In the midst of Lent, I reached out to all the churches in the diocese asking them to share with me any signs of new life that they were witnessing or bringing into being. These are the responses I received, in no particular order. I hope these signs of new life spark joy and a sense of connection across these islands and inlets. Naomi Racz, Editor
St John the Divine and St Andrew’s, Courtenay
Growth and change, in any aspect of our lives, though not pain free, can add a tremendous spark and impetus to any organization. As we begin our new church year following vestry, here at St John the Divine, Courtenay our new parish council is making small but hopefully fruitful changes.
After listening to our parishioners, it became apparent that parishioners sincerely want to help with church activities, but do not want to take on larger leadership positions. So, one of our new focuses this year is “shared leadership.” To that end, we have created a position called “co-chair of fundraising events.” The co-chairs will ask the parishioners for their input on possible fundraising, plan fundraising events (while being mindful of not overtaxing the parish), find chairs (ideally co-chairs) for each event and ensure the co-chairs have the support they need to create the fundraising event easily and joyfully.
Shared leadership will hopefully increase parishioner involvement and sense of ownership, and help avoid burnout of the regular few, who take on the full load of this fundraising ministry. We have faith that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and that faith is our soul’s superpower. We faithfully pray that our “shared leadership” incentives will spark new vitality in our parish.
St John’s Anglican-United, Port Alice
Besides an enthusiastic and participatory worship life, St John’s, Port Alice is active in the community in a variety of ways. A new community outreach started in November 2024. Space is offered free of charge to help support the Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank on a monthly basis.
The food bank’s North Island operations manager, Josh Morgan, writes: “Church members volunteer to help distribute the various foods to over 20 different households each month at the free food market. Rather than prepared hampers, visitors get to choose which foods they want from each category to make it more of a shopping experience from the foods available”.
St Barnabas, Victoria
We’re excited to announce “The Grove,” a dedicated outdoor space behind the administrator’s office at St Barnabas, Victoria. This natural play area is the result of a growing collaboration between Wild Child Playgroup and St Barnabas, rooted in a shared vision of community care, inclusion and support for young families.
Wild Child is a Waldorf-inspired, child-led playgroup that nurtures connection with the natural world around us. Running rain or shine, it gives kids aged 0–7 the permission to get messy, creative, take risks and express joy!
As part of its ongoing mission to serve the neighbourhood, St Barnabas is offering this space as a way to deepen connections between children, caregivers and the wider community. Through The Grove, the church extends its embrace beyond Sunday services, creating room for joyful noise, muddy boots and the sacred work of play.
This program runs on Tuesday mornings.
St Columba, Port Hardy
We would like to welcome our newly appointed part-time ministry team. Bob Gilbert (pictured right) is a recently retired United Church minister who lives in Port Alice. Sheila Cook (pictured left) is an Indigenous Anglican priest who grew up at St Columba and still resides in Port Hardy. We celebrate their joint leadership.
Parish of Salt Spring Island
The Parish of Salt Spring Island would like to acknowledge their new incumbent, Juli Mallett, as a sign of new life in their parish. Juli was appointed incumbent effective March 1.
Church of the Advent, Colwood
Enhancing food security
Following a parish Advent 2030 visioning process at Church of the Advent, Colwood, facilitated by Bishop Logan, food security was identified as a serious issue in Colwood.
Church of the Advent is now taking steps to tackle this issue. As of April 25, Church of the Advent is hosting the West Shore Food Share food stand, as it could no longer be located at its previous location. The food stand provides free food and will be available every Friday, 12-1 p.m. in the church parking lot. Donations to the food share are welcome. The church is delighted to partner on such an important project.
Church of the Advent is also joining the Colwood Garden Society and is in the process of creating a community food garden on the church grounds.
Environmentally conscious teen honoured
Taylor Gossman, who was featured in the April/May 2025 issue of Faith Tides for her work organizing an environmental expo at Church of the Advent, was presented with an award at the Citizens Environment Network’s annual environmental stewardship awards. Taylor was also invited to help plant a tree in her honour in Herms William Park in Colwood.
St Andrew’s, Sidney
St Andrew’s, Sidney has become the first church in the diocese to install solar panels. Parish leaders approved the idea in October 2024 and then received approval from the diocese to proceed.
The church applied for a BC Hydro rebate, reducing the overall cost, which is projected to be recovered in ten years. Annual savings in hydro costs are expected to be around $3,000.
The installation of the solar panels began in April, during Holy Week, and at the time of writing the installation is almost complete. The panels are being installed on the church hall roof as the pitch of the church’s roof was deemed too steep by the contractors.
Kelly Duncan, incumbent at St Andrew’s, Sidney, sees the solar panels as a way of “living out our baptismal promise ‘to safeguard creation and respect, sustain and renew the life of the earth’.”
