KOOTENAY CONTACT
-September 28, 2022-
September 29 - Holy Michael and All Angels
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Bishop's Letter
September 28, 2022
Dear People of Kootenay,
Greetings in the name of Christ,
This Saturday is our annual Synod, via Zoom. I ask for your prayers for the Diocese as we gather: for me, for Synod Office staff, for the many volunteers who make the Synod happen, for all the clergy and elected lay delegates, for the Structures Working Group as they report to Synod, for the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in all our discussion and decision-making as we gather to take counsel for the well-being of the Diocese.
Thank you to the Diocesan Spiritual Development Committee who have organized a prayer vigil leading up to and throughout the Synod.
Our theme, continued from last year’s Synod, is “Behold, I am doing a new thing”, from Isaiah 43:18-19. God calls us to “Behold”, to observe and pay attention to what God is up to and participate in God’s mission.
I am looking forward to this important gathering in the life of our Diocese. May God continue to bless our community and our work together.
Yours in Christ,
+Lynne
Diocesan News
Farewell to the Rev. Guna Vaddadi
Due to financial challenges at St.Stephen's Summerland, the parish can no longer support an Incumbent position. Rev. Guna's role with the parishes of St.Stephen's, Summerland and St.Barbara's, Okanagan Falls will come to a close effective November 30th, 2022. Rev. Guna remains a priest in good standing in the Diocese of Kootenay and we thank him for his faithful service. Please keep him in prayer as he discerns next steps. Bishop Lynne and Executive Officer Rev. Rita Harrison will continue to work with St. Stephen's and St.Barbara's through this transition.
Resignation Annoucement
The Rev. Canon Michael Karabelas has resigned his position as Canon Pastor to the Retired Clergy. We would like to express our gratitude for his dedication to the role, particularly during the challenges of COVID. Blessings to Rev. Canon Michael as he moves into a new chapter of life.
Retirement Announcement
The Rev. Patrick Reid, Incumbent at St.Christopher's, Osoyoos and St. Edward the Confessor, Oliver will be retiring effective March 31, 2023. Bishop Lynne and Executive Officer Rev. Rita Harrison will work with both parishes in the coming months to discern next steps in anticipation of Rev. Patrick's retirement. We thank him for his diligent service and bless him as he prepares to enter this next phase.
History Project- Can you help?
You are invited to participate in an interview for an oral history project for a PhD candidate who is doing a project on faith-based girls’ groups as elementary or high school students sometime between 1960 and 1989. This would include Girls’ and Junior Auxiliary, Canadian Girls in Training, Pioneer Girls, etc. The intent of the project is to provide new insight into the overlooked effect of girls’ extracurricular religious education and provide historical context for ongoing policy and funding debates about single-sex and religiously based education. If you are interested, please contact Kathryn Lockhart, Archivist, at archives@kootenay.info
Wednesday, 5 October, 2022- Kimberley: Everyone is welcome!
Please join us for a Deconsecration Service for All Saints, Kimberley (4 pm, 520 Wallinger Ave), Potluck Festivities (5 pm, 10 Boundary St), and a Covenanting Celebration between the new Kimberley Shared Ministry - Anglican and United and Rev'd Alwin Maben (7 pm, 10 Boundary St). We're excited that Archbishop Lynne, our Regional Dean Andrea Brennan, and Rev'd Ibi Chuan (representing the Pacific Mountain Region, United Church) will be joining us and we'd love to see you, too. If you are able to attend one or all of the events, please let us know at the Kimberley church office (250-427-2428) by Monday, October 3 (latest). A potluck dish would be also welcomed if you are able and attending the dinner!
If you are not a synod delegate or invited guest, you will still have the opportunity to view a livestream of the meeting on our YouTube page HERE. The synod agenda has been included below for your reference.
All synod information, including the meeting zoom link, has now been sent out to delegates. If you have not received it, email admin@kootenay.info
Important Upcoming Special Session of Synod Dates
- Youth Delegate Online Orientation- September 28, 2022 (6:30pm PDT)
- Virtual Synod- October 1, 2022
In addition to emails sent to delegates and other invited guests, select Synod information will also be posted HERE on our website.
