Sermon preached by the Reverend Emilie Smith at the Memorial Eucharist for the Reverend Vivian Margaret Seegers held at 11am, Saturday, October 2 at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. Rev. Seegers died from complications due to COVID-19 on June 2, 2021. The Reverend Smith was a classmate of the Rev. Seegers and a long time friend and colleague. The Rev. Seegers was the first Indigenous woman to be ordained in the Diocese of New Westminster.
It is rare that a priest dies while in active ministry. The Rev. Seegers was priest-in-charge and founder of Urban Aboriginal Ministry and an assistant at the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene located in Vancouver's VGH neighbourhood when she died. The Memorial Eucharist was scheduled by Bishop John Stephens for October 2. Bishop Stephens officiated at the liturgy and offered the Commendation. Archbishop Mark MacDonald, the Anglican Church of Canada’s first National Indigenous Anglican Bishop (archbishop as of 2019) presided at the Eucharist and offered the Blessing.
Many of the Rev. Seegers' family and friends were in attendance at the liturgy, along with approximately 40 clergy of the diocese celebrating her life.
