January 13, 2026

Clergy Day - January 22

The diocesan Clergy Day on January 22 focuses on interfaith engagement in personal and public life. The keynote speaker is Dr. Casey Collins, Director of Interfaith Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. The morning session will be led by Dr. Collins. The afternoon features a peer-led panel conversation on interfaith engagement.

Doors open at 9:30am for coffee/tea refreshments. Program starts at 10:00am. Bring your own bag lunch. Day ends at 2:45pm.

News & Notes

Submitting Events to the Diocesan Website

Last year saw the rollout of a new way for parishes with Tithely websites to share news and events with the diocesan website. This year, the Communications Office is launching a new way for parishes that do not have Tithely websites to submit information about upcoming events. There is now a short, online form to fill out with the details of your event. You can access the form via the “Events” page on the diocesan website. There is a button at the top of the page (see image). The form allows you to upload any images or posters and provide any links related to your event.

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

Clergy Wellness Surveys

Dr. Wesley Buch, a clinical psychologist and research associate at Trinity College, Toronto School of Theology (University of Toronto) is conducting a series of national surveys that will yield a wellness audit of Canadian multi-denominational, inter-faith clergy and religious leaders. Clergy of the Diocese of New Westminster are invited to take part in this optional survey.

Details about this particular survey, what it entails, and how to participate are available HERE.

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 your parish has never had a deacon on its clergy team, this is your congregation’s chance to learn more about the nature of the diaconate and about the discernment process undertaken by candidates exploring ordination. 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 will be made available shortly.

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 2025-2026

January 22: Clergy Day with Dr. Casey Collins, Director of Inter-Religious Studies at VST.
May 30: Mission Conference, 2026

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.

Holy Hurt

The Centre for Spiritual Renewal offers this session of Spiritual Trauma and Healing.

We as humans are designed for connection with others, but what happens when the communities we are involved with become a source of pain?

Join facilitators Kellie Brown and Gillian Drader (spiritual directors) as we thoughtfully and gently process the material from Hilary McBride’s book, Holy Hurt. Each session will begin with a centering exercise, short overview of a key theme from Holy Hurt and time to process together in community.

WHEN: Monday, January 19
WHERE: Online
TIME: 10am to 11:30am
Registration and full details HERE

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Full event listing available here

January 14 - Discernment in Times Like These. 6:45pm, Online. Offered by Pacific Jubilee.

January 22 - Ecumenical Prayer Service. 7:15pm at St. Thomas, Vancouver.

January 22 - Sacred Journeys: with Textile Artist Karen Brodie. Grand opening, 7pm at the 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 13 to 15 - DYM Winter Retreat.

February 19 - Lunchtime Sessions for Faith Leaders. 12pm online.

Archbishop's Calendar

January 18 - St. Mary Magdalene

January 19 - BC Climate Emergency Campaign Press Conference.(streamed on facebook)

January 21 - Ecumenical Prayer Service, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, John Paul II Pastoral Centre.

January 25 - St. John's, North Vancouver

February 1 - St. Christopher's, West Vancouver

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.

-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