Who we are:
Church address:
5350 Baillie Street
Vancouver, BC
(on 37th Ave between Cambie and Oak)
Church office address:
2325 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6J 3J2
604.558.4400
St John's Vancouver Anglican Church is a community of Christians dedicated to the exposition and teaching of the Word of God, to the spreading of the good news of the Gospel at home and abroad, and to the application of God's purpose in our own lives and families.
News > 2008 Parish Life Notes > 08.06.08 Parish Life
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Jun 8, 2008
Dear Friends,
GAFCON
Some of us grow weary of reading ‘crisis’ and ‘Anglican’ in the same sentence. The events in the global Anglican church, particularly in Canada and the USA over the past 10 years have torn the fabric of the communion at its deepest level. Every attempt at resolution has been rejected or ignored by the Canadian and American Churches. Bishops and Archbishops from a number of countries will not join the Lambeth conference this year because of the intransigence and lack of repentance from the Canadian and American Churches.
The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) June 22 - 29 in Jerusalem is a sign of hope for the restoration of true unity in the body of Christ. Over 1,000 people, representing every province in the communion, including 280 bishops, will meet for the deepening of fellowship in the gospel, to develop a renewed understanding of our identity as Anglican Christians, to find a way to heal the tear in the fabric of our communion, and to prepare for the future where Christ-centred mission will be our top priority. Pray for the conference, that God would do more than we could ask or think through our gathering.
Locally
On May 28 the Network parish of St. Mary’s on Vancouver Island lost a court ruling, which means they must leave their buildings so that the Diocese of BC might possess them. The Anglican Network lawyers are seeking leave to appeal the decision, and this may take some weeks.
Dan Gifford and I received a letter from the Diocese of New Westminster this past Monday, June 2, instructing us to vacate the parish premises. All the clergy of our coalition in Vancouver were charged with abandoning our ministries on February 22 this year. We responded indicating that we have not nor do we intend to abandon our ministries. In early May we relinquished our licenses issued by Bishop Ingham to receive oversight from Bishop Harvey of the Network, under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Venables and the Southern Cone. The letters we received this week are not unexpected and form the next step in the process. Our legal team and parish leadership are considering our response and I want you to know so that you might join with us more deeply in the partnership of the gospel.
It is very important for us to increasingly place our confidence in Christ and his gospel. St. John’s is not the building, it is you, the people who belong to God. St. John’s will continue to be the church of God with or without the building, so long as we stand on the foundation of the teaching of the apostles and prophets and align ourselves with Jesus, our cornerstone. We believe the property and buildings are owned by the legally incorporated parish of St. John’s and are a great facility for ministry. But as a congregation we will hold together whether we have the buildings or not.
We continue to offer the diocese the opportunity to sit down and discuss these issues in an amicable fashion. So far all our approaches have been rejected. How should we respond to our present circumstances?
First, with faith not fear. Do not be afraid, God is with us. The same God who made the world and chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, is the same God who brought his people out of Egypt with a mighty outstretched arm so that he might dwell with them. This is our God and Father. When Jesus was raised from the dead he said: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, go make disciples, and see, I am with you always.” Trust him, rely on him.
Second, with boldness not bitterness. We must put away all bitterness, anger, self-righteousness and lack of love. The real issue is always the glory of Christ and therefore we need to hold together as we grow in commitment to one another: standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by our opponents. True unity confounds Satan, undermines empty speculation and enables us to grow. The leadership of St. John’s is united in the gospel and in the prayerful, careful decisions we have made.
Our trust is not in lawyers or good strategy but in the Lord of heaven and earth. There are many many people praying for us all around the world. We need to be bold and look to God for the growth of his kingdom.
David Short
Parish Announcements
Flowers. The flowers on the Credence Table are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of my husband, Geoff Archer and my grandson, Andrew Smith from Rae Archer.
How Do I Help My Children Grow in Christ. Monday June 16, 7-8:30 pm - in the Trendell Lounge
You can’t grow your children if you’re not growing yourself. In the fall, we will be studying the Gospel of Luke as a church family in Bible study groups, Sunday morning services and Sunday School. Parents with children in Sunday School are invited to hear Bronwyn Short address the big themes in the Gospel of Luke. Come to get ready for growth through Luke’s account of Jesus, and to be in a good place to grow our children out of what the Lord is teaching us.
Morning Coffee Team Volunteers Needed. A wonderful way to get to know others in the church is to join a team that helps set up for and clean up after the coffee hour between the 9 am and 11 am services. If you are interested we would love to have you as part of this ministry. Please call Brent Smith, coffee hour coordinator, at 604.687.6689.
Do you like to cook or help with the prep? Throughout the year, various ministries require a meal prepared for a group as an ongoing need or as a single event. There are a number of people who serve the congregation in this way, whom we greatly appreciate and don’t want to wear out! If you’d like your name added to a list of those who would be willing to help in some way, either with cooking or set up/clean up, please call Jan at the church (ext 28) or email.
Summer Reading. Some years ago a godly clergyman urged his flock to read biographies of notable Christians, including missionaries, without regard to where or when they lived. We also can learn much and enrich our lives by these readings. In our library is a collection of biographies and you are encouraged to spend some of your summer time with these saints of past and present. You will be fascinated, amazed and blessed.
Lost and Found Table. There will be a Lost and Found table set up just outside the Trendell Lounge for the next three weeks. Please come and claim what is yours and what remains will go to charity.
Community News
Housing Needed. Regent College is looking for friendly Vancouverites to provide up to one week of free housing for incoming students while they search for permanent housing in August. Meals are not expected (but welcome nonetheless!). This is also a great solution for people going out of town and in need of a house-sitter. For more information, please call Cheryl at 604.221.3355 or email: housing@regent-college.edu.
Bach’s Greatest Hits Concert Today. The Baranduin Ensemble, co-founded by Sarah Tippett, will be performing a concert of some of Bach’s most famous music, including Cantata No. 147 (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) and the fabulous Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear well-loved music, performed in context, by this up-and-coming ensemble. Sunday, June 8th, 2 pm at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Catholic church (1430 West 38th Ave at Granville St). Tickets at the door: $10 adults; $5 students/seniors. Contact: www.baranduin.ca
Benefit Concert for Earthquake Victims in China. There will be a benefit concert, Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm at St. John’s Shaughnessy in the church, sponsored by the South Burnaby Church of Christ. The program will be classical piano, violin and vocals mostly by young prodigies. All proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross and will be matched by the Canadian Government for relief efforts in China. Tickets are $20 each and available at the door. Age 12 and under are free. For further information and a program for the evening, please refer to website: www.sbchurch.ca/SichuanBenefitConcert.
