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September 18th, 2025 |
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This SATURDAY!The Annual Fall Sale on September 20th will be here on Saturday! Many thanks to everyone who has been helping us to get things ready, and to everyone who donated items. We are no longer accepting donations for this sale, but please hang on to your treasures just a little while longer, because the Christmas Sale is coming up in November, so stayed tuned for more info about that in the coming month or so. We are still welcoming volunteers for the following activities: Set-up days: Today and tomorrow the 18th and 19th, are the last days for set up. Daily drop-in from 9:30-3:30 Sale Day: Sale Hours are 10-1. Arrive by 9:15 Take-Down: Monday and Tuesday Sept.22nd and 23rd. Daily Drop-in 9:30-3:30. Many hands make light work and helpers are needed for numerous assorted tasks, for example securing outside tarps at the end of each day, and taking away garbage and recycling after the sale is over. Please contact Lenore directly at englishres@shaw.ca, if you can help through the week leading up to the sale.
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Celebrating Michaelmas on September 28thAs is our tradition, we will be celebrating St. Michael and All Angels Feast of Dedication with lots of yummy cake, thanks to Terry Willow and our fellowship volunteers.
Saint Michael the Archangel is a powerful celestial figure venerated as the leader of heavenly armies, protector of God's people, and the vanquisher of evil across Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
The following is excerpted from a message from Pope Leo on the Feast of Dedication of St. Michael and All Angels:
"The name “Michael” comes from the Hebrew and means “Who is like God?” or in Latin, “Quis ut Deus?” It is traditionally associated with the Archangel’s battle-cry and victory over Satan and as such stands as a question that humbles power and purifies misplaced zeal when taken seriously. It can serve to shape civic imaginations and caution leaders, citizens and disciples alike that no ideology can save, and no economic plan can heal the deepest wound of the human heart (cf. St. Gregory the Great, Homily 34). Only the living God — adored in the Eucharist, encountered in the poor and proclaimed with expectant joy — can do that. This is the primacy of God proclaimed by St. Michael that bids us to go to hospitals, shelters, boardrooms, construction sites, indeed all places of work and leisure with a renewed vocation: to share the truth, to act justly and to keep hope alive.
One of the four principal roles of St. Michael is to protect and defend God’s people. Our spiritual and temporal works of mercy — feeding, visiting, welcoming — are how we “push back” the darkness by bringing in the light to our communities."
You're invited to enjoy the sweet "Feast" cake after the 10:30am service on September 28th, and then to go out into our community afterwards to share the sweetness of the message of Christ Jesus in your weekly comings and goings.
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National Day of Truth and ReconciliationEach year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. At St. Michaels' we will mark this on September 28th. On this 'Orange shirt day', everyone is invited to wear an orange shirt which symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced. This day reminds us that “Every Child Matters” and honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. |
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Women's Fall RetreatJoin the Fall Diocesan Women's Retreat September 26-28, 2025 at Camp Pringle as they dive into Keeping the Faith in the Turbulent 2020's with Bishop Anna and Rev. Christine Conkin. The 2020s...we know how they started. How are they going? Climate crisis. Racial reckonings. Institutional church decline. Trump is back. The future is uncertain. How does our theology help or hinder us as we navigate the turbulence of our times? How do we hold fast in these chaotic and changing times? Together you'll look at some of the theological voices of our time and explore their insights to dig into some of the issues of our day. Cost: Day Attendance only (includes meals): $160 Shared Room: $265 Single Room: $325 Deadline to Register: September 11, 2025 |
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The Order of the Diocese of BCOur very own Bishop's Warden, Stan Willow will be a recipient at the 2025 investiture service will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. The purpose of the Order is to honour and give special recognition to members of the diocese (and in the case of honourary awards, those not part of the diocese) who have given outstanding service over a significant period of time in their baptismal ministry. To watch the livestream of this service, click here. |
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Diocesan ConferenceEarly Bird Rate until September 14 Registration for We Together, our regular (once every other year) diocesan conference, is now open and an early bird rate of $70 is available until September 14. From September 15, the registration rate will be $86. This year's theme is God is not Elsewhere. The conference will begin on Friday evening, November 14 with an evening banquet at St. Paul's in Nanaimo followed by an opening address. On Saturday, November 15 we will gather at St. Paul's for a full day of workshops featuring our speakers John Thatamanil, Jonathan Thomas, Jenny Replogle, Brendon Neilson, Christine Conkin, Gordon Smith and Denise Doerksen. |
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Looking AheadAs the hot and lazy days of August wind down and the return to school (for some) and fall weather nears, we all look forward to the renewed activities at St Michael’s. The next big event is the Fall Sale on September 20th followed by our Michaelmas Feast of Dedication and Orange Shirt Day on September 28th. Now that we soon return to fall, it is time to consider supporting out various worship and fellowship activities that sustain us on a weekly basis. Our service is parishioner based, and we are active participants in the spiritual role of our parish. If you wish to support our worship services by reading lessons, leading the prayers of the people or being a greeter, you are welcome. Our Altar Guild is looking for volunteers to continue the vital work they do in preparing the Sanctuary for worship. This includes maintaining and caring the sacred vessels, altar linens, vestments and setting the altar with communion wares. It is an important, interesting and precise task that is essential to our worship. Our Coffee Fellowship is well received and an important social time for our congregation after worship. The need for volunteers is there and Margarite Heppell is always on the hunt for volunteers. The Fall and Christmas sales are nearing, and volunteers are critical for the success of the sales Our Bottle Divers’ crew (Nancy P., Betty Ann M. and Stan) have grown to four volunteers with the latest addition of Deb Ayotte to the team. A much welcome boost to the outreach program. Finally, February 2026 is our Annual General Meeting time and that is when Parish Council and the Wardens are elected. Parish Council is the advisory board and help determine the way ahead for St Michael’s. The Council meets once a month, and the council members play a vital role in being the voice of the parishioners. If you wish to help steer the path for St Michael’s, please consider volunteering to stand as a council member. We all love and cherish our parish and our community. A little help will go a long way in supporting our church and community. If you can, please consider stepping up as available for our community.
Stan Willow Bishop’s Warden |
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Sunday Services at St Michael and All AngelstOur Sunday 8:30am service is shaped by the 1962 Book of Common Prayer. The lilt and rhythm of old English finds its way into this liturgy, and some beautiful turns of phrase illuminate this service where there is no music. While the service itself is quiet, regular attendees are lively, friendly and very welcoming. Our Sunday 10:30am service, shaped by the Book of Alternative Services, includes music and more contemporary language and images for understanding God. This service is normally recorded and available for view on Sunday afternoon on the website.
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Church Email AddressesThere are several email addresses setup for your convenience contacting the church. Please refer to the list below and feel free to reach out when you need to.
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