This summer the Rev. Neil Gray celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination at a service at which Bishop Jim Cruickshank preached to a full Holy Trinity White Rock parish church. A few days earlier Gray had been the subject of a front page write-up in the local Peace Arch News of his career and life to date, noting he had begun as an "aspiring actor."

Betty Martin (Phto by Chris Magrega)

Ten people from the diocese graduated at St. Laurence, Coquitlam, from the Education for Ministry program in June: Gillian McIntyre, Claire L. Prentice, Elizabeth E. Martin, Chris Magrega, Wallace G. Shea, John A. Carne, Stacey K. Jordan-Knox, Linda K. Hodgins, Dawna L. Hodgins, Eilleen Anderson, Kellie A. Warnock, and Bev J. Saumier. EFM is a four-year, university level study program designed to teach people to think theologically and increase their knowledge of the Bible.

One graduate, Betty Martin of St. Margaret of Scotland, Burnaby, was praised by another EFM student, Ruth Anderson of St. Catherine's, Port Coquitlam, as "feisty, endearing, and caring. "

"We teased her terribly over the last year as we tried to discover how old she was. How we tried to trip her up whenever she mentioned something that could give us a date to figure out her age. She was too sharp for that but the laughter we had from our attempts was always a joy. "

"At our final party in May, two days before her 87th birthday she told us," said Anderson, who reported she died less than a month later, on July 7. "Her family and her EFM family will miss this remarkable woman."

Proving indeed that St. Bartholomew's does have a lych gate (contrary to the June TOPIC), the parish sent in this picture taken during Gibsons' Sea Cavalcade parade, showing one of the gate's many uses. The parish also sets out chairs for seniors as well as selling pop and food. In the photo are Jim Lee, Bob Bishop, Eleanor Abercrombie, Murray Drope, Bob Johnston, and the Rev. Peter van der Leelie. (David Dranchuk photo)

George Cadman, QC, Chancellor (chief legal officer) of the Diocese and a member of St. Agnes, North Vancouver, was appointed by the federal government to serve on the board of the Vancouver Airport Authority. A frequent flyer, Cadman spends much time in airports for his firm.

Clergy resignations over the summer: the Rev. Neville Crichlow of St. Mary the Virgin, who will join his wife, the Rev. Dawn McDonald, former priest in the Diocese of New Westminster, at St. Mary Magdalene, Fort Nelson, BC; the Rev. Sarah Tweedale of St. Clement's, North Vancouver, who is going on leave; the Rev. Elizabeth Ruder of St. Philip's, Vancouver, who is headed to St. David's, Castlegar, in the Diocese of Kootenay; the Rev. Arthur Nash, retiring after 15 years at St. Margaret of Scotland in Burnaby; the Rev. Margaret Marquardt, who will seek a new post after 23 years at St. Margaret, Cedar Cottage.

Clergy appointments over the summer: The Rev. Gary Hamblin as interim priest-in-charge of St. John's, North Vancouver; the Rev. Lynne McNaughton, formerly at the Vancouver School of Theology, as interim priest at St. Clement's, North Vancouver; the Rev. Patrick Blaney (transitional deacon) as curate at Christ Church Cathedral; the Rev. Janice Lowell (transitional deacon) as curate at St. Andrew's, Langley; the Rev. Kelly Duncan (transitional deacon) as curate at St. Mary's Kerrisdale; Jessica Schapp (scheduled to be ordained transitional deacon this month) as curate at St. James', Vancouver; the Rev. Ann Turner and the Rev. Wally Shea as deacons at St. Laurence, Coquitlam; the Rev. Doug Peterson as deacon at St. David of Wales. The Rev. Richard Stetson, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, has been appointed interim priest-in-charge of St. Mary the Virgin, Sapperton.

Blessed at St. Jude's Home last month was covenanted union of the Rev. Beth Aime and the Rev. Ruth Pogson, centre. The couple celebrated a civil marriage earlier this year. Others are the Rev. Margaret Marquardt, who officiated, the Rev. Sarah Boyle, the Rev. Carla McGhie, and Dean Peter Elliott.

The Rev. Ruth Pogson, a priest retired from the Diocese of Niagara, and the Rev. Beth Aime, retired from the Diocese of Brandon, members of St. Clare-in-the-Cove, North Vancouver, received a blessing of their covenanted relationship. Conducting the ceremony was the Rev. Margaret Marquardt of St. Margaret Cedar Cottage at St. Jude's Nursing Home in Vancouver, where Ruth lives.

Colonel (ret.) and Dr. John R. Kellett, husband for 60 years to Margery Sweetnam Kellett, died July 16. Margery served recently as a member of the Diocesan Ordained Ministry Division (OMD). Their son, the Rev. David Kellett, is a member of St. Michael's, Vancouver.