Thanksgiving at West Van Parish
Thanksgiving Sunday at St. Stephen’s West Vancouver opened with an organ arrangement of “We Gather Together” performed by Director of Music, Dr.Annabelle Paetsch. Around the altar had been placed all the food items collected by the parish for the North Shore Harvest Project Food Bank.
The seasonal celebration was warm and enthusiastic only marred by the COVID illness of the rector, the Rev. Kenneth Vinal. Taking his place was the Rev. Canon Donald Lawton from Squamish who preached a sensitive sermon on the thankfulness those of us living on the West Coast of Canada feel when we consider the problems of many parts of the world. He blessed the Harvest Project food items hoping that needy people will be helped by St. Stephen’s gifts.
The congregation was reminded of the up-coming Lavender Tea that will follow the Oct.16 liturgy. The proceeds from this event will also be forwarded to the North Shore Harvest Project.