Celebrating November 30 - 45 Years
November 30, 2021, St. Andrew's Day marks the 45th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Canada. At the Synod Offices of the Diocese of New Westminster, Missioner for Christian Formation, the Reverend Jessica Schaap took time from her day to participate in a photo tribute to the four who gathered at Christ Church Cathedral four and a half decades ago; the Reverend Virginia Briant, the Reverend Michael Deck, the Most Reverend David Somerville and the Reverend Elspeth Alley. On our left, Mtr. Jessica's right is a shadow box display frame with Archbishop Somerville's vestments worn that day and a photo of the procession out. On our right is an enlargement of the iconic photo that was seen around the country and beyond.
On November 30, 2013, 37 years later, the first woman was elected bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster. The Reverend Canon Melissa M. Skelton was elected bishop on the third ballot at an Electoral Synod held at Christ Church Cathedral.
