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Welcome to St. Catherine's!Dear St. Catherine’s family, Where are you this summer? I don’t mean in physical terms – staycationing or at the cabin – but where are you in your prayer life? Is summer playing with the rhythms and ways of your daily prayer? Do the long, bright days mean a shift for your usual times and places for checking in with God? Maybe this season is a good time to try out new ways of prayer. If your usual prayer go-to is morning or evening prayer or compline, why not try something contemplative: walking prayer or breath prayer or movement prayer? Or vice versa: if you usual mode is contemplative, what might be waiting for you in the set word prayers of the BCP or Book of Alternative Services? Our Sunday gospel reading from Luke follows on the heels of last week’s passage in which Jesus instructed his disciples about how to pray. This week, the emphasis is on storing up “treasures in heaven” and de-emphasizing material possessions. We can really read the two passages together: how to pray (last week) and what not to pray for (this week)! It makes me realize how much of our prayer life often centres on petition – perhaps not asking for material things, but asking for favour, help, health, blessing. How would prayer feel different if petition was the smallest component of our prayer lives instead? I hope that in the coming days, you’ll find a quiet space and time to focus prayer on gratitude, rather than petition. Listening, rather than telling or asking. Asking “what are your plans for me?” and “To whom can I show your love?” or maybe even just sitting in companionable silence with the one who created you. Let me know how shifting your prayer pattern feels and how God is moving with you! In Christ and in community, Rev. Sarah
This Sunday August 3, 2025 we will share a Service of the Word - Rev. Sarah (preaching & presiding) Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin: To access the livestream, click on the button below. Image: A Visio Lectio for Luke 12:13-21 by Rev. Sarah West |
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Conversations with Rev SarahGet to know our new Rev. Sarah over summery refreshments, play a quick round of know-your-clergy trivia, and share your vision for St. Catherine's in community. This is also a time to hear updates about our property development process. Your RSVP for the date/time that suits you best is required by noon on Friday, August 15.
Click here to register.
In-person gatherings Zoom gathering |
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Summer Worship ScheduleIn these slower rhythms of summer, we will share Holy Communion twice a month and feast deeply on Scripture and prayer with a Service of the Word on other Sundays. Rev. Sharon Salomons, who is familiar to many parishioners, will join us to consecrate on our Holy Communion Sundays in July and August. Look below for our summer schedule of services and know that weekly Communion will resume in September, with Soul Food Sundays returning in October. Aug. 3: Service of the Word - Rev. Sarah |
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Spiritual Formation: Take This Bread by Sara MilesRegister online to receive the Zoom link We'll take up a contemporary spiritual memoir in September, reading Sara Miles' fabulous Take This Bread. Paperbacks are on order and will be at the church in 2-3 weeks (or sooner), to get a jump on reading. It's also available as an audiobook on Audible ($.99 with your membership, for a limited time). Sara Miles is a former war correspondent, cook, and atheist, whose life took a dramatic turn when she wandered into a San Francisco church one day, received communion, and found her life transformed — embracing a faith that she'd once scorned. Miles' faith took physical shape addressing real hunger, real food, and real bodies with a new model for addressing food insecurity, eventually blossoming into nearly a dozen food pantries in the city's poorest neighbourhoods. Her experience prompts great discussion about the Eucharist, our sacramental lives, living out our baptismal vows, and innovative contemporary worship — and offers a glimpse of life at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, where our own Rev. Sarah's vocation first took shape. Sara Miles is a galvanizing speaker and preacher and will give the 2025 public G. Peter Kaye Lecture at the Vancouver School of Theology on the evening of Thursday, October 2, plus a workshop the following day. We'll organize a carpool to attend (or watch via livestream) to cap off our discussions. |
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August Office Vacation ScheduleAugust will be full of preparations for the Fall but before the Fall: the office staff will be going on vacation. The week of August 5th - Natasha will be out of the office from August 5th through August 7th and back in the office Friday August 8th at her regular time. Rev. Sarah will be at Camp Artaban the week of August 11th and back for Sunday service on Sunday August 17th. Kingsley will be out of the office from Wednesday August 20th until the 24th. All emails and phone calls will have to wait until all parties are back on their respective days. |
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Camp Artaban Visitors' DayEver wondered what's on offer at Camp Artaban for kids, grandkids, or as a retreat or celebration venue — or maybe you were once an Artaban camper and want to see what's new and updated today? Camp's annual Visitors' Day will be Thursday, August 14 — and you can see Rev. Sarah in action as co-chaplain for Junior Co-Ed camp that day too!
Water taxi leaves Horseshoe Bay at 9:30 a.m. and departs from the Gambier Island dock at 7 p.m. that same night to catch the Howe Sound sunset on your way back. Bring your lunch and camp will provide a yummy dinner. It’s by far the best way to get a taste of everything that Artaban has to offer: archery, swimming, boating, a climbing wall, hiking, or just relaxing on the dock or in nature.
Cost per adult is $95, $80 for children under 12, and registration is secure and easy online.
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