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Journey
of a Family Chapter
12: 1989 - 1993
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During 1989 there was considerable discussion
about how St. Catherine's could relate more effectively to the
Capilano Highlands community. There was interest in using our
property to provide much needed seniors' housing. As well, there
was interest in enlarging or renovating church buildings to
make them more welcoming and useful for all ages. The Vision
Task Force was constituted to examine these matters and to develop
proposals for consideration by parishioners. After considerable
study it was found that the development of seniors' housing
would be prohibitively expensive because of the need to acquire
additional land and to excavate the bedrock that is just below
the surface of the existing property. Accordingly, this aspect
of the work of the Vision Task Force was abandoned.
Barry Waterlow left St. Catherine's in the Spring of 1989 and
the parish was sorry to lose, not only a fine organist but a
sincere and devout Anglican. The church was fortunate in obtaining
the services of another gifted musician when Catherine Willard,
the present organist and choir director arrived in the Fall.
She has introduced the choir and congregation to many challenging
musical works, hymns and settings. St. Catherine's boasts a
choir of fine caliber, well able to meet the challenges. Further
good news was the increased growth in the church family. One
of the indications of the growth was the need for additional
mailings and increased number of telephone calls to the office.
As a result of the extra demands, a corps of volunteer receptionists
was formed to answer telephone calls and work in the office,
as required. This effective addition to the daily routine of
the parish has been praised by visitors and callers to the church.
The necessary and growing trend in churches for many years has
been the increase in lay leadership. In 1989 the Parish Council
recognized the need to examine the organizational structure
at St. Catherine's, and as a result a plan was implemented that
would not only increase lay involvement in parish affairs, but
also ease the burden of responsibility for the clergy and help
groups to relate to one another. Worship, Administration and
Finance Program, Resource Development and Mission Development
units, with chairpersons, were established as umbrellas under
which the various church groups would operate. Since the plan
was implemented the structure has been re-defined. A glance
at a list of the 45 church groups in 1993 would give some indication
of how parish activity has increased and expanded since 1948.
In 1989 the parish considered operating a preschool as a church
program. For a number of years a preschool had been located
at St. Catherine's but with no church affiliation. When the
teacher indicated her intention to retire and close the school,
Parish Council felt it would be a loss to the community and
so a plan was formulated. It would be an understatement to say
that much work was involved in order to realize that plan. It
is no exaggeration to say that the Reverend Wilfred Sullivan
was the main drive behind the establishment of the preschool.
In addition to his regular duties he spent months obtaining
the necessary licensing and approvals. Murray Clark supervised
the renovations to Godkin Hall where the preschool would be
located. An improved and enlarged outdoor play area was mandatory.
A large group of workers, headed by Doug Anderson and Doug Denison
created a magnificent playground and deck on the north side
of Gower Hall. It also provides a peaceful setting for outdoor
Eucharists, meetings and social gatherings. A board of administrators
was appointed and in addition many people in the parish played
a major role in the process of establishing the school. St.
Catherine's Child Care Society became a reality and the first
classes opened on January 4, 1990. At the start of the new school
year in September a program was in place which, as Wilfred stated
in his annual report to the parish, "...(taught) children
Christian values in the context of a secure, caring community."
In 1990 the national church instituted the Stewards for Life
Program and St. Catherine's was among the parishes in the Diocese
of New Westminster to adopt the project. A committee was appointed
and charged with the task of reminding parishioners that we
should be responsible stewards of every aspect of God's creation.
A number of events, including two workshops, helped to correct
the common misconception that stewardship refers only to our
financial gifts.
