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Dear Friends

Pentecost, also called Sag Shavuot ("Festival of the Weeks"), by Jewish congregations is the second of the three Pilgrim Festivals of the Jewish religious calendar. It was originally an agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest. During rabbinic times the festival became associated with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, on the basis of Exodus 19:1 "On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai."

Celebration of Shavuot occurs on the 50th day, or seven weeks, after the sheaf offering of the harvest celebrated during Passover. The holiday is therefore also called Pentecost from the Greek pentecoste ("50th").

The church's transformation of the Jewish feast to a Christian festival was thus related to the belief that the gift of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus was the first fruits of a new grace that fulfilled and succeeded the old grace of the Law.

The Christian festival of Pentecost, unlike Easter, is not rooted in Judaism but is based upon the narrative of Acts 2, recording the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples and the launching of the church's mission to all peoples on the Pentecost that followed the Lord's Resurrection. In the early church, Christians often referred to the entire 50-day period following Easter as Pentecost. Baptism was administered both at the beginning (Easter) and end (the day of Pentecost) of the season.

Eventually, Pentecost became a more popular time for baptism than Easter in northern Europe, and in England the feast was commonly called White Sunday (Whitsunday) for the special white garments worn by the newly baptized. In The First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549), the feast was officially called Whitsunday, and this name has continued in many Anglican churches.

Many will remember that in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer all Sundays after Pentecost are Sundays after Trinity, while since 1985 and the introduction of the Book of Alternative Services we, along with most mainline churches have returned to a much more ancient tradition of dating these Sundays after Pentecost.

The Season of Pentecost, the longest season in our liturgical calendar, will extend for 24 weeks. From June 8 to November 29 almost 6 months.

Report from the Administrator

We are ending the program year on a high note by showing our appreciation for all those who help at St. Catherine's in any capacity, be it as a member of a guild, a reader, coffee maker, painter, singer, etc. etc. If you give of your time in any way to our church you are invited to a cheese and wine party on Saturday, June 21st from 3 - 5 pm. Childcare will be arranged if there is a need, please let me know by June 1st if you will be bringing your children. Hope to see you there!

Just a reminder that, during the summer, the office will be open in the mornings only. I will be taking my vacation from July 14th-25th and August 4th - 8th; the ever-helpful receptionists will be available in the mornings to help while I am away.

I wish you all a relaxing, healthful and enjoyable summer!

Susan Kimm-Jones

Recordings of Sunday Services

Did you know that the 10 am Sunday Service is recorded every week? The tapes are then delivered to parishioners who are unable to attend church. When the "shut-ins" have finished listening to them, the tapes are stored in the Church Office where anyone is welcome to borrow them. Our thanks to Arthur Poole for carrying out this ministry.

Servers' Guild

The Servers' Guild has grown since the beginning of the year and now has 12 members. There have been two training sessions and the Rev. John Mash
Commissioned the Servers on April 12. We want to thank everyone who is
participating as a server and to reinforce how important a ministry it is. There have been several comments from the congregation on how nice it is to have a full complement each week.

A BBQ and party is planned for June 27, to wind up the season.

We are not going to make a formal schedule for the summer months because it is so difficult with people away on holidays. There is a sign up sheet in the sacristy and we would ask the servers and their parents to look at it and if there is a Sunday in which you will be in church, please consider serving. We still do need servers during the summer.

It would be nice to have more servers. If anyone is interested in joining the Servers' Guild, please contact the Church Office.

Servers Team
Joe Coogan, Vivian McGie and Heather Luccock

Outreach News:
Developing Countries Farm Radio Network
(Excerpts from Network News - May 2003)

At Farm Radio Network we know that radio is the only way to reach millions of victims of conflict. Rural people in dozens of countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan, can benefit from programs that help them produce food and stay healthy in refugee camps, or help them return to their fields to plant food crops. Radio programs that promote "survival crops" or how to rebuild seed supplies, how to grow food in a refugee camp, and special health issues of refugee camps have been developed for distribution to our radio partners.

Scheduled for distribution this summer are scripts and broadcast material on conflict and conflict resolution. We suggest practical ways that broadcasters can work with rural communities to facilitate meaningful dialogues about peace and tolerance.

The power of radio can make a real difference to communities affected by conflict.

Dear Friends at St. Catherine's,

We would like to express heartfelt thanks to our many friends at St. Catherine's who offered their support and condolences during the past weeks after the loss of our father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather, Fred Grundy. Your thoughtful gestures and kind words helped greatly to ease the burden of this difficult passage.

Sincerely,
Nairn and Bonnie Grundy

Spring Fling 10th May 2003. (Social event)

This was a great success thanks to the efforts of Sheila and Tim Folkman, Heather Peacock and Peggy Trendell-Jenson. We had about 35 parents and 25 children attend. The ratio was half preschool parents and half from the church families.

