Church Vitality Week 5

Church Vitality

Church Vitality: The church vitality team is a group that has been tasked by Cathedral Committee to help our congregation delve deeper into active discipleship—–to “stir up” a fresh transfusion of excitement for being a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral by facilitating thought and discussion centered on the recent Charge from Bishop Jane to The Assembly of The Territory of the People. So the vitality team will be sending out over the

course of several weeks via Claire’s weekly information emails, highlights or key points put forth in the Bishop’s

Charge. We encourage all members of St. Paul’s Cathedral to read, reflect on, and dialogue on these highlights. She poses quite a few questions and many good answers. We will have an opportunity to discuss these when we come together in the fall with our new Dean.

Highlights from Bishop Jane Alexander’s Charge to the 2022 Assembly of The Territory of The People

Week 5

15. In the Territory it is my hope that the bishop and the pastoral elders can have regular meetings every couple of months for prayer and to ensure that we are walking a good road to reconciliation. It is my hope that we will be able to invite some younger clergy into curacy positions to learn from the clergy

and pastoral elders as we look to the next few years. It is my dream that a person from this land, this community, will hear God calling them to ordained ministry, We will also build on the relationship with Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred at Vancouver School of Theology. Ray will come to the Territory in June for a

series of listening circles.

16. So you see, for the continued life and health of the Territory of the People we must make a plan. A plan of action if you like, that will look at existing parishes that are healthy; Reboots of existing ministry that is under-equipped; Fresh expressions of church; Messy churches; and vibrant Chaplaincies in Universities, colleges, hospitals and extended care centres. Whatever it is, we must do everything the very best that we can.

One size will not fit all, it never has and it never will, but we must be sure that what we offer to God through our ministry in the church is our very best. Which of course is leading you all to think, yes, but Bishop Jane it is the Bishop’s job to help strike direction and lead into new things. Indeed it is. And therefore one of the questions to be considered before the end of assembly is this – Are we ready to ask the Metropolitan for permission to have an episcopal election for a bishop who will lead the Territory forward into this new time?

In order to answer that question we need to look at our capacity for ministry. Also as the Territory of the People, how would you like to see the election process unfold, does the existing way work here, does it need tweaking, what are your thoughts?

17. But the bottom line is do you want to grow as the church here in this place?

I am aware the time is moving on and I could talk to you of so many more things I have seen, of Peace and Interfaith ministry, of Victor our incredible hospital chaplain and his work during Covid, of parishes sharing their gifts and treasures with other parishes, of University ministry, of parishes making hard decisions about their buildings. However, I do not need to do that because you are all going to be talking to one another about those things.

So let us close with prayer,

A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit among the People of God

God of all power and love,

we give thanks for your unfailing presence

and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.

Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.

Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world:

a people who pray, worship, learn,

break bread, share life, heal neighbors,

bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.

Wherever and however we gather,

unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission,

that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.