Find resources to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation HERE. We encourage everyone to participate in events in their local communities.
The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society has created the “Seven Free Ways to Make a Difference” campaign for First Nations children and their families.
Remaining Fall 2022, Winter and Spring 2023 WECAN
Licentiate Courses
Sexual Misconduct Policy-
Now Available for
Electronic Signature
The sexual misconduct policy was revised and distributed in June. It has now been added to Praesidium so that all staff and volunteers can review it and sign off on it electronically. If you need help accessing Praesidium or you need an account set up, please email admin@kootenay.info
2022 Season of Creation Resources
The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
- Includes prayers and resources for current and previous years
- 2022 Season of Creation Celebration Guide
- Includes resources on "how to have a conversation about climate" and "self care as creation care", connection to advocacy options
- A resource for preachers, which offers thoughts and reflections on each Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary readings viewed through the lens of the Anglican Five Marks of Mission – in particular on caring for people and planet.
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Schedule Highlights
____________________________________________________________
September 28 Youth Synod Delegate Orientation, Ordinal Task Force
September 29 General Clericus Zoom
October 1 Diocesan Special Session of Synod
October 2 Worship & Parish Meeting at St. Mary's, East Kelowna
October 4 Synod Debrief, Travel Day to Cranbrook, Christ Church Cranbrook Parish Council Gathering
October 5 Eucharist at Christ Church Fernie, Deconsecration Service for All Saints Kimberley and Covenanting Service for Kimberley Ecumenical Shared Ministry
October 6 St. Peter Windermere Gathering
October 9 Preaching at St. Saviour's Penticton
October 10 Thanksgiving Day. Synod Office Closed.
October 16 Preaching at St. John's, Salmon Arm
October 17-20 Clergy Conference
October 24-28 National House of Bishops
November 30 Collation of the Rev. Rita Harrison as Archdeacon
Bishop's 2022 Sermon Schedule
Christ Church Fernie Eucharist- Oct 5
All Saints Kimberley Deconsecration- Oct 5
St. Saviour's Penticton- Oct 9
St. John's Salmon Arm- Oct 16
All Saints Vernon- Dec 11
Clergy & Staff Birthdays-
September & October
Happy birthday to the Rev. Margaret Sherwood (Sept.4), Executive Assistant Kate Dalton (Sept. 28), Rev. Sandra Stickney (Oct.7), Rev. Canon Chris Harwood-Jones (Oct 9), EFM Director Rev. Canon Cathie Hall (Oct.12), Rev. Martha Fish (Oct 20), and Ven. Chris Ross (Oct.22).
Save the Date
September 1- October 4, 2022: Season of Creation
September 30, 2022: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
October 1, 2022: Diocesan Special Session of Synod (virtual)
October 17-20, 2022: Clergy Conference at Sorrento Centre
November 24-27, 2022 Advent Retreat with Bishop Lynne at Sorrento Centre
November 30, 2022: Collation of the Rev. Rita Harrison as Archdeacon, 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels
Additional Events/Resources
Praying with our Partners in Mission- Daily Intercessions
Thank you to Rev. Helen Hall for her work on the prayer cycles!
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Artist: Jesus Mafa
"Mary, More than a Maybe!"
Advent Retreat with Bishop Lynne
November 24-27, 2022
Bishop Lynne + music minister Rev. Juanita L. Austin will lead an advent retreat at Sorrento Centre.
For further information or to register, click HERE.
Safe Church Training
& Criminal Records Checks
Program overview and guides HERE
- Is your training current? You must renew it every 5 years as a staff member or volunteer
- Is your criminal record or vulnerable sector check current? You must renew it every 5 years as a staff member or volunteer
- Have you read the new Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy and signed off on it?
If you are unsure or need direction, email admin@kootenay.info
News
Last Laugh
Image Credit: Church Times