Comments received from preschool parents: Can we do this again? Can we help? Great that St.Catherines did this and how much they appreciated our efforts especially as there are so little events where families can get together to chat and the children are entertained.

The Garden of Daily Living

Plant three rows of Peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of Squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of Lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be patient
Lettuce love one another

No garden is complete without Turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another

To conclude our garden, we must have Thyme:
Thyme for family
Thyme for each other
Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

Neighbourlink News

Churches and individuals donate funds to Neighbourlink to ensure the payment of monthly expenses for office, telephone, insurance etc.

These are a few of the activities in January and February of this year which your support has made possible:

• 85 year old client was driven to and from Inglewood Lodge every Monday for a visit with her husband.
• Several disabled folks had a driver to help run errands to the bank, grocery, pharmacy, etc.
• Unwell mother and daughter had food delivered from the food bank three Wednesdays a month.
• Senior had help to take down, launder and replace drapes and wash windows.
• Many disabled and elderly folks were driven to doctor appointments.
• Several seniors had help to clean their apartments.
• 88 year old lady was driven three times a week to visit her husband in a care facility.
• About 20 shut-ins a week phone in their grocery orders to Neighbourlink volunteers at Lynn Valley Safeway.
• Seniors, disabled, newcomers, single parents, people leaving shelters and safe houses received beds, sofas, dressers etc.
  

Parish Guild News

We are pleased to report that we have renovated the kitchen in the rectory. This was our main project for the first half of 2003.

Diocesan Synod 2003

The 101st Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster was held at the Capilano
College Sportsplex on May 30 and 31. The delegates present from St. Catherine's were John Mash, Linda Robertson, Daphne Martin, Alison Watt and Michael Ashby.

The Synod opened with a beautiful Eucharist service. After routine announcements, messages and other regular business had been dealt with, Bishop Michael Ingham made a statement on the implementation of Motion 7 at the 2002 Synod. He urged everyone to move forward beyond the division caused by the same-sex blessings issue. He stated that we are in the spotlight of attention as a diocese and that in some parts of the world homosexual people are still treated as criminals, sometimes with the support of the church. In Canada this discrimination and prejudice are rapidly decreasing.

A National Church update was presented. Archbishop Michael Peers retires in February 2004 and the new Primate will be chosen at the General Synod to be held in St. Catharines the following May. According to a recent survey, Anglicans consider that the main issues affecting the church in Canada are declining attendance, ageing congregations, the importance of attracting young people, the same-sex blessings issue and the $ 25 million national settlement in respect of residential schools.

A two-hour session on the Diocese's $ 5.2 million capital campaign was led by Ketchum of Canada, professional fundraisers. Their survey showed that many clergy and lay people are prepared to assume leadership roles in a capital campaign. Each parish present at Synod was asked to fill in a questionnaire measuring enthusiasm for such a campaign. The five St.
Catherine's delegates were strongly in favour.

A resolution was put forward requesting Bishop Michael to suspend the blessing of covenanted same-sex unions until possible resolution of this issue at the 2004 General Synod and to uphold the 1997 Guidelines of the House of Bishops on human sexuality. After a lengthy and often
emotional debate the motion was defeated in a recorded vote 181 - 85.

On the second day of Synod there was a two-hour presentation of Get Fit, a program under which each parish would undertake a ministry assessment every three years. This would involve three parties - the parish congregation, the rector and the Diocese. There would be three steps - the telling of the parish story, an assessment of parish ministry health and the designing and
celebration of a new covenant in ministry. Our Parish Council is having a retreat on June 14 at which this program will be discussed.

The second day also included reports on Stewards-in-Action and the Vancouver School of Theology as well as an interesting presentation on the extensive renovations now underway on the interior of Christ Church Cathedral.

St. Catherine's Help Wanted Line

Over the last several months many people in the congregation have experienced debilities in one way or another. Going to the doctor or getting groceries and medications can be major hurdles. As a result, it has been decided to form a
Help Wanted Line so that we can minister to one another and reduce stress for those who are indisposed.

The support offered will vary from situation to situation but could include picking up groceries or medications, driving people to doctor's appointments, "emergency" housework etc. Certain types of assistance will be not be available due to legal reasons: transporting unaccompanied children, financial transactions, nursing or ongoing homemaking services.

We have a group of five people who will receive the requests for help and arrange for volunteers. Now we are looking for as many parishioners as possible who are willing to be on the volunteer roster. Please sign up at the information table or in the Church office if you would like to help with this important ministry.

Sunday School
Very shortly the regular Sunday School classes will be finishing, but this does not mean that Sunday School ends! From June 15th right through to August 30th there will be Sunday School classes for children up to 11 years old.

