Dear Members and Friends of Gloria Dei, 

My heart was glad to see so many of you come out and support our children at our outdoor “Blessing of the Backpacks” service a couple of weeks ago.   At the same time, I know that the ever changing conditions of our pandemic climate and other life circumstances make it difficult for some of you to find the security you need in order to feel safe to gather with others - especially indoors. We are all moving through this pandemic at a pace that is comfortable for us. Please know that you are remembered in community when we gather for worship and that I am available to bring you home Communion on Sunday afternoons.

I check my weather app to see if it will be a sunny or rainy, hot or cold so that I know how to dress for the climate. I wish that we could have a similar “COVID weather” app that would tell us whether the COVID climate was hot or cold so that we would know exactly when to ditch our layers of protection or keep them.  However, pandemic conditions continue to be fluid requiring us to be resourceful and prepared for all kinds of “Covid weather.”  

At the moment conditions are somewhat unstable and this makes finding a firm footing elusive for all of us—whether we are a sport’s team, restaurant owner, theatre troupe or faith group. For a second consecutive year we are missing the usual injection of energy and momentum associated with the start of a new church year. It is difficult as a church community to make plans for the future, when we cannot predict when measures will be lifted and we can return to some semblance of normal.

However, although we do not yet have the restoration we all hoped would come this Fall—a return to church as a sanctuary unhindered by health concerns and safety protocols—there is much that we can do on behalf of the gospel.  

As we prepare to vote in a federal election National Bishop Susan Johnson joins Anglican leaders in calling us to ponder the questions, “What kind of a Canada do you desire? How is that desire rooted in your spiritual convictions as a follower of the way of Jesus Christ?” Their letter points us to election resources from KAIROS, “Citizens for Public Justice” and others that that will help us in our discernment and you will find links to those resources in this issue. 

This first September newsletter issue is brimming with opportunities for engagement:  in learning more about how Indigenous rights are intertwined with climate justice, hearing the story of a transgender pastor who had the courage and perseverence to remain in the church despite experiences of pain and rejection and much more. 

And do scroll down to read Bishop Greg Mohr's letter announcing his retirement. 

Welcome to September! Welcome to engaged discipleship!

Pastor Vida

As we prepare to vote in a federal election National Bishop Susan Johnson joins Anglican leaders in calling us to ponder the questions, “What kind of a Canada do you desire? How is that desire rooted in your spiritual convictions as a follower of the way of Jesus Christ?” They invite us  talk about that in our churches, discuss it with candidates in our ridings, pray about it in the deep longing of our hearts,seal it with a vote that thoughtfully considers what will make our country a good place for all, and therefore a good place for each of us.

You can read their letter by clicking here

For the Love of Creation Fall 2021 Advocacy Webinar Series

Join Pastor Vida at the church to watch/listen to a webinar hosted by National Bishop Susan Johnson on the topic of Indigenous Rights and Creation.

Please arrive at 3:45PM in time to get settled for the 4:00PM start time.

Or if you would prefer to view the webinar from home,  please click and register here

We are glad to share this event hosted by Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Prince George 

Rev. Brynn Craffey will share his experiences as a queer-identified trans man in the church.

Click here for Pastor Brynn's biography

Join us on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86525243802   

or dial by phone +1 778 907 2071

Meeting ID: 865 2524 3802 

Sept. 7, 2021

I greet you in the name of the one who lives and moves and has being among us.Friends, in several weeks’ time we gather for our BC Synod Convention. The theme for this year’s convention is “Journey. Together: Liminal Space.” The word “liminal” refers to a threshold; it is a word used to describe that which exists at the threshold, the border, between one thing and another.

This COVID-era has certainly been a time of liminal space. You, as ministers, laypeople, congregations and ministries, have navigated these challenging times with perseverance, compassion, and hope. You have worked hard to ensure that your communities would be sustained and encouraged during these times. You have found ways to stay in touch, to communicate with one another, often in new and unexpected ways.

This threshold time has brought with it new understandings and learnings, changed attitudes, a re-assessing of what we should be about, treasuring some things and perhaps setting others aside.

But even aside from COVID, for many years now, the church has been living in a liminal space, seeking to discern God’s activity among us, in our communities, out there in our neighbourhoods. 

We seek to follow God’s call, to see what it is that God is up to, out there, around us, in and through others, and to discern how God wants us to be part of God’s gracious, loving presence in this world.

“Journey. Together: Liminal Space.” As we explore this time of threshold, we cast our eyes toward the horizon, wondering, praying, discerning what the next steps of our journey might be. We will be reflecting upon these things during our Synod Learning Day that takes place during our upcoming BC Synod convention.

Liminal space. Threshold. A time of discernment, prayer, and learning.

There is another liminal space that I want to speak to you about in this video and letter. After much deep, prayerful consideration and discernment, I am announcing to you today that I will be retiring this year and, hence, stepping down as your Bishop.

As a result, the election of your new bishop will take place during the October BC Synod Convention. The new bishop will take office as of January 1, 2022.

I have had the incredible privilege and honour of serving you for the past 15 years — 11.5 years as your bishop, as well as an additional 3.5 years as the Assistant to the Bishop. It has been a remarkable experience and I am so very grateful to you all.

You have welcomed me into your faith communities. I have enjoyed countless pot-luck dinners and conversations. I have heard your stories of faith and life. I have experienced the breadth of ministry being carried out by you in your congregations and ministries. You have shared with me your love and care for your communities. I have seen parts of this province that I might otherwise not have seen. We have spent time together in discernment, reflection, challenge, and heartache. I have journeyed with you in joys, struggles, celebration and conflict.

Over the years, I have tried to offer wise counsel, a listening ear, and advice and guidance for moving forward. I have tried to be faithful, future-oriented, and hopeful; to help us move beyond some of the things that cause us to be closed in, unsure of ourselves, or perhaps afraid to try new things.

Through it all, we have journeyed as God’s people, united in mission and ministry, being strengthened in our faith, and nourished for the journey.

This decision to retire has not come easily. But I know it is time. Our synod now enters a time of discernment — a liminal space — as God guides us in the election of our new bishop. As we have prayed so often during these past years, I would like to close with the prayer that we have used time and again during our missional process:

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(ELW, p. 317)

Peace be with you all,

Bishop Greg Mohr

All are invited to join us for our last outdoor service of 2021 (weather permitting)  as we celebrate the Season of Creation. We will gather in the North Parking Lot for a Service of the Word and Prayer.

Pastor Vida will engage the children in a conversation about Creation Care and bless their prayer boats (kits to be distributed) that will be sent to world leaders as they gather for COP26 - the UN Climate Change Conference November 9-19 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Coffee and cookies will be served following the service. 

What is Orange Shirt Day?

• A time to remember the lives of Indigenous children who attended residential schools in Canada
• A day to inspire Canadians to be pro-active in promoting anti-racism and anti-bullying in schools and in the workplace
• To learn more about Reconciliation and how we can become more involved in making a change

Please consider wearing orange on September 30^th, or if you wish you can purchase a shirt from various online stores, or design your own..

https://www.orangeshirtday.org/shirts--gifts.html
https://dreamcatcherpromotions.com/promotional-product/every-child-matters-orange-shirt-day/
http://www.orangeshirtday.net/