On Holy Saturday, April 4 at 7:30pm, St. Mark’s, Ocean Park is welcoming the Light of Christ outdoors in the woods behind the church. The outdoor chapel, which was consecrated for worship by Archbishop Douglas Hambidge in 1984 served the St. Mark’s congregation well for 15 summers until 1998. Rotting benches and many fallen trees made the access to the chapel and the use for worship difficult. “The Journey of Christmas” project came along in 1999 with an easy access path and a new focus. Its history has been well documented in Topic, the monthly publication of the Diocese of New Westminster. In 2013, parishioner Roberta Braddock began a process of rebuilding the outdoor chapel with new benches and altar. The original chapel area was cleared and leveled out and the new benches and altar were installed last summer. Now for the first time the “Journey of Christmas” and the outdoor chapel can both function in the wooded area at different times of the year.
Everyone is welcome for this service of rededication and to welcome the Light of Christ in this service which begins at sunset. The original “Journey of Christmas” path will be lit from the path’s entrance to the outdoor chapel for your safety. Tiki lights will outline the perimeter of the chapel area. This service will be 30 minutes long to accommodate our cool evenings. This service will be held rain or shine.