Last week, I mentioned that I was about to attend the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster along with St. Catherine’s synod delegates Tony Dodd and Billy Garton.  This week I thought I’d share three of the highlights for me from Synod (which I also mentioned last week at Soul Food Sunday). 

Firstly, the report from the parishes of St. Augustine’s, Marpole and St. Barnabas, New Westminster on their food programs.  St. Augustine’s serve a weekly sit-down meal to people in their neighbourhood as well as a weekly grocery distribution program, and St. Barnabas offers a weekly grocery distribution for people in their neighbourhood plus a full Christmas dinner on Christmas Day.  The thing that impressed me about both these programs was how these relatively small churches are having a big impact in their communities.  Punching above their weight, you could say.  Part of the reason for this is that some of the people who have benefited from these programs have become volunteers to help administer them – a way of giving back, paying it forward.

The second thing from Synod is the Centre for Spiritual Renewal.   This is actually a network of parishes that offer courses and programs, either online or in-person, to promote spiritual renewal and growth.  It began with St. Dunstan’s, Aldergrove, and has grown to include now five parishes.  Perhaps this is something that St. Catherine’s might consider becoming a part of…

The third thing is also to do with spiritual growth and development and that is the Diocese of New Westminster’s Learning Centre under the direction of Rev. Jessica Schaap.  This is really a hub for all sorts of courses, online or in-person, some offered by the Diocese and others in partnership with others, such as the certification programs in conjunction with Vancouver School of Theology.  For example, the one on Spiritual and Pastoral Care.

It was great to see such a good turnout for Soul Food Sunday last week!  Great food, great company!  Celebrating the Ascension of Jesus, we were also reminded that it was also Jerusalem Sunday.  So, I shared a current appeal by the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre inviting support to train new doctors.  Established in 1961, the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre (JPBC) is a charitable, non-governmental, non-profit organization operating under the Anglican Episcopal Church within the Diocese of Jerusalem. The center originally treated children with Polio-Paralysis and Cerebral Palsy and has adapted over the years to provide comprehensive rehabilitation and inclusive education to children with a range of disabilities in Palestine. Its core work today is the integration, education and empowerment of Palestinian children with disabilities, with a base in Jerusalem, a satellite unit in Gaza and an Outreach Program to reach communities across the West Bank.  The JPBC has been identified by the Palestinian Ministry of Health as their main referral center for children with disabilities. It is a member of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network and holds Joint Commission for International Accreditation for quality health services. If you would like to know more (and perhaps make a contribution), please visit their website.

This coming Sunday, we will be celebrating Pentecost, originally a Jewish harvest festival, it is when we remember the Holy Spirit coming among the followers of Jesus like a “violent wind” as they gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to pray.  “Tongues of fire” appeared among them and rested on each of them, and they began to proclaim the great deeds of God in languages they had never spoken.  A portent of the universal and inclusive reach of the good news of Jesus.  This story is told in our first reading, Acts 2:1-21.  Our psalm this week is a song of the creation which is animated by the Presence and Spirit of God by which they are not only created but the face of the earth itself is renewed.  Romans 8:14-17 reminds us and assured us that those who are led by the Spirit are children of God, and so share in divine life.

In our Gospel reading (John 14:8-17), as well as the promise of the Holy Spirit, we have an anticipation of next Sunday (Trinity) as Jesus tells Phillip (and the other disciples) at the last supper that if they have seen him they have seen the Father (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).  He then goes on to promise that just as Jesus shares in the divine life of the Father, so those who follow him will share in Jesus’s own life, and that “whatever you ask the Father in my name I will do.”  I wonder what you make of that.  I confess that I find it problematic.  It seems to suggest that we have miraculous powers… and whilst I do not deny the miraculous, it doesn’t seem to be as easy as it appears.  Come on Sunday (or connect with the livestream) to see what we might make of this!

Looking forward to seeing everyone who’ll be there on Sunday.

Blessings+ on your weekending,

Angus

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This Sunday June 8, 2025 will hosting a Traditional Service

Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin:
Sunday June 8, 2025

Presider and Preacher: Rev. Angus Stuart
Our Summer Guest Musician is Heyjung Oh and Choir

To access the livestream, click on the button below.
Previous livestreamed services and sermon notes can be found on the website here.

Image: Titian, approximately 1488-1576, Vanderbilt