In recognition of their services to their individual parishes, to the diocese or to the Anglican Church of Canada, 30 men and women were invested into the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia on Oct. 21.
While they gathered with friends and family at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, the homilist, Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee, thanked them — these “remarkable individuals” for their selfless contributions to their communities.
As the Feast of Saint Luke was recently observed, Bishop Anna noted how he was reputed to be a great physician and healer. Luke is a reminder to us, she said, that “God gives people skills… and those skills are to be put to good use in the world.” Think of the doctors, nurses and others we rely on for our physical wellbeing, for example. And not to mention those in other professions and with other talents, who contribute to the betterment of the world each and every day — “today we celebrate their work.”
As the individuals came before the altar to be invested into the Order, it was with the heartfelt thanks of all those present paying tribute to them. “What we do in their honour,” as Bishop Anna remarked, “is honestly the least we can do.”
A list of this year’s honorees can be viewed here. The investiture ceremony can be watched here.
