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Welcome to St. Catherine's!Hello, family of Christ! I’m looking forward to the rich “vine” language of Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18 that we’ll explore on Sunday. Some of you may know that I worked in the Napa Valley for several years (lucky me, right?) as well as at the Bishop’s Ranch in Sonoma, so vine metaphors for life in God resonate deeply. In these sultry August weeks, I can still smell fruit-laden air, picture grape trucks rumbling up-valley to crush pads, recall exhausted agricultural workers filing out of vineyards after all-night harvest sessions. Such a labour of love and such excellent fruit… Unlike those memories, Isaiah and the psalmist describe a vineyard gone to ruin, only producing wild grapes despite all the care lavished upon it. Some pastors read these lines and derive a message of “God takes sin seriously… and will destroy”, but I’m more drawn more to the exquisite language of divine care and tending of the beloved vineyard. God’s anger is never the end of any story in Scripture, but rather the Divine mercy that makes all things new again out of a superabundance of love. I’m wondering whether there are corners of your spiritual vineyard that may be a little underwatered in this season of life? Where are the places – individually and in communities – that are producing wild grapes and could use our prayer and TLC? Or perhaps a long spell of unvaried “spiritual agriculture” has left your “soil” feeling overworked and depleted? What kind of tending does your spiritual vine long for right now? How can we meet that need together? I’ll leave you with the late Australian-American poet Nicolette Stasko’s poem Wild Grapes, capturing the latent beauty and potential of a vineyard that has grown wild, but still has the ability to nourish the birds that come to it seeking sustenance. In the days ahead, let’s ask ourselves, where are the wild grapes in our life? And then bring them to God, show him the weeds, and listen for the gardening of the soul to which He may be calling us. In Christ and in community, Rev. Sarah __________
This Sunday August 17, 2025 we will share a Service of the Word Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin: To access the livestream, click on the button below. Image: Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), Solomon Had a Vineyard, 1927, woodcut, Gift of Nathan Rubison, Philadelphia Museum of Art |
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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 end of day today (Friday, August 15).
Click 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.
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Spiritual Formation: Take This Bread by Sara MilesWe'll take up a contemporary spiritual memoir in September, reading Sara Miles' fabulous Take This Bread. Paperbacks are now available at the church office (by donation). 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. |
