The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined.   

(Isaiah 9)

Dear People of God in Kootenay Diocese,

On this Winter Solstice, 

this shortest day and longest night of the year, 

in the midst of bitter cold,

I greet you in the name of Jesus, 

The True Light, 

The Light that shines in the darkness,

The Light the darkness has not (and will not) overcome.

As we move into this great celebration of the Incarnation, “God-with-us”,

I pray that you will be amazed anew how we are sustained by God entering our humanity.  The birth of Christ is God’s continuous “Yes” to Creation, God’s faithful commitment to relationship - love and participation, suffering for and with, unconditional self-offering for wholeness and fullness of life.   

I pray that our worship across the Diocese on Christmas Eve and through the Christmas season will be joyful.   The psalms at Christmas invite us to “Sing a new Song”.  May our singing together (online or in person!) renew our strength and refresh us for our mission.  

An un-Anglican prescription for jubilation: I would suggest when no one is watching, put on a recording of the German Caribbean group “Boney M” Mary’s Boy Child, and dance! “Your very self You gave us; Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

The familiar story on Christmas Eve will once again remind us that God’s presence is to be found amongst those who are vulnerable (the baby), the marginalized (the shepherds), those not adequately housed (Mary and Joseph finding no room at the inn).  I am deeply grateful to each of you, as members of the Body of Christ, for all you do in your local places of ministry to provide food and shelter, hospitality and dignity.  Several of you are using your church building as emergency shelter in this extreme cold.   Many of you offer food to the hungry.   Many of you will visit a lonely or isolated person.  As you offer hospitality, kindness, and practical support may you discover Christ in the ones you serve.  

Blessings for a joyous Christmas!

Bishop Lynne

Archbishop Lynne and the Provincial Council would like to invite members of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon to a specially-designed webinar entitled "Emergency Preparedness: Working Together- Community in Action". On Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1:00pm-3:00pm Pacific, our keynote speaker Lieutenant Commander The Reverend John Hounsell-Drover will cover the foundations of Disaster and Emergency Management 101 and discuss how parishes and congregations can partner with local agencies and emergency planning groups to support their community when emergency situations arise.

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December 24 Preside at the Kelowna Cathedral (4pm & 8pm- live streamed HERE)

December 24- January 2 Synod Office Closed

January 1, 2023 Preach at the Kelowna Cathedral (11am-live streamed HERE)

January 5 Provincial House of Bishops

January 8 Preach & Preside at St. Stephen's Summerland 

January 11 Provincial Executive Committee

January 12 Camp OAC meeting

January 15 Preach & Preside at St. Barbara's Okanagan Falls

January 17 Ministry Committee

January 19 BARDS

January 22 Preach & Preside at St.Mary's East Kelowna

January 24 Metropolitans Meeting

January 26 General Clercius

January 28 St George's West Kelowna Workshop

January 29 Preach & Preside at St. Edward's Oliver

If you have resources, programming or virtual events to share with others in the Diocese, please send them to admin@kootenay.info

Simply Advent- Territory of the People

AdventWord- sign up for daily meditations during Advent

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally held every year between January 18th (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25th (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul).  Resources HERE

Wycliffe College Insight Magazine 
Winter 2022 Issue