Welcome!
We hope that you will find the information about our Diocese useful and that you will find some helpful resources for ministry. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you might have.
Our Diocesan Mission & Vision statements.
Please email us your thoughts and comments.
In the News...
Synod Guide 2010 ... click here
CBC Interviews...
The first interview is Bishop James Cowan and Canon Dr. Martin Hendy with CBC morning host for ON THE ISLAND ~ Gregor Craigie ... Listen Here
The second interview is with The Venerable Christopher Page of St. Philip Oak Bay with CBC morning host for ON THE ISLAND ~ Gregor Craigie ... Listen Here
Diocesan Transformation Team Report ... click here
Following are all the relevant reports & documents since the Bishop's Charge to Synod in 2004 which began the process to re-energize, re-focus and transform.
~ Diocesan Transformation Team News Release & Summary 2010
~ The McLean Final Report May 2009
~ Too Little Too Late Diocesan Congregational Development Team Report (May 2009)
~ Parish Annual Report Summary 2008
~ Parish Annual Report 2008 Breakdown by Growth & Budget
~ DMRIT Healthy Parishes Report (September 2008)
~ DMRIT FINAL Report (August 2008)
~ DMRIT News Release (April 2007)
~ DMRIT Interim Report (April 2007)
~ DMRIT Appendices (April 2007)
~ The McLean Final Report March 2006
~ DMRT Final Report (May 2006)
~ DMRT News Release (May 2006)
~ Times Colonist Commentary (The Ven. Logan McMenamie March 2006)
~ The McLean Final Report (March 2006)
~ DMRT Letter to the Bishop (February 2006)
~ Bishop's Charge ~ Synod 2004 (March 2004)
Women's Weekend Spring 2010!!!
Click here to view the poster and registration information. Cheques may be made out to The Diocese of British Columbia.
Bishop's Announcements of celebrations & people on the move...
"Please hold the following individuals, their families, their parish families and myselft in prayer during these times of transition." ~ + James
~ "It is with delight that I write to inform you that The Venerable Dr. Richard LeSueur has accepted my appointment of him as Incumbent of St. George, Cadboro Bay. The date of this appointment is June 1st, 2010.
At present, Richard is the Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St. Peter, Calgary, and Territorial Archdeacon of Bow Valley for the Diocese of Calgary; he has exercised ministry in the dioceses of Calgary, Toronto, and Jerusalem. Fr. LeSueur is married to Rhonde (pronounced Rondee), and together they have two adult sons.
~ I have, with regret, accepted the resignation of Ed Lewis as
Chair and member of the Committee on Ordained Ministry and have
appointed Christopher Parsons as the Chair effective January 22nd, 2010.
~ The Bishop wishes to announce that, with regret, he has accepted the resignation of The Reverend Pam Orman as Incumbent of St. Mary, Saanichton. Pam has resigned in order to enter retirement effective April 30, 2010. Please remember Pam and John in your prayers as they prepare to enter a new phase in their lives.
~ The Bishop announces that The Reverend Canon John Alfred Steele has been appointed the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer. The appointment takes effect immediately.
~ "I have accepted the resignation of The Reverend David Howells as Co-Rector of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels, Royal Oak, so he might accept the full-time position of Spiritual and Religious Care Coordinator at the Victoria Hospice Society effective January 1, 2010. And, I am pleased to announce that I have appointed The Reverend Lucy Reid as the full-time Rector of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels, Royal Oak effective January 1st, 2010."
~ With pleasure I write to inform you that the Reverend Lincoln McKoen has accepted my appointment of him to be the next Incumbent of the Parishes of Christ Church, Alert Bay and St. Olaf, Quatsino. The effective date of his appointment is February 1st, 2010. Lincoln, who comes to us from St. Peter's Anglican Church in the Diocese of Toronto, is married to Tanya."
2010 Diocesan Synod...
"At the request of Bishop Cowan, Diocesan Council set the date for our 2010 diocesan Synod, namely, March 5th, 6th and 7th. Please share this email with your Wardens and mark these dates in your calendars.
The early date was chosen so that our elected delegates attending General Synod early in June 2010 will have time to make travel arrangements and to read and reflect on the materials they will receive.
This leaves you with three choices in holding your annual vestry meeting:
1. Keep the delegates you elected early this year; or
2. Hold a quick 15-minute vestry meeting in January to elect new delegates to attend the diocesan Synod; or
3. Hold your vestry meeting in January to elect delegates for the upcoming diocesan Synod with sufficient time to complete and send in your Parish Annual Returns."
Sisters of St. John the Divine...
Check out their upcoming events here or view their whole calendar here.