Retired Clergy and Spouses Tea Without the Tea for 2021

At 2pm, May 31, 2021, the Zoom meeting co-hosted by Bishop John Stephens and Synod staffer Lauren Pinkney began and very quickly there were 35 retired clergy and spouses online, delighted to see friends and colleagues and very much looking forward to the hour they would spend together.

There are two scheduled events that take place every year for this cohort of the diocesan family; the Advent Luncheon usually held at the Synod Office around the Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6); and the Spring Tea which is a moveable feast in that it is held in different locations around the diocese. In recent years the Spring Tea has taken place at a parish in the Fraser Valley. 

These events are organized by the co-chaplains for the Retired Clergy and Spouses, Deacon, the Reverend Karin Fulcher and the Reverend Neil Gray. In pre-pandemic times the two chaplains did most of the heavy lifting organizing the event including the distribution of the invitations and the development of an interesting and fun programme. There was always assistance from Synod staff, particularly Bill Siksay, Executive Assistant to the Bishop's and Executive Archdeacon's Offices, however for the Spring Tea, Bill made sure that the invitations were circulated and Administrative Assistant/Reception; Screening in Faith Facilitator, Lauren Odile Pinkney (who has become a very skilled Zoom operator) administered the Zoom meeting. The programme feature of these events is an address from the bishop, offering a report on the life of the diocese followed by a Q&A session.

Just after 2pm, Rev.  Neil Gray welcomed the guests and went over the running order of the one hour long meeting which would consist of an informal address from Bishop John Stephens followed by those in attendance gathering in small groups and then back to the plenary for some Q&A. Participants were instructed to ask questions by using Zoom’s chat function.

Bishop John Stephens welcomed the group and began with a territorial acknowledgement that he was co-hosting the meeting from the ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. He began by saying that he plans to continue building on Archbishop Melissa’s focus on parish development and parish growth, encouraging the development of relationships beyond our church walls. 

The 15 months of pandemic have created the environment for a huge change in how we gather, but he is optimistic about how online church has brought visitors from all over, taking part in worship and programming originating from the Diocese of New Westminster. It is important that we welcome that and analyze best practices as we move forward. Definitely Zoom is popular and has been a very helpful tool for connection.

Bishop John reminded the group that he has been a bishop for five months and bishop of the diocese for just three months so to really get a feel for his new ministry it is necessary that he meets lots of people. He said that one of the upsides is that “everyone is home”, so arranging online meetings has been relatively simple and the meetings productive. It has been “delightful” getting to know all the priests on a personal level through these scheduled meetings and Bishop John is now moving into one-on-one meetings with deacons.

He spoke about the diocese’s role in securing financial aid for parishes through the government’s CERB and the Anglican Initiatives Fund sponsored technology grants.

The current focus as of June 1 is on how we will open up and what response will be like. As the Provincial Health Officer has given permission that we can begin to gather onsite immediately, Bishop John is asking that we exercise caution and slowly re-open beginning June 15,  and then to July 1 when things may change significantly, and then up to September when it is possible life in BC  will hopefully resemble pre-pandemic times.

Bishop John reported briefly on the May 15 online Synod and summarized diocesan program opportunities.

The plenary were very interested in Bishop John’s participation with faith leaders and the Provincial Health Officer. He said that he’s met several times with Dr. Bonnie Henry and faith leaders around the province. Rabbi, Dr. Robert Daum is the spokesperson for the group and there are usually about 30 in attendance. Bishop John believes the Dr. Henry has a deep and holistic understanding of the importance of Faith and Spirituality and he reported that at their last meeting she said, “thank you for all you have done during the pandemic. You have saved a lot of lives.”

The bishop is going to join a round table looking at spiritual care around the province, primarily in hospitals but the group will focus on the important conversations about spiritual care as it connects to people’s physical care. 

In closing he said that churches around the diocese are working to become more outward looking and less inward looking. The pandemic makes that difficult but it hasn’t stopped parishes from working toward that goal and putting plans in place for when we can gather again. Church will be different, but the pandemic has created an environment where people are searching for meaning and allowing themselves to hope.  

There were announcements of ordination anniversaries, May 30, the Reverend Canon Harold Munn celebrated 48 years; later in the month Archdeacon Andrew Pike celebrates 55 years and on the day of the Spring Tea, May 31, the Reverend Doug Dittrich was marking 59 years.

Following the bishop’s address the plenary broke up into small groups to discuss the bishop’s question

How has this time of pandemic affected you?

“How difficult was this for you?”

“How has this affected your spiritual life?”

Bishop John and Rev. Gray said that there was no need to have a reporter to report back. The small group discussion were informal for people’s own development and interest. 

After 20 minutes of small group discussions the group came back and there were lots of hellos and greetings between colleagues and friends who haven’t seen each other for a long time.

Once back there were warm wishes for +John’s birthday the next day, June 1. There was also some discussions about how different parishes approach the use of Zoom based on the retired clergy and spouses observations of the parishes that they now attend. 

But more than anything, like any other group of people, they long for the day when they can gather together again. Perhaps this December, at the Synod Office? It’ll be quite a party!

Images (Zoom screen shots)

• The Reverend Maggie Cole has a great smile
• Co-Chaplain, the Reverend Neil Gray
• Co-Chaplain, Deacon, the Reverend Karin Fulcher
• A panel view of 8
• Deacon, the Reverend Lilian Elliott in an orange shirt
• Bishop John with an orange shirt hanging in his office
• The Reverend Doug Dittrich, 59 years of ordained ministry
• The Reverend Canon Harold Munn, 48 years of ordained ministry