Summer Fun

Who: All children up to 11 are welcome.
What: For stories, activities and fun!
Where: St. Catherine's Godkin Hall, first classroom.
When: Every Sunday - June 15th to August 30th at 10:00 am

Ministry Opportunity
There are still a few opportunities left for leaders of this year's Summer Fun Program. No experience necessary. Supplies provided. Please contact Gaye McCance at 604-987-7505 if you can help with this important ministry.

St. Catherine's Senior Youth Group

Hi everyone.

Missed the last installment so I have some catching up to do. The Teen Group is taking on a life of its own. They have made their own web site done their own promotional video and they have grown together into a unique and fun bunch.

We have students from 5 different schools attending regularly and they range in age from 13 to 18. They are one of the largest and most diverse groups I've had in the past 6 years and I think they are having as much fun as I am.

Most nights we have been at the church or at local fields burning off lots of energy with games that resemble soccer, football, rugby or floor hockey but they usually end up as an unrecognizable mixture with made up and very flexible rules.

We have finally repainted the teen room with a zebra / Pentecost motif and made it habitable with a freshly sanded wood floor, compliments of some hard working youth.

We attended the Handsworth Dramatic Performance at Centennial Theatre with several of the Youth Group as participants. Once again this years original script and music was a great success.

My favorite event was the 3rd annual Easter Vigil, which includes everyone who has been in the Teen group in the past along with current members. It was a perfect night. Everyone had a part in the service. The tide crept up during the service and just as it sizzled at the edge of the fire it subsided leaving our source of light untouched and brightly burning. It was a wonderful symbol of the Light of Christ in our lives protecting us from the dark and cold moments in our lives. Then we had a quick cold dip in the ocean to continue the tradition before heading back home thoroughly refreshed physically and spiritually.

As the days get longer we will be going further afield to the beach and for bike rides in the Demonstration forest. All teens are welcome. Come check out FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS!!!!

Paul Clark

ACW News

At our last meeting on May 13th we voted $1,700 to various outreach projects which is our custom. Last year were able to dispense $5,400 in the Spring. The difference in the amounts was a result of not being able to hold the Spring rummage sale this year. We were unable to do this because the work has become too heavy for our members due to advancing age and infirmities. We would welcome new members to enable us to carry on in the fall and also volunteers to help with the New to You Sale which will be held October 25th.

Contributions of good, clean, used clothing and accessories, linens and jewellery can be dropped off throughout the summer at the Church.

We were greatly saddened by the sudden death of Mrs. Merle MacDonald on March 4th, 2003. She was a valued member of the ACW for many years and had been Treasurer for six years just prior to her passing, in addition to being a dear and much-loved friend to us all.

Oonagh McDonald

Anglican Church Women

A.C.W. is a community of Anglican Church Women gathered together in Christian service to support and promote the total mission of the church through prayer, work and stewardship.

This purpose is achieved through inspirational and informative programs which are offered at both the parish and diocesan meetings of the A.C.W.

Programs encompass contemporary social issues, bible study, ecumenical topics, P.W.R.D.F., World Council of Churches, Stewards in Action, overseas projects and many others.

Membership is open to all women in the Anglican Church who accept the purposes and by-laws of the A.C.W. and who make an annual contribution to the A.C.W. Diocesan budget through a local A.C.W. Parish group.

St. Catherine's A.C.W. helps to support the budget of the diocesan board of the Anglican Church Woman. This helps maintain the upkeep of W.A. Memorial House which is vital to the outreach of the north. Bales of donated clothing and knitted toques, mittens, layettes are packed at the house. 20-30 bales are sent two to three times a year to churches in Northern BC and the Yukon where there is a great need.

In addition, at St. Catherine's, we contribute to the United thank offering which has been in existence since 1897. Each A.C.W. branch makes a collection of small change (pennies, nickels and dimes); last year we collected $59 just by emptying our wallets! This offering helps local charities such as Camp Artaban, Mission to Seafarers, St. James Community Service Society, Guide Dogs for the Blind etc. as well as the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund.

Baptisms :

Blake Atom Dal Santo
Boothe Daniel Davies
Kelsea Nicole Oliver
Rosalie Anne Marie Thirkell

April 27th

Weddings:

Desirée Eugenné Walker
and
Alexander Hammond Hicks

May 10th

Confirmations:

Laura Elizabeth Eilers
Lisa Brittany Eilers
Jessica Ashley Holland
David Robert McMordie
Janet Elizabeth McMordie
Kristina Rachelle Turner
Stefanie Maureen Turner
Johannes Eliot Rebane
Gabrielle Ruth Williams

April 27th

Funerals :

Frederick Thomas Grundy

May 6