Provincial council is made up of lay and clerical representatives from the six dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon. Normally, the council meets three times per year, two via Zoom and one in person. As with so many other groups, the council’s in-person meetings were altered by the pandemic. We met together for two days in September at Sorrento Centre for the first time since 2019; it was a joyous occasion.
Rev. Michael Shapcott welcomed us, then gave an update on the happenings at Sorrento Centre. Through their meals program, they have delivered over 90,000 tasty and nutritious breakfasts, lunches and dinners since April of 2020. Most have gone to organizations that work with people who are hungry and some to community meals or other initiatives. They are gearing up for Homecoming 2023, their 60th anniversary. A new Associate Director has been hired. Sorrento works on reconciliation between settlers and Indigenous people, between humans and nature, and among humanity.
Our Eucharist provider was Archbishop Lynne McNaughton. Archbishop Lynne also gave us the highlights of the 15th Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England.
The main focus of the September meeting was a presentation on the emergency preparedness guide for parishes, from Clara Plamondon, our clerical delegate, incumbent at St Paul, Nanaimo and archdeacon of Cowichan Mid-Vancouver Island. This will be circulated to the dioceses as well as posted on the provincial website. There will be an emergency preparedness webinar following the Feb. 4 online meeting; details to be announced.
At council, there is a reporting mechanism for representatives of all dioceses, advisory committee on postulants for ordination (ACPO), Vancouver School of Theology (VST), western education collaborative Anglican network’s Licentiate in Theology (WECAN), BC Yukon Anglican Youth Ministry (BCYAYM), provincial archives, social eco-justice working group (SEJ) and Sorrento Centre.
VST has completed the transformation of classroom space on the first floor into a “Zoom room.” Renovations have begun on the Epiphany Chapel to green the space, renew the building and install technology. In the past year there have been significant gifts, which will enable further field education, provide money towards the Sauder School of Business program and allow for post-doctoral placements in Canada.
BCYAYM states that their primary challenges currently are reaching out to people as they no longer have a solid base of youth because of the pandemic, as well as logistical challenges. SEJ reported on the Season of Creation and pilgrimage programs around the province. Many ideas were generated when we brainstormed about what we can do together as a province.
