January 6, 2026

Nominations Open for Order of Diocese of New Westminster

Nominations are now open for parish nominees to the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster (ODNW). The deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 30, 2026. Each parish can nominate one person to the Order.

The Order 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. This year the Investiture Service will take place Saturday, November 7 at 10:30am at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church.

For full details about who is eligible for nomination, and to access the nomination form please click here.

Please note: this year, nomination forms are to be submitted online.

News & Notes

Provincial Grants Available

Two grants administered by the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon are now taking applications.

The Rufus Gibbs Trust Fund offers grants to small, impoverished and outlying parishes for the repair of any parish buildings. It is anticipated that the parish offers some of their own funds or Diocesan funds to help support the project, but it is not mandatory.

The Bullock-Webster Trust Fund offers grants to clergy who have retired but require financial assistance.

The application forms are available here and attached to this email. Deadline is February 9th, 2026.

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.

Why an online submission form?
The forms are one aspect of a content management system that is easily trackable and reduces the opportunities for human error. Parishes that do not have Tithely websites should now use the form to submit events to be included in the diocesan events listing and newsletter. Parishes that do have Tithely websites should continue to use the built-in sharing feature.

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.

New Year, New Faces: Director of Finance & Property

In case you missed it, a new Director of Finance & Property was named just before Christmas. Terrence Clark joined the Synod Office staff at the start of the year.

Terrence has worked as a realtor and real estate advisor and comes to us with a background in several areas, including construction and development permitting. He will be a strong asset to the development of our finance and property team as we start to expand the Synod Office's contribution to the life of the wider diocese in property redevelopment and management. He has also served as Treasurer at Christ Church Cathedral. Welcome Terrence!!

Terrence can be reached at the Synod Office at extention 214, or by email at tclark@vancouver.anglican.ca

Deacon Sunday - February 1

February 1 is Deacon Sunday in the Diocese

Christ Church Cathedral has planned an event from that day, and Archbishop John is encouraging other parishes in the diocese to follow suit.

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!)

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

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

The Diocese of BC has offered this training for the last five years and trained over 80 lay leaders to officiate at a daily office (Morning, Evening Prayer). Archbishop John Stephens has given his approval to this course for those seeking to be Licensed Lay Worship Leaders in the diocese of New Westminster.

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 9 - Messy Church. 5pm at St. Bartholomew's, Gibsons.

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

February 13 to 15 - DYM Winter Retreat.

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

Archbishop's Calendar

January 8 - 23 - Visit to Whitehorse

January 18 - St. Mary Magdalene

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

January 25 - St. John's, North 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