A Little Story or a Big Story

February 23rd, 2014, was the day the Canadian Men’s Olympic Hockey team defended their 2010 Gold Medal with a rather businesslike 3-0 win over the Swedish Men’s team in Sochi, Russia. It was also the second day of a weekend that was memorable for a steady deluge of wet snow that by the Sunday morning had blanketed much of the Vancouver area. This was also the day that St. David of Wales, situated in East Vancouver’s Sunrise Neighbourhood came to the end of its 44 years of Mission and Ministry in a 109 year old church building that had previously been home to the parishes of All Saints and St. Saviour’s.

Feburary 23rd, just six days before the Feast Day of the parish’s patronal saint, Bishop David, a congregation of 40+ participated in the Eucharist in the building they had come to know as the home of their ministry for one last time. Their priest and leader of their shared ministry for the past 9 years (as of March 1st, 2005), the Reverend Michael Batten would be starting his new appointment as Incumbent of St. Thomas, East Vancouver also on St. David’s Day, March 1st. Michael was the preacher and presider at the Eucharist.

Prior to the first reading there was a procession consisting of three hymns and the blessing of the Font and the Ambo, a prayerful beginning to this closing Eucharist that grounded and focused the congregation.

Following the reading of the Gospel, Matthew 5: 38-48 Michael began his sermon saying, “For years we have been wondering when this day would come and now here it is…but what is the story that we carry and the story that we tell…Is it a big story or a little story?...well, we all have a little story but there is a big story, a bigger story that we touch and that touches us…the big story is God, and for Christians the Big Story is the birth, life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” He continued his reflection asking the question, “What makes each of our lives sacred?” The answer for Michael is that our lives are “refracted” through the lens of the big story of God. When our faith is allowed to surface in the little story of our lives, we are linked and connected.

“So what story do we want to tell, big story – little story?”

Everything in the church community experience: the Church Buildings, the Parish family, and worship are the little stories that connect us all and what ultimately connect us to the big story and as the St. David’s community moves on we will all keep telling our stories.

Churches have their own stories of birth, life, death and the story of any Christian Community like St. David’s is that it only makes sense as part of the big story.

Michael went on to examine the text of the Epistle read that morning, 1 Corinthians 3: 10-11, 16-23. In this text St. Paul is reminding the early Christians who were already showing distinct tendencies to fracture and move into factions that they, their very bodies are God’s temple. We matter too much to bicker and splinter over leadership. Michael’s summary of the reading is “You matter too much to sweat the small stuff.”

Michael returned to his theme of story saying, “we might think that we have come to the end of the story.” But he went on to explain why this is not the end of the story, it is not even the end of the chapter, the closing of St. David of Wales is the end of one page in the big story of God. The story of God has many pages. Every single page counts and every page has a permanent place in the book and every page comes to an end. Now the page must be turned if the story is to continue. On February 23rd, 2014, a page was turned so that the big story can continue.

Following the  passing of The Peace, the Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Venerable Douglas Fenton shared fond memories of his experiences at St. David’s from Roast Beef Dinners to the Dedication of the distinctive Stations of the Cross Icons, painted by BC artist, Chris Woods. Addressing the congregation, Archdeacon Fenton encouraged those present to continue their ministry in a new place.

Prior to the Celebration of the Eucharist, Christina Ray a current member of St. David’s Parish Council extended thanks from the Parish to elders in the faith community who have “sustained this place.” She invited the elders present: Andy Hattrick, Joann Rippon, Betty & Kelly Mah, Dan Attridge and in absentia, Gladys Jones and Lillia and Norman Pimm to gather in the area at the front of the nave by the chancel steps where they were recognized for their contributions to the mission and ministry of the Parish.

After dismissal those gathered went down to the hall to enjoy a meal together and share some memories, some emotions and their hopes for what will be printed on the next page of the story.
As of this writing, March 10th, 2014, the new home for the Chris Wood’s Stations of the Cross icons is still under discussion but they will definitely be kept in a place where they will be accessible in East Vancouver.

Although St. David’s is closing as a worshipping community, the church building is still a worship site of the Diocese of New Westminster and will be managed by the Diocese of New Westminster. Diocesan Council will make decisions about the future use or re-purposing of the property located at 2475 Franklin Street. For the time being, Kiwassa-St. David Preschool and Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society will continue to use the premises, and the Diocese of New Westminster on St. David’s behalf will continue to welcome community groups who use the premises regularly.

Images: Top, The Reverend Michael Batten blesses the Ambo during the Procession at the beginning of worship. Upper right, the Parish of St. David of Wales passes The Peace
Middle left, the Reverend Michael Batten listens as Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese, the Venerable Douglas Fenton offers a few words. Lower, extending thanks to the Parish Elders: Andy Hattrick, Joann Rippon, Christina Ray, Betty & Kelly Mah, Dan Attridge . (Unable to attend were Gladys Jones, and Lillian & Norman Pimm)

Lower right and homepage, the Reverend Michael Batten offers the Eucharistic Prayer for the last time as Rector of St. David of Wales. Below One, one of the Chris Wood’s Stations of the Cross paintings. Below Two, an acolyte puts out the last candle.