This just in....

Reverend Ingrid's work permit has been granted!

The next step is for Ingrid to have her visa applied to her passport. This administrative process will likely take a few more weeks, but it is finally happening. We will keep everyone posted.

It is an exciting day for the Church of the Advent. May we offer up prayers that the process be made smooth for Ingrid, so that she is able to join us as soon as possible. Amen!

Bishop Anna has announced the ordination date for Rev. Colleen, who will be ordained along with John Thatamanil on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

We will keep you informed as things develop.

Congratulations, Colleen!

The global pandemic has been a challenging time of loss, frustration, and overwhelming change. So many of us have been unable to attend church services in person… and discovered new ways to worship and encounter God outside of our church doors. 

In her much-loved classic, An Altar in the World: A Geography of faith, Anglican spiritual author Barbara Brown Taylor leads us on a journey to discover God in the places and spaces around us, deepening our faith in the process.  The book reflects on such practices as walking and meditation and considers practical ways to experience the sacred in all that we do. By paying attention and noticing the sights, smells and sounds all around us, our actions have the potential to deepen our relationship with God. 

Reverend Ingrid and Reverend Colleen invite you to discussion and reflection on this transforming journey in a 7-part Lenten book study that begins on the last Thursday of this month. The seven sessions will take place on Zoom on Thursday evenings throughout Lent, starting this month on February 24th, from 7pm – 8.30pm. You are invited to participate as you are able. Recordings of the sessions will be available. If neither of these options work for you, you might choose to read the book and discuss it informally with others. 

Purchase the book: “An Altar in the World” may be available at local bookstores. It is available on Amazon in hardcopy, kindle and audiobook: https://www.amazon.ca/Altar-World-Geography-Faith/dp/0061370479 

An Altar in the World Lent Book Study

When: Thurs Feb 24 – Thurs April 7th  7 PM to 8.30 PM

Where: Zoom. Register with Colleen at clissamer@bc.anglican.ca. 

Mark your calendars for our Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to take place February 27th at 12 pm via Zoom.

The annual and financial reports are available in the Narthex as of Sunday. Voting ballots will also be available for anyone unable to be present through Zoom on the day of the meeting.

Please email the office (admin@colwoodanglican.ca) if you are unable to come in and pick up a report.

For your time of quiet reflection and preparation, here are the readings we will share this Sunday in our worship services:                                                                                                                

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Psalm 1

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke 6:17-26

The Diocesan Post is now Faith Tides. We've moved online. Read the February issue at faithtides.ca. 

With this issue, we're joined on the new AnglicanNews.ca platform by the Anglican Journal and the Rupert's Land News. Each month, new diocesan publications will be added to AnglicanNews.ca. 

Read about our cross-Canada move online at anglicannews.ca

Christ Church Cathedral and the Emily Carr String Quartet are thrilled to be announcing Earth Songs: Music for Climate Justice, their third concert series since their partnership began in 2020.

This series of six concerts from February to June will feature one of Canada’s top quartets and the cathedral’s Wolff organ played by a lineup of international artists. The series will draw attention to the need for personal action to reverse the climate crisis and will include brief talks from climate focused NPOs and advocates with an opportunity to support. Each concert will focus on a different facet of our relationship with the natural world, aiming to educate, entertain, and inspire change. Learn more at www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/earthsongs.

This series is made possible in part thanks to the support of the Gail O’Riordan Climate and Arts Legacy Fund at the Victoria Foundation
www.climateandthearts.org

"Air," the first  concert in this series focused on climate justice.
Performers: The Emily Carr String Quartet
with special guest speaker Sonia Furstenau, MLA

John Luther Adams, “The Wind in High Places”
Maurice Ravel, String Quartet in F Major

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Register to attend via Zoom

Forests and fresh water are essential to life on our planet. Not surprisingly, they also feature prominently in the ritual, ceremony and the sense of the sublime across religious and spiritual traditions. Yet it is becoming apparent that our forests and bodies of water are increasingly at risk. Around the globe, forest and water management has taken center stage in movements of resistance that emphasize ecological protection and Indigenous rights. Do religion and spirituality have a role to play in our understanding of or response to the crisis? Where do we go from here? Join us as our expert panel considers some of the pressing questions of our time.

