, along with all who will miss him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Bryan had a deep and unwavering faith in God's grace and love. This was evident in his ministry, throughout his illness and at his death. He had been called by Christ into ordained ministry, and he lived deeply into that call.

God of mercy, into whose hands your Son Jesus Christ commended his spirit at his last hour, into those same hands we commend your servant Bryan, that death may be for him the gate to life and to eternal fellowship with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+John

UPDATES

Clergy News

Archbishop John Stephens has appointed Mtr. Amanda Ruston as the Regional Dean of the Kingsway deanery, effective February 1.

Annual Information Sessions

The Synod Office Finance Department is pleased to offer two information sessions which may be of interest to Trustees, Wardens, Treasurers, and Rectors/Vicars/Priests in Charge:

CTF Information Session
Wednesday, January 28 at 4pm to 6:30pm on Zoom.

Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81454321230

Meeting ID: 814 5432 1230

Insurance Information Session
Tuesday, February 24 at 4pm, on Zoom. Link to be shared in the weeks ahead.
*Please note, this session was originally scheduled for February 18. The date has been changed to Feb. 24.

Induction of Rector of St. Alban's, Burnaby

The Rev. Brian Choto will be formally inducted as the new Rector of St. Alban's, Burnaby on February 2, at 7pm.

All are welcome. Clergy are welcome to vest. The liturgical colour is white.

Registration Open for Sorrento Summer Programs

Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre’s Summer Anglican Programming registration opens to the public on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9 am. Please check out their website at www.sorrentocentre.ca for full details on amazing programs for all ages.

Submitting Events to the Diocesan Website

Previously, many parishes had log-in credentials for for the diocesan website. Those login credentials will be deactivated at the end of January.

Parishes that do not have Tithely websites should use the online form, accessible via the “Events” page on the diocesan website.

Parishes with Tithely website should continue using the built-in "share" feature.

If you run into any issues while trying to use the form, please contact the communications office at communications@vancouver.anglican.ca

Deacon Sunday - February 1

February 1 is Deacon Sunday in the Diocese

It is a day to celebrate the distinctive ministry of deacons, who are called to serve in both the church and in the world beyond its walls. If you would like to have a deacon take part in your service that morning, please contact the Ven. Peggy Trendell-Jensen, Archdeacon for Deacons, as soon as possible. A "flying squad" of deacons is available to provide your church with a visiting deacon for the morning (while quantities last!). Print materials area available HERE.

The Rev. Kevin de la Mare, deacon at the Cathedral, and the Rev. Alisdair Smith, deacon chaplain at the Vancouver School of Theology, will be hosting a 40-Minute Forum on the diaconate between the Cathedral’s two morning services on February 1. The Archdeacon for Deacons will be preaching at the Cathedral’s 8 and 10:30 a.m. services that day.

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

Lay Worship Leader Course

The Diocese of New Westminster Learning Centre and the Diocese of BC are partnering to offer training for Lay Worship Leaders. Training is offered on Zoom, on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm, beginning March 5.

Completion of this course does not guarantee a license but offers solid preparation for exercising this ministry. Details and registration HERE.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

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

January 29 - Lunchtime Sessions for Faith Leaders. 12pm, Online.

January 29 & 30 - Missional Imagionation Conference 2026. Online, various times.

February 4 - Sophia Circle. 6:30pm on Zoom.

February 11 - Feather Circle. 11am at the Synod Office.

February 13 to 15 - DYM Winter Retreat.

Archbishop's Calendar

February 1 - St. Christopher's, West Vancouver

February 2 - Induction of Rev. Brian Choto as Rector of St. Alban's, Burnaby

February 8 - St. Thomas, Vancouver

February 22 - St. Michael's, Surrey

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