Bishop David Finds a Warm Welcome at 1410 Nanton Avenue

On January 18, 2018, bishops, clergy and lay gathered at St. Andrew’s, Cathedral in Prince Rupert for the Consecration of the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Caledonia, David Lehmann. Exactly five months and a day later on June 19, 2018, Bishop Lehmann paid a visit to the Synod Offices of the Diocese of New Westminster.

Bishop David spent most of two full days with Archbishop Skelton and members of Synod Staff. This was a great opportunity to get to know each other, strengthen the relationship between the two dioceses, share ideas, ask and answer questions and to connect.  

The visit began on the morning of June 19 with Eucharist in the Synod Office Chapel at 9:30am followed by a meeting with Archbishop Douglas Hambidge. Bishop David had not met Archbishop Douglas who was the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Caledonia from 1969 – 1980 prior to his election in 1980 as Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster and his election in 1982 as Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC/Yukon, the office currently held by Archbishop Melissa Skelton.  The two archbishops and the bishop very much enjoyed their visit and topped it off with lunch at the Synod Office which is when these accompanying photographs were taken.

Following the lunch, Bishop David visited first with Communications Officer, Randy Murray; next with the Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Douglas Fenton, and spent the rest of the late afternoon and early evening with Archbishop Skelton. On June 20, Bishop David spent time with Director of Mission and Ministry Development, the Reverend Dr. Tellison Glover; Diocesan and Provincial Archivist, Marche Riley; Director of Finance and Property, Rob Dickson and then completed his whirlwind tour with some additional time with Archbishop Melissa Skelton.

It was a delight having Bishop David Lehmann here at Nanton Avenue and this connection which he enthusiastically initiated has ushered in a new era of collegiality between the two dioceses.

Please keep Bishop David Lehmann and the laity and clergy of the Diocese of Caledonia in your prayers as they move forward in their new shared ministry together.

IMAGES

• Bishop David and Archbishop Melissa learned a great deal in their two hour meeting with Archbishop Douglas Hambidge.
• The two Archbishops and the visiting Bishop smiling for the photographer.