Diocesan Post - The Anglican Diocese of British Columbia - the ...

4 THE DIOCESAN POST MARCH 2012
Una Congregacion Latino
Multicultural ministry in our Diocese
Scott McLeod
Since March 24 , 2010, a
monthly Spanish language Eucharist
service has been happening
at St. Peter’s Lakehill in
Victoria.
There had been Spanish language
services and ministry
with Latinos at St. Saviour’s
Parish in Vic West. That ministry
ended in 2007 but there
was obviously still a need and
a desire for a Spanish language
ministry.
Dimas Canjura and a number
of others were seeking to establish
a place where there could
once again be services and ministry
with Latinos, in Spanish,
in our Diocese.
Canjura had come to Canada
as a refugee from El Salvador
with his wife, son and daughter.
As newcomers they tried a couple
of different churches, and
Toonie Membership
The Anglican Foundation of Canada has established a new Kids Helping Kids
Trust Fund to help help kids kids in need all across the country. country. Kids in parishes can
contribute to the Trust Fund by becoming a Toonie Toonie member. It’s easy. It’s fun,
and and best of all, it makes a difference for kids in in Canada. You You can join today!
Here’s how it works
l Your youth group, church school,
confirmation class, choristers
collect Toonies for Kids
l Send your donation to
the Anglican Foundation
for a special Trust Fund
just for kids and we’ll send you
a membership card;
a certificate signed by the Primate;
and a cool pin to put on your back pack
You can help provide
l a room for kids to meet in their church
l a washroom in a church
l a ramp for kids in wheelchairs
l church school materials
The Anglican
Foundation of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2
(416) 924-9199 x253 or 234
eventually found their home at
St. Peter’s.
So St. Peter’s was the logical
church in which to re-establish
the Spanish language services
and ministry. St. Peter’s and the
Three Saints Ministry have supported
the congregation as it is
growing and establishing itself.
People have come from all
over the Capital Regional District,
and from as far as Nanaimo
and in-between to be a part
of these monthly services. The
services are conducted in Spanish,
and are always followed
by a community pot-luck meal.
Everyone is welcomed whether
they speak Spanish or not, and
there is always fun and food
to share! Besides the services
there have been bible studies,
and some conversations around
children and youth ministry.
Dimas Canjura speaking at the Spanish Eucharist Service at
St. Peter’s Lakehill, Victoria
www.anglicanfoundation.org
Photo: Submitted
Photo: Submitted
The Rev. Scott McLeod presiding at the Spanish Eucharist, assisted by
Dimas Canjura
What is growing up at St. Peter’s
is a Congregacion Latino.
It is exciting and fun! Defi nitely
not the ministry of just one parish,
this is a regional and Diocesan
ministry, and an important
one as the Diocese seeks to
minister to as many people as
possible!
On March 24, the congregation
will be commemorating
Archbishop Oscar Romero, the
Roman Catholic Bishop who
was martyred in El Salvador in
1980, a victim of the civil war in
that country. He has become an
important witness and symbol
for Latin American Christians,
and North American Christians
as well.
Besides Romero, there are
the commemorations for Our
Lady of Guadalupe, patroness
of the Americas (especially important
to Mexicans), Our Lady
of Suyapa (important to Hondurans),
the Salvadoran Martyrs
(six Jesuits, their housekeeper
and her daughter, killed
in 1989), and a host of other
commemorations and celebrations
like a traditional Posadas
for Christmas that the growing
Latino congregation celebrates.
Service dates for 2012 are
April 14, May 12, June 9, July
7, August 4, September 8, Octo-
ber 6, November 3, November
17, December 8, and December
21.
Along with working for the
Vancouver Island Health Authority,
Dimas Canjura is a
postulant for ordination and in
his ‘spare’ time is taking classes
at the Vancouver School of
Theology. Besides doing the
work of community building,
pastoral care, and liturgical organization,
Canjura is also being
evaluated on his work as
part of his studies at VST, for
which he has the support of the
Latino congregation, the Three
Saints Team ministry, and the
Diocese!
The Rev. Scott McLeod is a priest
associate in the Three Saints Ministry
of the Diocese.
POOR IN SPIRIT
Lent has no images
no sabbath days
nothing to steal
nothing to covet
on the journey
to the cave
Lent has only God
Joanna M. Weston
The Bishop’s Visitation Schedule
During the next few weeks Bishop James
will be taking part in the following events.
March
2-3 Chapter of Deacons
7 Partners in Mission meeti ng
11 St. Peter, Quamichan - parish visitati on
12 CCC Buildings Ltd - meeti ng of Executi ve
Committ ee
15 Finance Committ ee meeti ng
20-21 Provincial House of Bishops meeti ngs
24 Diocesan Council meeti ng
26 Lady Day Service
Little
from page 3
recently attended a comprehensive
2-day training in this material
(the Bishop requires it in
order to be licensed here). As
a group, they were receptive,
attentive, and engaged. They
are now initiating enthusiastic
parish level efforts towards
creating safer environments: an
active demonstration of clergy
commitment to fostering and
safeguarding genuine sanctuary
for anyone who crosses
the threshold of an Anglican
Church.
As a lay Anglican offi cial,
I extend my deepest regrets to
Glenn Johnson among others,
for the pain and gross absence
of sanctuary experienced within
the Church. I hope there is
some satisfaction in knowing
that very serious efforts are being
undertaken in response.
Canada has committed to
protect Human Rights. This
means we are each obliged to
work actively towards increasing
social justice and safety
from violence. Beyond that,
it means fostering wellness for
each other and for our communities,
religious and secular.
Sexual violence is an international
human tragedy of
epidemic proportions which extends
far beyond church walls.
We must decide as a community
to end this kind of violence
through working together, “until
every house is a safe house.”
Ms. Marion Little, MA Dispute
Resolution is Canon Pastor, Sexual
Misconduct Policy and Safe Church
Training for the Diocese of BC
St. Stephen’s
Anniversary
(from page 1)
St. Stephen’s today Photo: Submitted
� On February 11, 1862 William
Thomson deeded fi ve acres of his
land to the Rt. Rev. George Hills,
Bishop of Briti sh Columbia, for the
purpose of building a church and
a school.
�On June 3 of the same year,
the church held its dedicati on and
fi rst service with Bishop Hills and
the Rev. Richard Lowe offi ciati ng.
St. Stephen’s was later consecrated
by Bishop Hills.
�St. Stephen’s Church is the oldest
church on Vancouver Island
used conti nuously as a place of
worship since its constructi on.
�In 1984 the church was designated
a Heritage Building by the
District of Central Saanich.
�For almost 150 years now, St.
Stephen’s has been a place of
refuge and rest.