April 29, 2025

Prayer Service for Lapu Lapu Day Victims by the Rev. Expedito Farinas

Lapu-lapu is a brave indigenous leader from the Southern regions of the Philippines. We, (Filipinos) regard him as the first Filipino hero because of his resistance to foreign colonization.(Spanish). On April 26, 2025 (Sunny Saturday), we came together as one community to celebrate "Lapu-lapu Day" to honour our heritage.

That day was filled with laughter, dancing, delicious food (sari-sari), and music (Allan Pineda Lindo, aka Apl.de.ap., a Filipino singer/rapper from the LA Black Eyed Peas was performing). It was a well-attended Filipino community event!

It was supposedly a day of great celebration honouring our heritage, our culture and our traditions. But it turned out to be one of the most horrifying and traumatizing day that Filipino community will never forget.

What was supposed to be a celebration ended with 11 people killed and dozens injured.

On Sunday, 27 April 2025, our Church, St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Vancouver opened her doors to mourners and well-wishers. A prayer vigil service and candle lighting was held in honor of those lost innocent lives.

Read more and see photos of the prayer service HERE.

News & Updates

Prayer Service May 4 for Lapu Lapu Day victims

On Sunday, May 4 at 3pm a prayer service will be held at St. Mary's, South Hill (808 E. 50th Ave., Vancouver) in memory of the victims killed at the recent Lapu Lapu day street festival. The parish community will gather, along with the archbishop, to hold in prayer those who died, the injured survivors, and their loved ones.

All who wish to join in prayer are welcome to attend. Clergy are welcome to wear clerics (collar).

Confirmation Day

On June 14, 2025 Archbishop John Stephens will preside at a Eucharist service during which he will confirm the sacrament of confirmation on candidates. The archbishop will preside at the rite of Reaffirmation or Reception into the Anglican Communion.

Clergy who have prepared candidates for confirmation, reaffirmation, or reception, should fill out the appropriate form for each candidate, available HERE, and return by email no later than May 17 to msousa@vancouver.anglican.ca

Resilience Campaign

In the wake of cuts to international development assistance by the U.S. Government and some European governments, Alongside Hope partners are reporting that programs are being shut down, and families and communities are living in uncertainty about their futures.

To maintain as many vital programs as possible, Alongside Hope is launching an urgent appeal to donors. Your support of the “Resilience Fund” will allow Alongside Hope to provide partners with additional support for refugees, HIV-related needs and for women recovering from gender-based-violence. Thanks to an extremely generous anonymous donor, all donations made to the Resilience Fund by June 30, 2025 will be matched, up to $250,000.

SAVE THE DATE: IMPORTANT DIOCESAN DATES 2025

May 5-7: Clergy Conference
May 30 - 31 Diocesan Synod at the Italian Cultural Centre.
June 14: Confirmations
June 21: Ordinations
November 17-19: Clergy Retreat

WHAT'S ON

A full listing of upcoming events is available here.

Formation Opportunities

Confirmation Preparation Day

The diocese invites youth and adults being confirmed, reaffirmed or received into the Anglican Church this year to join us for a day of learning, conversation and worship.

The day will include prayer, exploring Anglican identity, seeing the process of confirmation, reflecting on our baptism and spiritual gifts, and lots of conversation and interactive activity.

If you have questions about whether this day might be for you, talk with your parish priest or deacon to get more information and discern a decision.

WHEN: May 10

WHERE: Diocesan Office, 1410 Nanton Ave

TIME: 10am to 3pm Lunch will be provided.

Details and registration HERE.

Bowen Family Systems in Ministry

Living Systems offers a course on Bowen Family Systems Theory in Ministry.

Bowen theory in ministry will introduce clergy and faith leaders to the concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory. This will allow participants to think about their role and function within their family and their faith communities. The course is led by the Rev. Sharon Salomons, an Anglican priest and a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Dates: Six 2-hour sessions: Mondays, May 5, May 12, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16.

Time: 9:30 am–11:30 am PDT

Location: Online, via Zoom

Fee: $300.00 CDN

Details and registration HERE.

Licensed Lay Ministry Day

The diocese has recently expanded the possibilities for licensed lay ministry. Are you discerning whether you are called to be one of them? Or wondering if this might be a good thing in your parish? Come for a day of discernment, information, and conversation.

WHEN: May 10

WHERE: St. Matthew's 2010 Guilford Drive

TIME: 2pm to 5pm

Details and registration HERE.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

A full listing of upcoming events is available here.

Events

May 2 - Creating Hope & Hope. Opening of Art Exhibit at St. Faith's. 6pm

May 3 - Anglican Church Women Annual General Meeting. 9:15am to 2:30pm at St. George, Ft. Langley

May 4 - Choral Evensong. 4pm at St. John's, Shaughnessey

May 5, 6, 7 - Clergy Conference, Whistler.

May 8 - Laudato Si Book Study. Offered by ELCIC, online.

May 9 -11 - Beauty Revives the Soul. Weekend Retreat at Loon Lake.

May 10 - Spring Fair & Strawberry Tea. 11am to 3pm at St. George, Ft. Langley.

May 10 - Revered Roots, with Metis herbalist LoriAnn Bird. 2pm to 4pm at St. Faith's

May 10 - Pulling Out All The Stops, organ concert at St. James. 7:30pm

May 11 - The Sceptre and the Sakura: The Rise of St. James in "Japantown". Public Lecture at St. James. 1:30pm to 2:30pm

May 17 - Eco Pilgrimage at Sparrowcreek Farm. Hosted by St. George, Ft. Langley.

Archbishop's Calendar

May 4 - St. Philip's, Dunbar

May 14 - St. Mary the Virgin, Sapperton

May 13 - VST Convocation

May 18 - St. Faith

May 30, 21 - Diocesan Synod

June 1 - St. Augustine, Marpole

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

POSITION: Youth & Families Ministry Leader

CHURCH: St. Alban the Martyr, Burnaby

St. Alban's is looking for a part-time Youth and Families Minister (15-20 hrs per week). The ideal candidate brings initiative and motivational/organizational skills for involving youth (12-18 years old) and young adults (19-25 years old) in planning fun and appropriate individual and group activities. We provide a supportive environment and team of experienced individuals to help you grow and succeed.

Full job descrption and application details available here.

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