Diocesan Post Click Here
CBC Interviews...
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 Bishop James Cowan and Canon Dr. Martin Hendy with CBC morning host for ON THE ISLAND ~ Gregor Craigie ... Listen Here
Thursday, January 28th, 2010 The Venerable Christopher Page of St. Philip Oak Bay with CBC morning host for ON THE ISLAND ~ Gregor Craigie ... Listen Here
NEWS RELEASE ~ Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Anglican Diocese of British Columbia
Diocesan Transformation Team Report
Victoria, BC ~ The Anglican Diocese of British Columbia, covering Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, has 52 parishes. On the afternoon of Monday, January 25th, the Diocesan Transformation Team (DTT), commissioned in 2008 by the Synod (Governing body of the diocese) released its report to the clergy, the parishes and the wardens of the diocese. This report is the result of over five years of consultations, discussions and regional meetings throughout the diocese that began with the Bishop’s charge of 2004. The DTT report will be presented to the next Synod March 5th, 6th & 7th, 2010 where it will be discussed and voted upon.
The main thrust of the DTT Report is that a culture change is necessary for the Church to continue: a culture that focuses on service outwards rather than inwards upon itself.
The problem, common to all mainline churches across Canada and around the developed world over the past two generations (40 years), has been the decline in church membership and consequent reduction in financial support for the mission of the Church.
The DTT Report recommends the disestablishment (closure) of 19 churches in the Diocese, the move of 13 of them to another, nearby church to build a congregation large enough to carry out the church’s mission with enough funding from its members to support it. A congregation of at least 150 people is recommended in urban areas, though that number cannot be attained in rural communities. The thirteen church buildings vacated will be made available for sale or lease.
Does this mean the end of how we currently do Church? Yes and no. What we are recommending to Synod 2010 is nothing less than an approach for transforming and regenerating our Diocese in a post-Christian society. While we see no alternative to making recommendations to reduce the number of our parishes, the goal of this Report is transformational and thus much farther-reaching than a survival strategy alone, or seeking to maintain the status quo. The good news is that we have been given theopportunity, indeed, God’s call, to embrace reformation, transformation, and new life!
While the discussions of transformation within the diocese to re-energize and refocus how it provides ministry, spiritual guidance and support actually began in 2004 with the Bishop’s charge, the process is now moving forward in earnest with actions.
The most recent action, prior to the release of the DTT Report, as part of this restructuring was taken on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 when The Anglican Diocese of BC’s Diocesan Council carried the motion to suspend the operations of Camp Columbia on Thetis Island, including the termination of all 5 existing staff.
Previous to this was the closure of St. Alban’s Anglican Church whose last service was July 26th. Following is an excerpt from the September Diocesan Post:
“The Church of St. Alban the Martyr, located on Ryan Street in the Oaklands Community, has faithfully served the people of that area for almost seventy-five years. On February 19th, 2009, the congregation voted, with much regret, to disestablish the parish ... The final service took place on Sunday, July 26th at 2:00pm. Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. James Cowan, Celebrated the Eucharist and delivered the homily. The church was filled with parishioners past and present.”
And in April of 2009, on Sunday the 19th, members of the parish of Saint James the Apostle voted unanimously in favour of the following:
“That this Parish of St. James, Nanaimo, proceed with the merger with St. Paul, Nanaimo, pursuant to the requirements of Canon 6 and accompanying Regulations, and request the Bishop and Diocesan Council to grant approval.”
This process (unparalleled in the Anglican Church of Canada) is an initiative that began with the Bishop’s charge to Synod in March of 2004. The Bishop’s charges of past Synods, the Declaration of Merger and past reports that have led to this one can all be found on our diocesan Web site, some of which are noted below.
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)
News About Camp Columbia
It is with sadness that I advise you the operations of Camp Columbia have been suspended by Diocesan Council.
Camp has experienced systemic cash flow problems for a number of years and council felt the Diocese cannot afford the current financial drain on resources any longer. The alternative of increasing parish assessments to cover the camp shortfall each year also did not appear viable since many parish’s are already having problems meeting their current assessments.
The decision was to suspend operations; not to sell the property and get out of camp ministry. The Diocese is working on ways of delivering ministry to persons under 30. I’m sure these discussions will include the future of Camp Columbia.
Please pray for the delegates meeting the weekend of October 2 to 4 to discuss the way forward for the Diocese. May the Lord’s wisdom guide us all.
Diocesan Finance Officer
250.386.7781 Ext # 245