In February 1990, after months of waiting, St. Catherine's parish
welcomed the Chap family from Cambodia. The Refugee Committee
had initiated the process of parish sponsorship in 1989. Obviously,
it is not a pre-requisite that sponsored refugees become Anglicans,
but when Chap Sem and his wife Soum decided they wished their
family to be baptised in 1991 there was great rejoicing within
their new family at St. Catherine's. Since their arrival they
have become very much a part of the life of the parish, and
independent, contributing citizens. Funded entirely by individual
contributions from parishioners, the refugee program was in
a position to sponsor a second family in 1991. Zanub Ibrahim
and her sons Yassir and Mazhar arrived in Vancouver in July
1992. After more than a year the sponsorship application was
approved and the parish welcomed the family. Donations of furniture
etc, which had been collected in readiness, were delivered to
the Ibrahims. In 1993 Refugee Chair Mary Pike and her committee
began another process that would have led to the sponsorship
of a young man from Somalia. He had been hiding in Kenya and
was not registered as a refugee. After months of unsuccessful
negotiations with local immigration aud1orities d1e committee
had no option but to withdraw sponsorship. Mary's successor,
Alison Watt, will keep in touch with the young man's sister
and it is hoped that the way may be cleared at some future date
for his sponsorship.
At the 1990 Diocesan Synod William Pike was appointed Regional
Dean of d1e North Vancouver Deanery and insta1l~d for a second
term at the 1992 Synod.
In 45 years there have been a great number of young people who
have grown up at St. Catherine's and have moved on to successful
careers. It is dangerous to choose just one story but here it
is: Greg Kerr-Wilson was 12 years old when his family moved
to Vancouver in 1974 and joined St. Catherine's Church. He was
an active member and later leader of the youth group, a server,
a Sunday School teacher and he also sang in the choir. He was
drawn to the ministry through his friend the Reverend David
Holeton who was part-time assistant at St. Catherine's and rector
of St. Richard's Church, Norgate Park. However, he entered the
Engineering Faculty at UBC and graduated in 1985. The following
year he married Vicki Evans, another St. Catherine's parishioner.
By then he had known for some time that he wished to become
a priest and after much prayer and searching he entered Nashota
House seminary in Wisconsin. He graduated in 1989 and was ordained
deacon at St. James Cathedral, Toronto later that year. He was
priested in May 1990 at St. Paul's Church, Toronto where he
was an assistant. He and Vicki and their two children, Jeremy
and Asha now live in Brampton, Ontario, where Greg is rector
of Holy Family Church.
After nearly two years at St. Catherine's, the Reverend Wilfred
Sullivan resigned at the end of June 1991. He had contributed
much in many areas and parishioners wished him well in the new
direction of his ministry.
Parish vision was again a matter of discussion and some controversy
in 1991. Architects had been engaged and had worked with the
Vision Task Force to produce proposals on how the parish might
remodel the premises. A scale model was displayed, embodying
major changes to the buildings and grounds, but after much consultation
and debate Parish Council decided to defer further action. The
matter prompted William to comment in his 1991 report that "...it
is essential to wrestle with what we should do if we are to
keep in touch with the modern age ..." One is reminded
of similar remarks of former rectors Archdeacon Greig, the Reverend
John Godkin and the Reverend Ian Grant, all of whom recognized
continuing societal pressure and warned against resisting the
challenge of change. In their 1991 report, and in a similar
vein, Rector's Warden Frank Willis and People's Warden John
Ellis acknowledged that while" harmonious achieving of
consensus may be the most difficult task we have faced for some
time ... few would disagree that there is a need for renovations
and improvements to our facilities". They continued, "A
useful and energetic beginning has been made. What is now called
for is a systematic examination of alternatives, and a prayerful
seeking out of Gods purposes for us at St. Catherines.
Since the first donation of the offering from the outdoor service
in June 1948 that enabled a flood victim to attend Camp Artaban,
St. Catherine's has been firmly committed to outreach. Each
year parishioners have responded to the urgent and continuing
need outside the borders of St. Catherine's community and each
year the total contribution has risen; in 1992 parishioners
donated more than $18,000 for the Primate's World Relief and
Development Fund and the Pregnant and Parenting Youth program
at the North Shore Neighbourhood House. This amount was in addition
to monies given to the Refugee ministry, Stewards in Action,
the various outreach projects of the Anglican Church Women and
individual donations. Many St. Catherine's people individually
support a number of programs outside the parish by volunteer
work with such institutions as Meals on Wheels, Flying Angel
Club, Missions to Seamen and the Food Bank.
Following the departure of the Reverend Wilfred Sullivan the
parish decided against securing the services of a second priest
at that time. Vancouver School of Theology student Beverley
Stewart came to St Catherine's during the Fall of 1991 and among
her duties she assumed the leadership of the Kerygma courses
and worked with the Preschool.
