Beloved people of God.

As we emerge from the darkness and cold of winter and rejoice in the beginning of spring, we continue our Lenten journey towards Easter and the Resurrection. Spring comes early in our beautiful Victoria, and we are already blessed with snowdrops, the first daffodils and in some parts of the city, cherry blossoms. All of this lifts our spirits and gives us hope but, as Christians, our Lenten journey reminds us that before we can celebrate the resurrection, we have to journey through the darkness and embrace the crosses in our lives. This is not easy, but it is the path that Jesus set out for us and it is the path we are called to follow.

As a parish we are currently carrying the cross of change and uncertainty, a reality that seems to keep changing. Our call here is to surrender to the will of God, and be open to new possibilities, even as we continue in our present reality, at least for the time being. The surrender will lead to inevitable death, yes, but death is always followed by resurrection and new life. Hold fast to this promise as you journey through the challenging journey of Lent.

With love and prayers for all of you,

Rev. Colleen+

Image: David Brooke Martin on Unsplash

Join Rev. Colleen for a reflective 'Lenten Quiet Day' on Thursday March 7th from 10-2pm in the Chapel and Sanctuary of St. Matthias Anglican Church.

Free and open to all. Lunch Included. 

Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash 

The Last Resort 

Black & white portraits of the people and places of Lahaina and Maui 

Photographs by Arifin Graham

Join us for the opening of Arifin Graham's upcoming photography exhibit at The Chapel Gallery at St. Matthias Anglican Church on March 8, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm. Artist talk at 6:30pm. 

In 2022, Arifin Graham created a portfolio of black & white photographs of the people and places of Lahaina and Maui. With the destruction of Lahaina by fire in 2023, the images offer a glimpse of a rich, complex community, and a reminder of what we’re at risk of losing in the time of climate change. 

Exhibit Dates: Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 17, 2024   

Exhibit Opening: Friday March 8, 6-8pm - Artist Talk at 6:30pm

Gallery hours:

March 9-10, Sat-Sun, 12-4pm

March 15-17, Fri-Sat-Sun, 12-4pm

Sunday March 24

10:00AM Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday Service)

Thursday March 28

Maundy Thursday

9:30AM hot cross buns and tea (BYOC: bring your own coffee)

10:00AM Maundy Thursday service and stripping of the altar.

Friday March 29

10:00AM Good Friday Service

Saturday March 30

*AT CATHEDRAL*

8:00PM Vigil of Easter

Parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend.

Sunday March 31

10:00AM Easter Sunday Service

Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash

Join us for an evening of song, dance, and poetry to celebrate the 210th birthday of Ukraine's National Bard, Taras Shevchenko. Featuring performances by LUNA Ensemble, Kalyna Choir, Veselka Dancers and others.

Tickets available on the Ukrainian Cultural Centre website (https://uccsvi.ca/), via e-transfer (uccvictoriacity@gmail.com), at the Cathedral office, or at the door.
 
Admission is $15 per person or $20 for the whole family. Kids 12 and under, free.
 
Presented by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Victoria Branch.

The Diverters are coming to St Philip! We accept anything refundable; this is one of our fundraising efforts! Cans, bottles, milk containers, juice and soda bottles, etc - milk & plant-based aluminum containers, milk & plant-based plastic, milk & plant-based gable tops, alcohol bag-on-a-box, liquor glass, non-refillable beer, liquor plastic, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, drink boxes, drink pouches, other gable tops, bi-metal cans.

We first became a group out of Our Place Society when a handful of low income bottle collectors came together and decided to become The Diverters. We are now an independent nonprofit organization advocating for low income and houseless people across Victoria and dedicated to transitioning Victoria to a circular economy. 

Find out more on our website: https://www.thediverters.ca/

We are excited to announce that on Sunday, March 3^rd at 2 PM in the Main Church, The Greater Victoria Police Chorus returns for another spectacular concert performance! Tickets are $25 each. Please inquire at the Parish Office to purchase.

admin@colwoodanglican.ca

250-474-3031

Many of the parishes in the diocese are “in transition” and do not necessarily have a priest to celebrate the Eucharist each Sunday. Additionally, parishes are rediscovering the daily office and considering ways to have lay-led weekday services. Lay-led services are an opportunity for renewal: to encourage lay people to live into the vows they made in their baptismal covenant, which reminds us that each and every one of us, lay or ordained, is called to participate in worship by virtue of our baptism.  

For more information on how to apply, please CLICK HERE.

ORGANIST OR PIANIST, AND CHOIR DIRECTOR

Holy Trinity is a Christian faith community found in the heart of North Saanich. We seek to embrace our neighbours far and wide out of a deep gratitude for the kindness and generosity the Creator has shown us, through all the community events we host.

Position:  Organist or Pianist / Choir Director.  (We are willing to discuss options to staff these positions; for example a pianist and a separate choir director).

Archbishop Linda Nicholls,  Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, will be visiting the Diocese April 19-24, 2024. We’re hoping that as many folk as possible could come and meet her.  In her time as primate she has travelled extensively both across Canada and across the communion and brings an important perspective on Anglicanism in the 21^st century.  All are invited to the following opportunities:

April 19 – 21     

Facilitator at Women’s Spring Retreat

Camp Pringle, Shawnigan Lake

Women's Spring Retreat | Anglican Diocese of British Columbia

Sunday, April 21

4pm Choral Evensong

Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria

Located at 930 Burdett Ave, Victoria

Archbishop Linda to preach and reception to follow. No registration required.

Choral Evensong | Sunday Services | Christ Church Cathedral

Tuesday, April 23

10am – 12pm Meet our Primate: Linda Nicholls

St. Peter, Lakehill

Located at 3939 St. Peter Road, Victoria

Doors open at 9:30am. The time will be in the form of an interview, followed by a Q&A.

Light Refreshments will be served.

Registration required by CLICKING HERE.

Wednesday, April 24

11:30am Holy Eucharist

St. Mark, Qualicum Beach

Located at 138 Hoylake Road West, Qualicum Beach

Space is limited. The ten parishes in the northern region have been asked to send ten names of the parishioners who will be able to attend the service and lunch on Wednesday April 24^th at 11:30am.

As of April 1st, any extra spaces will be open for a "first come-first served" basis. Registration will be handled by the parish office. If you are wanting more information about attending this event or to register after April 1, 2024, please call Pam at 250-752-5414 or the email admin@stmarkqualicum.ca.

The Montreal Mission Internship is a 9-week paid internship for 18- to 25-year-olds with a heart for service and a desire to discern how God is calling them to serve in the world.

The synod office is looking for volunteers to support We Together 2024. Those interested in volunteering may attend the conference (both April 12-13) free of charge. Please email Anna van der Hooft at avanderhooft@bc.anglican.ca if you are interested in volunteering with We Together 2024 Volunteer in the subject line.