News from St. Stephen's, West Van - Summer 2022

With the continued and developing easing of COVID restrictions and the sunny summer weather, St. Stephen’s, West Vancouver experimented with a 10am outdoor liturgy. The design of the church exterior, with its curving plaza complete with a shade tree between the church building itself and the pavilion used for meetings and music rehearsals made for a good venue. With the fire exit door open on to the plaza, the piano was available for Minister of Music, Dr. Annabelle Paetsch, to accompany the outdoor service. The altar was created from a coffee table borrowed from the lounge, and readings from a music stand. Physical distancing procedures were followed and the outdoor singing seemed most appreciated by the local crows who joined in! 

During rector, the Reverend Kenneth Vinal’s summer holiday, St. Stephen’s was graced by Sunday Supply priest, Canon Donald Lawton, from Squamish. With the professional expertise of Parish Administrator, Nellie Gossen, the complete service is now printed out in booklet form for members of the congregation. This helps the congregation to follow the service, there's less confusion for visitors, and there are notes and messaging about upcoming worship and events.

A popular event carried on following COVID has been the Wednesday morning Rector’s Coffee Hour. From 11am to 12:30pm members of the congregation arrive in the lounge, help themselves to coffee/tea and goodies and sit down in a casual circle around the Reverend Kenneth Vinal, todiscuss issues of interest. Topics vary from the U.S. conflict over women’s right to choice on abortion, discussions about aspects of the Sunday lesson, local politics, and questions about sins (of commission and of omission). The rector moderates the discussion and adds theological insights in answers to the questions that could have come up during Sunday worship, but could not be asked given the necessary flow of the liturgy.

And here is an opportunity to mark your calendar as the The Third Annual Lavender Tea will take place at St. Stephen's. WV on Sunday October 16, following worship at 11:15am.

As well as a raffle, shortbread, lavender sachets and a variety of lavender-themed items will be for sale.

Proceeds will be donated to St Stephen’s Community Choir and The North Shore Harvest Project.

This is a community event – no charge.