November 4, 2025

Induction of the Rev. Bill Mok

The induction of a new Rector is a service that at its heart is about answering a call once more. As with any calling one answers, it also means trusting God even if the path seem unclear. For St. Alban’s in Richmond, the induction of the Rev. Bill Mok as their new Rector was a response by both priest and clergy to trust and say ‘yes.’

The Service of Induction of the Rev. Mok took place Wednesday, October 23. Archbishop John Stephens presided and the Rev. Tellison Glover preached.

In his sermon Rev. Glover reflected on the moments in scripture when Jesus calls and instructs his closest followers. “If you listen closely to Jesus’ words in the gospel, everything revolves around love. He doesn’t say, ‘Be nice to one another,’ or ‘Tolerate each other.’ He says, love one another.”

The love to which Jesus calls his followers, “it’s about choosing, every day, to see one another as beloved of God, even when it’s inconvenient, even when our differences get in the way,” said Rev. Glover. An induction service “isn’t just about installing a priest, its about renewing a shared call to love one another in Christ.”

News & Updates

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.

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.

Diocesan Council Updates

Diocesan Council met on October 22. Council heard updates from Archbishop John Stephens about, among other things, the recent parish anniversary celebrations he presided at, and the visit of the Dean of Canterbury to the diocese.

Council continued reviewing Synod resolutions that were passed at the Diocesan Synod in May with a view to implementation. A proposal was put forward by Mission and Ministry Development to embark on the creation of a Mission Plan for the diocese. Various parishes in the diocese have gone through the process of creating ministry plans and found it life-giving. The standing committee for Mission and Ministry Development proposed that, as the diocese asks parishes to creation ministry plans, the diocese itself should engage in that process. Council voted on and accepted the motion. Various capital grant applications were also considered during this month’s Diocesan Council meeting.

Payroll and Employment Forms

The diocese has opted to deliver all payroll and employment-related forms online, via the Payroll Guardian Portal, effective immediately.

On the portal you will be able to receive:

Paystubs
T4's
Clergy government forms
Letters of Employment (if requested)
Record of Employment

The diocese will no longer be mailing these forms.

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.

Feather Circle with Cedar Weaving

The next Feather Circle is coming up on Wednesday, November 12.

For this month’s circle, Elder Rikki welcomes Todd G̱íihlgiigaa, Haida Cedar weaver and storyteller to lead us in the creation of Cedar hearts. Todd has taught communities as diverse as elders through youth in community programs throughout BC and Northern Canada. His work has been exhibited at various community galleries and cultural events. His focus is on practical use of creations and the community building potential of this fine craft.

Please RSVP for this event to ensure adequate supplies by emailing: info@sthildegards.ca

Gather at 11am at the Synod Office.

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.

'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.

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2025-2026

November 17-19: Clergy Retreat
December 6: Ordinations
May 30: Mission Conference, 2026

FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

Full listings avaialble via the Learning Centre and Centre for Spiritual Formation

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

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

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

Events

November 6 - Solemn Requiem Mass for All Souls. 6:30pm at St. James

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

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.

Novewmber 29 - Mercato delle Stelle: An Italian Winter Market. 11am to 5pm at St. Francis-in-the-Woods.

December 6 - Christmas Market. 11am to 3pm at St. Alban's, Burnaby.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

A full listing of upcoming events is available here.

Archbishop's Calendar

November 3 to 7 - National House of Bishops.

November 8 to 15 - Study Leave

November 16 - Holy Spirit, Whonnock

November 23 - Holy Trinity, Vancouver

November 30 - St. Hilda's, Sechelt

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