Episcopal Church Comes to St. Michael's
The Episcopal Church Comes to St. Michael's Multicultural Anglican Church
In an historic first, the Episcopal Church (EAM - Episcopal AsiaMerica Ministry) and the Diocese of New Westminster (ACAM - Anglican CanAsian Ministry) jointly celebrated a 3-day Filipino Convocation at St. Michael's Multicultural Church August 4-6, 2017.
There were 142 registered participants for the 3-day Convocation; 70+ from the US, 70+ from Canada, and 2 youth from the Philippines. The Convocation was an historic first because it was the first time in the 44 year history of EAM that the Convocation was held in Canada. And, it was the first time in those 44 years that the Filipino Convocation was held jointly.
The theme of the Convocation was On Board the Jesus Movement which is the current priority program of The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry.
The keynote speaker for the event and the preacher for the Closing Eucharist on Sunday, August 6 was the Rev. Dr. Winfred (Fred) B. Vergara, Missioner for AsiaMerica Ministries in the Episcopal Church & priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hicksville, New York.
Initial surveys showed a universal rating of 10, indicating that this historic experiment in Communion fellowship will likely be repeated.
One of the photographs in the right pane scroll shows all of the clergy who officiated at St. Michael's on August 6th, and their spouses. This may be the only time in a photo submitted to diocesan communications that Bishop Melissa is included as a clergy spouse!
The organizers plan to submit a feature article on this highly successful Anglican Communion event for consideration for publication in the October issue of Topic the magazine of the Diocese of New Westminster published 10 times a year and delivered to homes and parishes as a section of the Anglican Journal.
IMAGES
- The Procession on Sunday August 6
- The Reverend Eric Stroo proclaims the Gospel: Mark 9: 2-9
- Preacher, the Reverend Dr. "Fred" Vergara
- Youth leading the Closing Hymn
- The Right Reverend Diane Jardine Bruce, Suffragan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of LA with Bishop Skelton. Bishop Diane was the Celebrant for the Eucharist
- The majority of the participating clergy and their spouses gather for a photo. Photo: Courtesy of the Reverend Wilmer Toyoken
All photos except where indicated: Bishop Melissa Skelton