January, 2026  

Beloved people of God: 

As we begin a new year, I have been reflecting on what this means for us as Christians, and specifically for us here at St. Matthias. We don’t know exactly what the future holds but we do know who holds the future: we walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the power of the Spirit to show us the way and to empower us to take the steps we need to take.During the past three years we have considered our future from different angles and discussed various possibilities. Currently, we are in preliminary discussions with St. Phillip’s parish about the possibility of coming together in a sustainable way that would honor the unique characters of both parishes. As we move into 2026, these discussions will include and involve the whole parish as we seek to understand and follow God’s will for us. 

We are reminded again that we are a people on a journey, a people being formed and re-formed in the image of the God who created us. We are a people who make mistakes. We can’t always see where we are going, we are flawed but human, and God is working out their purpose through our very humanity. This is the meaning of Christmas: that God chose to share our humanity, to know what it is like to be one of us, to share our human nature. 

This week we celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany (from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning manifestation), which commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles. We don’t know exactly who the Magi were: traditionally understood as three kings, but scripture scholars have more recently described them as astronomers who were led to follow a previously unidentified star. For us at St. Matthias, perhaps the star is a helpful image. While we don’t know exactly where we are going, there is a light guiding us, a light that though dim at times, compels us to follow. 

May we follow the light that guided the magi, that the light and life of Christ may become manifest in us as we continue to journey in faith as a community. 

With deep gratitude for all you are and all you do. I hold you in my heart and in my prayers on this feast of the Epiphany, asking God to bless you with hope, peace, joy, and love. 
  
Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. 

With love 

Rev. Colleen+ 

Bishop Anna is joining us on Sunday, January 4, to invest Dorothy in the Order of the Diocese of BC.  Don't miss this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Dorothy's service to God and us.

As you know, our beloved Dorothy Robertson is a great treasure and has been nominated to be a member of the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia "for the outstanding voluntary work she has done towards the life of the parish for a considerable period of time."  Dorothy leads the ministry of healing prayer and also, as you may likely know, leads the [confidential] prayer circle that holds each of us in prayer during times of special challenge.  

Unfortunately, at the time of the diocese-wide Investitute Ceremony in October, Dorothy could not participate in person.  We appreciate the generosity of Bishop Anna and the Rev. Canon Ian Powell (who is Secretary of the Order) in making this particular investiture possible.  

We are delighted to have another opportunity to serve lunch at Our Place.  We believe the chosen date is Tuesday, January 6, but Cory humbly admits she's had previous calendar confusions!!! We'll confirm on Sunday!! 

If you are available, please confirm with Rev. Colleen or send an email to cherrera@stmatthiasvictoria.ca  .  Just as the wonderful socks you contributed have been greatly appreciated, your gracious help and loving smiles help add to the sense of community at Our Place.