Tzeporah Berman is an environmental activist, campaigner and writer, and international program director at Stand.earth. 

Deondre Smiles is assistant professor of geography at UVic and a specialist in Indigenous geographies and ways of knowing. 

Christiana Zenner is associate professor of theology, science and ethics at Fordham University and author of Just Water: Theology, Ethics, and Global Water Crises.

Cost $50 including lunch.

Facilitator: Clara Plamondon, archdeacon Cowichan/Malaspina region and incumbent, St Paul, Nanaimo.

The day begins with registration at 9am and ends with Eucharist at 2pm.

NOTE: COVID protocols (masks, vaccine cards, social distancing) will be observed and are subject to change as per public health guidance.

Download the registration form below.

For more information email retreats@bc.anglican.ca.

The above registration link is for the daytime series only. To register for the evening sessions please click here. Capacity is limited to 30ppl/session. If you are a member of a congregation please encourage others in your parish to join you and register today!

Intersections: A Dialogue Series is an opportunity to engage with Challenging Racist ‘British Columbia’: 150 Years and Counting (CRBC). Produced as part of the commemorations of 150 years since BC joined Canada, this open-access, multimedia resources documents how the recent cycle of anti-racist activism in this province is part of a broader history of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities challenging white supremacy for over 150 years. In this seven-week series brings people together in intentional conversations to:       

• encounter our collective past
• locate ourselves as participants in the ongoing story of this place
• explore how to respond faithfully to the truths we find together

...so we can participate with God in restoring creation and affirming the dignity of all people.

A team of trained moderators will offer will offer each of the seven sessions which are based on the information covered in the CRBC project, using video, song, prayer, self-refection exercises, readings and group discussions....

The above registration link is for the evening series only.

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

This year the service was written by the World Day of Prayer committee of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 2022 WDoP service video is available online beginning February 1. Visit the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada website to watch the video and to learn more about how you and your parish can take part. 

The Most Reverend Remi De Roo, bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, died on February 1, in Victoria, at the age of 97. 

De Roo was ordained as a priest on June 8, 1950. He was named the youngest bishop in the world when Pope John XXIII elevated him to the position at the age of 38. He was an active participant at the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and was the last surviving bishop to have attended all four sessions. He described himself as "a pilgrim of the Second Vatican Council." At the mandatory retirement age of 75, his resignation was accepted by the Holy Father on March 18, 1999.

During his episcopal ministry, Bishop De Roo chaired the social justice committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, was the main force behind the 1983 Canadian bishops' statement Ethical Reflections on the Economic Crisis, wrote and taught extensively, and formed strong ecumenical and interfaith bonds with leaders in communities on Vancouver Island and beyond. Bishop de Roo was the first Honorary Officer of the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia, and was invested into the Order on October 20, 2018. 

A vigil will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria on Friday, February 11 at 5:00 pm. His funeral will follow on Saturday, February 12 at 11:00am, also at the cathedral. Because Covid-19 restrictions will limit attendance to 50% capacity, in-person attendance is by invitation.

The funeral will also be livestreamed on YouTube at youtu.be/8LqjMnOOMDw. 

May he rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him. 

Order homemade marmalade and pies by contacting Lydia at 250-478-4564, or email chezfrogbc@gmail.com.

To purchase TruEarth Laundry Strips, call Jose at 250-857-3025 or 250-857-3025 (cell), or email her at joseinvictoria@shaw.ca. 

For Fairway Cards, please contact Joan at 250-474-5446, or email jnlhoffman@telus.net

The Ladies's Guild very much appreciates everyone's support!