Holy Spirit Revitalization

On Sunday, September 13, 2020, Archbishop Melissa Skelton made her first archiepiscopal parish visit to participate in an in-person worship since March of 2020.

The visit was to Holy Spirit in Whonnock, a parish situated in the riverside community on Highway 7 between Maple Ridge and Mission.

Although the sky was dark and eerie, the results of the smoke from the forest fires blowing north from Oregon and Washington the mood at Holy Spirit was bright and sunny.

Physical distancing, contact tracing and the "asking of the COVID-19 questions" as well as the ubiquitous temperature taking were all diligently adhered to and skilfully administered by Mimi at a greeting table located in the courtyard between the church and hall before worship.

The nave was filled to “COVID-19 protocol” capacity primarily by "bubbles"; couples and family groups of 3-6 in number.

The vicar of the parish, the Reverend Miranda Sutherland presided at the Eucharist; the Reverend Maggie Cole was Deacon of the Word; parish musician, Sanne Heaven led the music in worship playing hymn tunes on the keyboard and on violin; Peoples’s Warden, Tom Kerr, ODNW helped host the morning’s activities; Jean Davidson was the MC of the “Launch of Holy Spirit’s Centennial Celebration of Ministry in our Beautiful Church Building with the Unveiling of the 100th Anniversary Banner”, post worship event; and Deborah Sproule was the intercessor and supervised and participated in the assembling of the bag lunches that were consumed in the parking lot after the gathering in the sanctuary.

The preacher for the Eucharist was Archbishop Skelton and taking the Gospel, Matthew 18: 21-35 for her text she explored forgiveness and what Jesus is saying to us through Peter’s question: "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Before examining why forgiveness is so important in our life with God and with one another (and also connecting the messaging in the other two readings: Exodus 14: 19-31 and Romans 14: 1-12, the Archbishop listed what “forgiveness is not” and then offered some suggestions about what “forgiveness is about.”

And so, my friends, what is forgiveness all about and what is not forgiveness?  And why, why, why is forgiveness so important to our life in God and with one another?  What makes it such a vital part of the fullness of life to which Jesus calls us?

The preacher for the Eucharist was Archbishop Skelton and taking the Gospel, Matthew 18: 21-35 for her text she explored forgiveness and what Jesus is saying to us through Peter’s question: "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Before examining why forgiveness is so important in our life with God and with one another (and also connecting the messaging in the other two readings: Exodus 14: 19-31 and Romans 14: 1-12, the Archbishop listed what “forgiveness is not” and then offered some suggestions about what “forgiveness is about.”

So let’s start with what forgiveness is not:

• Forgiveness is not about forgetting, that is, it does not mean pretending something hasn’t happened to us, or expecting ourselves to have a kind of amnesia about it
• Forgiveness is not about dismissing, that is, pretending that something that has happened is inconsequential or insignificant when in reality it’s a big deal to us
• Forgiveness is not about condoning, that is it does not mean approving of the hurtful thing that has happened
• Finally, forgiveness is not the same thing as reconciliation in that forgiveness does not necessarily require the knowledge or the participation of the one being forgiven.

If these things are not what forgiveness is about, what is forgiveness all about?

Someone, speaking about person-to-person forgiveness put it this way: “Forgiveness is an unconditional gift given to one who (we believe) does not deserve it. It is a person’s merciful response to someone who has unjustly hurt him or her. In forgiving, a person ultimately lets go of negative feelings (such as resentment), negative thoughts (such as harsh judgments), and negative behavior (such as revenge-seeking) toward the person who we believe created injury.

And, if we are able to go to the next level, that of reconciliation, in reconciliation the person doing the forgiving actually replaces those negative things with more positive feelings, thoughts, and behavior toward the person who has injured him or her.”

(Archbishop Skelton’s sermon in video, audio and text is available by following this link)

During the Eucharist, Rev. Sutherland, masked and always aware of physical distancing administered the Body of Christ to the congregation. Check out the YouTube video

The post worship event celebrated the launch of Holy Spirit’s “Revitalization” to honour their centennial in 2021. In a letter to diocesan clergy on September 16, Archbishop Skelton had this to say about the program:

“Miranda Sutherland and the lay leaders at Holy Spirit are determined to use this upcoming year to develop the parish’s profile in the community and to increase the number of those within the parish’s orbit. As a part of this effort, the parish will be engaging in a variety of activities all having to do with 100: 100 books donated, 100 trees planted, etc.”

The launch event also included the distribution of certificates to every member of the parish recognizing their commitment to participate in the 100 programme. And there was also a fond farewell to Archbishop Skelton who retires February 28, 2021 that included gifts and the reading of  a tribute written by Rev. Sutherland, read by Chris Mellalieu with reading accompanied by Sanne Heaven playing “Red River Valley” on the violin.

From our country dear Bishop, you are leaving

We shall miss your bright eyes and your smile

You have Shepherded us for seven years

We thank God for ministry to us here.

 

As you go from our beautiful Province,

And our Diocese of New Westminster,

May you always remember our little parish,

And you friends of Holy Spirit Church

 

Praise God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

For your faithfulness to God’s call,

To serve in God’s kingdom for ever,

May your future in God’s service by blessed.

The inside event concluded with a word of thanks from Tom Kerr and then everyone convened out in the parking lot for the physically distanced al fresco lunch.

IMAGES

TOP SCROLL

• Archbishop Skelton is presented with gifts
• COVID 19 precautions and protocol check in
• Parish Musician Sanne Heaven
• Tom Kerr, ODNW leads Psalm 114
• Deborah Sproule leads the intercession
• The community greets one another in their bubbles at the Peace
• The Prayer Over the Gifts
• Folks in the "bubbles" at lunch

IN THE TEXT

• Unfurling the banner
• Archbishop preaching
• Waves for the photographer