1991 marked the centennial of the District of North Vancouver
and among the Distinguished Citizens recognized were parishioners
Doug Kinvig, Barbara Tarr, Rob Watt, Frank Willis, John Webster,
Gail McCance and Derek Inman (posthumously). To mark the 125th
anniversary of Confederation in 1992 the federal government
awarded commemorative medals to citizens who had made a significant
contribution to Canada, their communities and their fellow Canadians.
A deserving recipient was Phoebe Stenson who was presented with
her medal by her Member of Parliament, the late Chuck Cook.
Doug Kinvig and Barbara Tarr again were honoured by their Member
of Parliament, Mary Collins, and received their medals from
British Columbia Lieutenant Governor David Lam.
On March 31, 1993 another active and long-time member of St.
Catherine's, Phyllis Mittlestead received the Boys and Girls
Club of Greater Vancouver 1992 Friend of Youth Award for her
untiring volunteer work with abused children. An article in
the Vancouver Sun outlined the unending contribution Phyllis
has made over twenty years in the field of child abuse, abusive
families and dating violence and added that she helps with "fund-raising
projects at her church." Well, her church work is not limited
to fund-raising. Phyllis has been an active member of the Anglican
Church Women for many years, is currently on Parish Council
and for the second time in six years a member of the Canonical
Committee. As if that is not enough she takes her turn at making
bread for the Sunday Eucharist. Phyllis' family has had a connection
with St. Catherine's since the earliest days when her father
Barry Girling, an active member of St. John The Divine, played
a major role in the establishment and growth of the parish.
The Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club, Rick Ryan,
has known Phyllis for many years and her friends at St. Catherine's
agree with his statement that "Our community is a much
better place today because of Phyllis Mittlestead."
In September William voiced the feelings of the parish when
he acknowledged the service of Nancy McColl who was leaving
her job as church secretary after five years. The position,
re-named Parish Administrator, had been up-graded to full-time,
and included more responsibility. Susan Kimm-Jones, a member
of the parish, was the successful applicant for the position
and joined the staff in September.
In 1982 a memorial fund was established to allow members of
the parish and other interested persons to make contributions
either during their lifetimes or by means of bequest. At the
1993 annual meeting the vestry established on the records of
the parish two new and separate funds to be known individually
as the Parish Initiatives Fund and the Parish Capital Development
Fund. These funds are to be known collectively as the St. Catherine's,
Capilano Parish Endowment Funds.
The purpose of the Parish Initiatives Fund is to enable the
parish to respond faithfully to God's call to minister in a
wide field of mission. Expenditures from the fund will be made
from the income earned on the capital of the fund. Both capital
and income from the Capital Development Fund can be used for
capital improvements for facilities at St. Catherine's or to
help finance new parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster.
These funds will be managed by three administrators elected
by the vestry and assisted by an advisory committee appointed
by the Parish Council.
All capital, income and property received for, the funds will
be invested in the Consolidated Trust Fund of the Diocese of
New Westminster and the initial $45,000 from the funds was invested
in March 1993.
1993 began with the announcement by Archbishop Hambidge that
he would be retiring in May and accepting the voluntary position
of principal of a theological college in Tanzania.
St. Catherine's had barely digested that news, when on February
14th William informed the parish that he had decided to accept
an invitation from Christ Church in Calgary to become their
rector. Knowing his humility and selflessness, St. Catherine's
parishioners were in no doubt that William had reached his decision
after much thought and prayer. This was a calling he could not
ignore. It seems appropriate that this book ends with the final
months of William's ministry at St. Catherine's, Capilano. His
sermon on February 28 stressed the need to look ahead in faith.
At the same service Phoebe Stenson led the Prayers of the People
that echoed William's words: |
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"Save
us, O Lord, as a parish from being inward looking or backward
looking in the work of this church. Help us to take our eyes
off ourselves and turn them on the world around, to be concerned
less with what we have accomplished and more with what remains
to be done, that with our vision enlarged and our love rekindled
we may go forward to attempt new and greater things to your
glory." |
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