Episcopal Visit to St Mary the Virgin, Sapperton for Advent I
Throughout my time in this position and through to the end of 2019, and early 2020, I often tried (not always successfully) to visit a parish in the Diocese of New Westminster on a major festival Sunday that for a variety of reasons had not received recent coverage through diocesan communications vehicles: Topic, website, Facebook page, Twitter feed or Diocesan E-News. COVID-19 made this informal comms policy a bit difficult to execute, however, it has been a bit easier since last summer to visit parishes and find out in a closer and personal way (more than livestreams and Zoom meetings) what is going on. The visit to St. Mary’s, Sapperton on Advent I has revived the program slightly and if we aren’t all shut down by the OMICRON variant we may soon resume visiting parishes during festival times of the year.
The visit to St. Mary’s also coincided with Bishop John Stephens’ first episcopal visit (in fact, his first ever visit to the 154-year-old parish and building). Since the arrival of the vicar, the Reverend Arvin Amayag in early 2017, the parish has experienced huge growth and has become the spiritual home of a large contingent of the Filipino Anglican diaspora who make up large portions of this and three other parishes in our diocese. There is a large youth group, ACW group, children’s church and St. Mary’s is also the headquarters of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew in our diocese.
On November 28, 2021, Advent I, the rain was pounding the Lower Mainland. This was the second in a series of three ‘atmospheric rivers’ that caused flooding and havoc in Southern B.C. The inclement weather did not prevent folks from coming to worship and there were approximately 60 people in the sanctuary, masked and maintaining appropriate physical distance. There was lots of music in worship, led by organist Diana Welsh and the St. Mary’s Choir.
In his sermon (linked below on this post), Bishop John focused on the meaning of Advent and the imminent approach of the coming of Jesus Christ, however he began with a personal message to the St. Mary’s, community:
“This is actually the first time, I’ve been here… and been in this beautiful church. I’ve had a quick tour already, and, I must say ‘absolutely gorgeous.’ I am so grateful to your vicar, Arvin for all of his work as your priest and pastor. I know I don’t really need to tell you this, but he works incredibly hard, and is so dedicated to living out his ministry of servanthood with you and amongst you. At the Confirmation service at the Cathedral, just a few weeks ago (October 23), it was a delight to see so many young people from this parish be confirmed (24). It was good to get to know them a little bit prior to the service and then to come to know them as very much an intelligent and faith-filled group. It is great to be with you.”
I echo the bishop’s thanks to the Reverend Arvin Amayag and the people of St. Mary’s. I hope you enjoy these photos.
IMAGES
- Readers Maya and Katrielle are seen at the lectern as Neil lights the Candle of Hope
- The unmasked, archival photo of Bishop and Priest in Charge
- The sanctuary party: Chaplain, Herman Klassen, ODNW; Deacon the Reverend Brynn Craffey (of St. Thomas, Collingwood); Bishop Stephens and the Reverend Arvin Amayag, Vicar of St. Mary’s rehearse the liturgy
- Greeters, Ruby Galgala and Jonette solang in traditional dress in the narthex
- Reader, Liway Olosan shares the Epistle, 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13
- Soloist, Emilia leads the Gradual Hymn, “To You, O Lord”
- A view of the chancel area during the Gradual Hymn
- Cantor, Rick leads the Sequence Hymn, “Prepare! Prepare!”
- Deacon, the Reverend Brynn Craffey proclaims the Gospel, Luke 21: 25-36
- Bishop John preaching
- Members of the choir
- Organist, Diana Welsh
- The intercession led by Herman Klassen, ODNW
- The Peace of the Lord, be always with you”
- Prayer over the Gifts
- The Reverend Arvin Amayag adminsters the Body of Christ
- Vicar and deacon – the ablutions
- Sanctuary party briefly lowers masks for an archival photo: Back row, Liturgical Assistant, Neil; Chaplain, Herman Klassen, ODNW; Deacon, the Reverend Brynn Craffey. Front row: Vicar, the Reverend Arvin Amayag; Bishop John Stephens; Organist, Diana Welsh.