Archbishop Linda Nicholls,  Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, will be visiting the Diocese April 19-24, 2024. In her time as primate she has travelled extensively both across Canada and across the communion and brings an important perspective on Anglicanism in the 21^st century. To learn more about opportunities where all are invited, please click READ MORE.

We Together is our regular (once every other year) diocesan conference to remind us of the ways we are connected; we are stronger together. We are bound in countless ways, in our structures, in our prayers, and through the stories we tell. We are each others concern, and we are each others gift.

This year we are continuing to focus on our context, building on the "here in this place" theme from We Together 2022 we will be looking at what it means to serve and minister in the most non-religious context in North America. We have unique challenges, and unique opportunities.

The conference will begin on Friday evening April 12th with an evening banquet at the Baumann Centre followed by an opening address by our Executive Director, Brendon Neilson. On Saturday we will gather at St. John the Divine in Victoria featuring our keynote speaker John Thatamanil, our Diocesan Theologian. John will be presenting two sessions with small group dialogue following each. We will end our time with the celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Anna preaching and presiding.

For those looking for accommodations, the diocese has a corporate rate at The Laurel Point Inn. If you phone the hotel and mention the rate, it will be applied.

Finacial Aid Information:

If you would like to attend but the costs are unaffordable, please select the subsidized ticket rate and we will be in touch with you about completing the grant form. Funds have been provided by the Education Trust Board with the requirement that a form be completed. The available grants will cover travel, food and accommodation. There is max. of $175/person and funds will be distributed according to the Diocesan Travel Reimbursement Policy. To review this policy please CLICK HERE.

All grant funds will be mailed by cheque after the event is over and once the form is complete.

To register, please click on the Register button. Registration opens March 1, 2024 and closes April 1, 2024.

For more information, click READ MORE.

The synod office is looking for volunteers to support We Together 2024. Below are a list of volunteer shifts with assigned tasks. Those interested in volunteering may attend the conference (both April 12-13) free of charge. Please email Anna van der Hooft at avanderhooft@bc.anglican.ca if you are interested in volunteering with We Together 2024 Volunteer in the subject line.

Volunteer Shifts Needed:

April 12th

4:00pm-6:00pm: Meet at the Baumann Center to assist with table and chair set-up. There are few tables that will need to be picked up right before 4pm from St. John the Divine. Volunteers will need to be able to handle 8 eight foot folding tables and chairs as well as set out tablecloths, water glasses, cutlery and centerpieces. At 6pm, volunteers may join in for dinner and the rest of the event.

5:30pm: Doors open and dinner is served at 6pm.

8pm-10pm: Volunteers may attend the dinner and should meet in the Baumann Center kitchen to discuss duties. Between 8-9pm volunteers will assist with collecting used glasses to return to Pedersen's and general clean-up. From 9-10pm all the tables, chairs and decorations will need to be taken down and loaded back into vehicles as needed.

The Bishop is pleased to announce that in addition to her other duties at St. Marys, Nanoose Bay, the Rev. Kirsten Evenden will also be looking after the parish of St. Anne's and St. Edmund's in Parksville. Kirsten will be 0.7 FTE at St. Mary's and 0.3 FTE in Parksville. This new role is effective April 1, 2024.

The Montreal Mission Internship is a 9-week paid internship for 18- to 25-year-olds with a heart for service and a desire to discern how God is calling them to serve in the world. Interns work at a social service organisation in the city of Montreal, responding to areas of social inequity such a homelessness, migration, and food insecurity. They then meet as a group, and individually with mentors, to reflect on how God is working in and around them, and to discern together how they are being called to participate in God’s work.  

Below is the poster for this event that anyone may print or distribute electronically to any potentially interested individuals. Also attached social media graphics for Instagram and Facebook which you can share as you see fit. 

There will also be an online info-session happening on March 12^th from 12:00pm-1:00pm.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

The Rev. Chris Stoker has passed away. Chris was an honorary assistant at St. Peter's, Quamichan for over a decade. He also served as a hospital chaplain and as a parish priest st St. Michael's, Chemainus and St. Christopher and St. Aiden in Lake Cowichan.

His funeral will be held on March 9, 2pm at St. Peter's, Quamichan.

The Women's Spring Retreat will take place from April 19-21, 2024 at Camp Pringle (Shawnigan Lake). This year's facilitator will be the Most Rev. Archbishop Linda Nicholls and the spiritual director is the Rev. Lynn Mills. Registration is now open.

For more information, click READ MORE.

Join the local Cursillo chapter for the first post-covid Triennial Conference. This three day event will be held at St. Paul's Anglican Church in downtown Nanaimo and the Anglican Parish of St. Philip in Cedar.

For more information, click READ MORE.