The Provincial Post
- June 2022 -
Greetings from Archbishop Lynne McNaughton
History
The Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon is composed of 6 Dioceses:
- Diocese of BC- Islands & Inlets
- Diocese of New Westminster
- Diocese of Kootenay
- Diocese of Yukon
- Diocese of Caledonia
- Territory of the People
Click to learn more about our History, the Provincial Executive Committee, and the Provincial Council.
Provincial Groups
SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR THE SEASON OF CREATION 2022
Responding to broadening and deepening interest in ecological justice issues throughout our Ecclesiastical Province, the Social and Ecological Justice Working Group (SEJ) of the Ecclesiastical Province prepares both programmes and materials to explore the foundational relationship between Christian faith, justice and the environment.
An ideal time for this work is the annual SEASON OF CREATION, Sept 1 – October 4
(St. Francis Day). This year we have scheduled a series of pilgrimages to welcome and connect Anglican and other walkers in order to experience creation, grace and peace by intentionally moving through creation together in various regions of our Province.
We will do so with a memory of last summer’s extreme weather events, of firestorms, floods and of all creation’s fury. We will see what this summer brings. We will also bring faith, hope and love to our spiritual practice.
You can add your own memories and experiences to a growing list of climate catastrophes. Perhaps you have already engaged in conversations with friends, parishioners and colleagues about the Climate Emergency. There are certainly many reactions to the term -- Some are motivating, others suffer through fear. A youth motion from the 2019 General Synod named it as a priority and accepted it as a given. Younger voices see great value in the church declaring a climate emergency. It is one way that Christian faith calls us into action.
The members of the SEJ pilgrimage working group are convinced that one timely and inspirational action is through pilgrimage, an intentional opportunity to walk in solidarity with each other, in step with Christ, surrounded by the glorious gift of creation itself. Through the 2022 pilgrimages we will pray for a great renewal, a cosmic shift of the human heart, a revolution of concern for this planet. We will pray that the day of our awakening to the plight of Mother Earth will not only happen, but that it will happen now, even here in British Columbia.
Pilgrims through the centuries have sought release from the routines of ordinary life in order to glimpse and experience the extra-ordinary, a metaphysical taste of God in Divine Fullness. God: A real presence in our lives, invigorating our faith, inspiring our loves, our hopes, and the moments of our days. Ask yourself a simple question — can you separate yourself for a time from pressing commitments, from work or other activity, from the delights and demands of family life and friendship circles, just for a time, intentionally for yourself, for God, and for God’s world? If you can answer YES, then read on . . .
These pilgrimages are specially designed to refurbish our respect for, and delight in creation. We do so knowing very well that creation itself is injured. God’s world is in the critical care ward, crying for healing and recovery. A deep engagement with the earth, mobilized by the physical discipline of walking with other like-minded pilgrims will generate hope and resilience in a new community with other travelers. As with much religion and spirituality, the intention to live and love differently, even briefly, will provide the necessary detachment to enter into a different creative, thoughtful or prayerful space.
Around the province walks are scheduled as follows (this list is subject to update). Feel free to reach out to the contact person listed. In some instances space is limited. Expressions of interest are welcome now.
The trailhead awaits . . . Will you join us? We hope so.
The Provincial Council met via zoom on June 4th. The meeting included a written report from BCYAYM:
BCYAYM Report to Provincial Council
I am thrilled to be able to report that the youth environment in the province has been growing in excitement in the last few months. BCYAYM has not yet directly hosted any events since the restrictions have opened up; however, I was able to attend a Diocesan Youth Movement (Diocese of New Westminster) youth sleepover event on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday which was incredibly exciting to be able to see a large scale overnight youth event occurring again. Recently, we have also been able to offer support to the Sorrento Centre young sojourners event over the May long weekend.
I am thrilled to be able to report that the youth environment in the province has been growing in excitement in the last few months. BCYAYM has not yet directly hosted any events since the restrictions have opened up; however, I was able to attend a Diocesan Youth Movement (Diocese of New Westminster) youth sleepover event on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday which was incredibly exciting to be able to see a large scale overnight youth event occurring again. Recently, we have also been able to offer support to the Sorrento Centre young sojourners event over the May long weekend.
More directly regarding BCYAYM, we have been planning and organizing our own fall conference for this upcoming October which we are very excited about and eagerly looking forward to. While youth ministry has been able to start to get back to being active across the province, I have heard from a number of people about
the challenges of running and growing a youth program in a post pandemic time where many youth have “graduated” and moved on. While the return of large youth events is incredibly exciting, this challenge of growing youth numbers without a strong base of pre-existing youth continues to be incredibly challenging. Moving forward this ministry within the church may require some additional support;
however, I am very excited and hopeful about what the future holds.
the challenges of running and growing a youth program in a post pandemic time where many youth have “graduated” and moved on. While the return of large youth events is incredibly exciting, this challenge of growing youth numbers without a strong base of pre-existing youth continues to be incredibly challenging. Moving forward this ministry within the church may require some additional support;
however, I am very excited and hopeful about what the future holds.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Stephens
BCYAYM Provincial Representative
Provincial Resources
In a short period of time, the province of BC has been impacted by wildfires, flooding, snowstorms, and the destruction of homes, businesses and key infrastructure as well as the tragic loss of human life. These events have caused the Executive Committee to evaluate the ability of our parishes and our people to respond to emergency situations- both to our personal and parish needs as well as the needs of those in our surrounding communities.
An Emergency Preparedness Committee has been formed and they are working to develop and collect resources that will help parishes in BC and the Yukon to be better prepared when disasters and emergencies strike. In the coming weeks, these resources will be distributed to Dioceses as well as posted to the provincial website.
Safe Church Training
For a number of months, revisions to the Safe Church and Criminal Record Program have been underway with the goal of making training modules more relevant in the Canadian context. We are in the final stages of preparing updated information and instructions. The below is a sneak peak as to what is changing with the program. Diocesan Administrators/Safe Church Coordinators will receive the new package in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Provincial Council Meetings:
September 23-24, 2022 at Sorrento Centre
September 22-23, 2023 at Sorrento Centre
Provincial Executive Committee Meetings:
September 13, 2022 Zoom
Provincial House of Bishops Meetings:
July 7, 2022 Zoom
September 21-22, 2022 at Sorrento Centre
Provincial Synod:
September 20-22, 2024 at Sorrento Centre
