People

On the evening of March 26, the Parish of St. Aiden and St. Bartholomew, Gibsons gathered to say goodbye to the Rev. Gary and Joy Hamblin. Nearly two and a half years ago they came as a team to assist the parish to rebuild. Gary and Joy made many friends and will be remembered fondly. They were presented with an original Terry Barker sketch of the church as a thank you and goodbye gift.


Granted a Lay Readers License by Bishop Godfrey Gower in May 1966, Ron Minshall, a founding member of St. Laurence, Coquitlam, celebrates over 40 years of assisting at church services. “Since 1963 when the parish was established, it has been a pleasure and a privilege for me to share the altar at St. Laurence with four bishops, five incumbents, one assistant priest, one honorary assistant priest, one associate priest, four curates, two deacons and my fellow lay assistants,” he said. Ron is also the Verger at St. Laurence, and enjoys the working with other church groups such as Church Depot and sharing St. Laurence’s facilities. 


The Bishop has re-appointed the Rev. Mark Lemon of St. Hilda, Sechelt for a second term as Regional Dean of Capilano-Kingcome effective Synod 2006. With St. Chad, Vancouver leaving the Jubilee Cluster, the Bishop appointed the Rev. Paulina Lee as Rector. Her induction was held on April 18 with the Rev. Christine Rove (St. Thomas, Vancouver) preaching. Also inducted was the Rev. Peter vander Leelie at St. Aiden & St. Bartholomew, Gibsons with the Ven. Peter Zimmer of St. Michael & All Angels, Prince George preaching.


Bishop Michael Ingham last month went to Geneva to address a session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to speak about gender issues. Unfortunately, the session was cut short by the diplomats involved because the UN Commission was replaced in the meantime by a new UN Human Rights Council, which is scheduled to meet later this year. The bishop’s address therefore became a submission. While in the Swiss city, Bishop Michael addressed the International Gay and Lesbian Association, which met the same week. The bishop’s submission and address are on the diocesan website.


While this Diocese did not have residential schools, we are the venue for some of the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolutions) hearings as those persons abused tell their story; our national office has requested that we provide clergy to represent us at these hearings if the person in question wishes it. To date, Bishop Michael and Archbishop Douglas Hambidge have done so; and several other clergy have been lined up to participate, if needed.


The Revs. Robert Korth and Celia Howard, who have been settling into the parish of St. Andrew’s Pender Harbour as co-rectors, will have their formal induction and celebration at the parish on Sunday, July 16 at 3 pm.