Clergy Notes for Baptism of the Lord — Sunday, January 10, 2021

St. James’ has a history of supporting refugees, not least through the passion and commitment of the late John Conway. The parish has received a request from the Diocesan Refugee Unit to consider being Co-Sponsor to two Eritrean refugees currently in Israel. This would entail supporting the Constituent Group, in this case family members resident in Canada, which already has the necessary funds in hand. So it is not primarily financial support/fund-raising, but being a link which permits the Group to apply under the umbrella of the Diocese. There may be opportunities for parishioners to support the Group in practical ways too, for example, greeting at the airport, English tutoring. For more details of the process, go to vancouver.anglican.ca/news/information-from-the-diocesan-refugee-unit. If anyone is interested in exploring this possibility, please contact me, [email protected], as soon as possible.

We are grateful to all for their continued giving to the work and ministry of the parish in this time of pandemic. The weekly giving envelopes will be available once the church re-opens for public worship. In the meantime, when sending cheques to the parish office, please include a note with your regular envelope number if you have one.

As I write, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, has just extended the current regulations suspending in-person worship until at least 5 February, so we shall continue our 10:30 am Sunday Liturgy-at-Home via Zoom. As far as the Annual Vestry Meeting is concerned, the Wardens and I have decided that in any event, in 2021 this will take place via Zoom on Saturday 27 February. There will be no Special Vestry re the Budget this year; it will be brought to the Annual Vestry. Details of procedure will be published in due course.

I remain thankful for the remarkable way in which our parish community is holding together in these difficult times, and for the commitment of so many – and for the technology – which is making this possible.

Every blessing,

Fr. Kevin

Download the service booklet for Sunday: Liturgy at Home Baptism of the Lord Jan 10 2021