October 15, 2025

St. Matthew's 125th Anniversary - You're Invited

On October 26th, 2025, St. Matthew's joyfully marks the 125th anniversary of its presence and ministry in Abbotsford.

For over a century, the community has served as a sacred haven—a place where people encounter God's presence, unite as one body in Christ, and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Through seasons of both challenge and triumph, countless hearts have been touched; stories have been shared, healing has been found, and love has flourished. Our mission has reached far and wide, extending helping hands to those in need, near and afar.

As we pray and gather, we continue to "help each other explore God's beauty, truth and goodness".

We remain dedicated to embodying God’s love, bringing hope to the world, and growing in faith together.

Please join us in celebrating our rich heritage, praising God, and envisioning a future filled with promise and grace.

Celebration Service:

October 26th, Sunday, 10:00 AM

Guest Preacher: Executive Archdeacon Rev. Nick Pang

A festive reception will follow the service.

We would be honored to celebrate with you!

News & Updates

GAFCON Statement & Pastoral Letters

Last week GAFCON issued a statement declaring itself the Anglican Communion.

Subsequently Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, Sarah Mullally, the General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Anthony Poggo, and the Primate of of the Anglican Church of Canada have released pastoral letters regarding the announcement.

You can ready the various statements by clicking on the links above.

Image Copyrights

A reminder to those who are responsible for updating the parish website and social media that only copyright-free images should be used. Using images that are under copyright leads to legal and financial repercussions. Churches and charitable organizations are not exempt from copyright laws.

Some good sources of copyright-free images are :

unsplash.com

pixabay.com

pexels.com

Pixabay also offers the opportunity to search for graphics.

(image: by Mohammad Hassan/Pixabay)

Celebration of a New Ministry: Inductions

The Rev. Bill Mok will be formally installed as Rector of St. Alban's, Richmond on Wednesday, October 29 at 6pm. Clergy are invited to vest. The liturgical colour is green.

Mtr. Amanda Ruston will be formally installed as Rector of St. James on Monday, December 1 at 7pm. Clergy are invited to vest. The liturgical colour is red.

Bishop's Retreat for Clergy - New Registration Deadline

The Bishop's Retreat for Clergy in the Diocese of New Westminster is being held November 17 to 19 at Loon Lake. This year the guest speaker is The Rt. Rev. Te Kitohi "Kito" Pikaahu, Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau (New Zealand).

If you have not attended before, please note this event is a silent retreat.

Full accomodation options, cost details, and registration form are avaialble HERE. Please Register by Wednesday, October 29th at 5pm.

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2025-2026

October 25 - Clergy Morning with the Dean of Canterbury at Christ Church Cathedral. 9am to 11am.
November 17-19: Clergy Retreat
May 30: Mission Conference, 2026

IN MEMORIAM

Doug Robinson, ODNW

Doug passed away on October 7, 2025. Born in 1929 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, Doug grew up in that seaside resort with his eight older siblings by his side.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Dorene, in April 1950.

The family emigrated to Canada in 1966, where Doug worked as a School Principal in Saskatchewan for two years.

In 1988, Doug retired from the teaching of Special Education, and moved to Maple Ridge, B.C.

He was a longtime member of St. George's, Maple Ridge and was awarded the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster.

A Service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, 3rd November at St George’s, Maple Ridge. Interment of Ashes to follow in the Memorial Garden.

Read the full obituary for Doug Robinson, here.

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

Godly Play Core Training

Godly Play is a program for deep spiritual formation designed for children but applicable to others as well. It draws on principles from Montessori education and offers practices of storytelling, creating sacred space, and building relationships.

The core training is offered over three days. You can register for one day or all three to receive a certificate of accreditation. All learning will take place in a prayerful and playful atmosphere

with creative and experienced Godly Play trainers.

To learn more about Godly Play and to register click here.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

A full listing of upcoming events is available here.

Events

October 22 - Latria: Music and Communion. 7pm at St. Thomas, Chilliwack.

October 25 - Harvest Dinner. 5pm at St. Alban's, Burnaby.

October 25 - The Cross and the Olive Tree, with Shadia Qubti. 7pm at St. Dunstan's Sanctuary.

November 1 - Grace in Grief: A Retreat Day. 9:30am to 3:30pm at Cultus Lake, Chilliwack.

November 2 - Tour of Historic St. James. 12:30pm at St. James.

November 8 - Introduction to Centering Prayer. 9:30am at Christ Church Cathedral.

November 12 - Feather Circle. 11am at the Synod Office (1410 Nanton Ave.)

November 14 - Illuminate Gala. 6pm at St. Faith's.

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.

Archbishop's Calendar

October 23 - Bishop's Friends Dinner.

October 26 - St. Mary's, Kerrisdale.

November 2 - St. Anne's, Steveston

November 3 to 7 - National House of Bishops.

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