A section of the Anglican Journal SUMMER 2018 IN THIS ISSUE Newcomers from the Democratic Republic of Congo PAGE 5 The Retirement Mission of the Reverend Conference Father Neil Gray PAGE 12 PAGES 8 – 10 Melissa M. Skelton Elected the 12th Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC & Yukon RANDY MURRAY (WITH FILES FROM DOUGLAS MACADAMS, QC, ODNW) Communications Officer & Topic Editor Melissa M. Skelton, Bishop of the diocese of New West- minster was elected Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon on the first ballot at 9:40am on Saturday, May 12, 2018. That office comes with the honorific, “Archbishop.” Archbishop Skelton is the first woman to be elected an Archbishop in the Anglican Church of Canada and the second woman in the Anglican Communion with the title Archbishop. The Most Rev. Kay Maree Goldsworthy was elected Archbishop of Perth in the Anglican Province of Western Australia through a similar process to the Electoral College method used by the Ecclesiastical Province of BC/ Yukon. Archbishop Goldsworthy was installed February 10, 2018. The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori was elected June 18, 2006 to a ten-year term as Presiding Bishop (Pri- mate) of the Episcopal Church but that office does not come with the title, Archbishop. The Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon is one of four Provinces that comprise the Anglican Church of Canada and is made up of six dioceses: • Yukon • Caledonia (northern British Columbia) • Territory of the People (central British Columbia, formerly the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior and prior to that, diocese of Cariboo) • Kootenay (the eastern part of British Columbia including the Okanagan) • British Columbia (Vancouver Island and the coastal islands) • New Westminster (the urban and suburban communities of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley including the Sunshine Coast, from Powell River to Hope). Twenty-one of the twenty-four members (which includes the six bishops of the Provincial House of Bishops) of the Provincial Electoral College were present via telephone conference electronic voting to cast their ballots. This vote was historic not only because the first woman was elected Archbishop it was also the first election of this type held entirely by electronic means. Three members of the Provincial House of Bishops: the Right Reverends: Logan McMenamie (BC), Larry Robertson (Yukon), and Melissa Skelton (New Westminster) had previously agreed to stand for election. Archbishop Melissa Skelton will replace the Rt. Rev. John Privett, formerly Bishop of the diocese of Kootenay who had resigned as Metropolitan effective April 30, 2018, and resigned his ministry as diocesan bishop May 31, 2018. With Archbishop Skelton’s election, the Metropolitan’s Crozier (the Archbishop’s staff) returns to the diocese of New Westminster after 25 years (on June 9). The seventh Bishop of the diocese of New Westminster, Archbishop Douglas Hambidge was Metropolitan from 1981 – 1993. When asked for reaction about this historic election, Archbishop Skelton said: “I’m thrilled and deeply grateful for the support of so many in this process: the Provincial House of Bishops, Executive Council mem- bers, and those who worked diligently to create the electronic/ phone balloting process that we used today. Succeeding Arch- bishop John Privett is a humbling task. My hope and conviction is that we’re now embarking on a time of increasing cooperation and purpose in the life of our Province that will build on Archbishop CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 PHOTO Bayne Stanley For more Diocesan news and events visit www.vancouver.anglican.ca 2 SUMMER 2018 Responses to the AEA Letter in April’s Topic In the April 2018 issue of Topic we printed a letter in the Opinion section (page 19) prepared mendations about the future of print publications in the Anglican Church of Canada.” by the Executive of the Anglican Editors Association and circulated by that organization According to the AEA executive, if there ceases to be a print version of the Anglican to the 19 editors of the diocesan publication of the Anglican Church of Canada. Topic is Journal delivered to homes and parishes that would likely mean that most if not all of the one of those publications. In the letter, readers were informed that a working group had diocesan papers would cease to be produced. Topic readers were requested to respond and been struck by the Council of General Synod (CoGS) to study communications and one these are the responses we received: of the issues before the “working group is to consider the options and to make recom- I’m responding to an article in the April edition I very much value the print form of the Anglican It gives us great concern when, once again, there those without a stable income to be able to own of Topic, I’m thinking that there might be a mes- Journal and the diocesan news that accompanies are thoughts of no longer providing print edi- the necessary “equipment” to receive written sage in this. it. I read with great interest the news, letters and tions of the Anglican Journal and our diocesan material digitally. articles that keep me in touch with other parts paper, Topic. I understand that in this speeded up world, elec- The printed paper(s) provides everyone with of this vast country, most of which I have never tronic newsletters are much less expensive, and These two papers provide a real connection with many opportunities to read them more than had the opportunity to visit. in fact I already receive two or three of these from the wider and larger Anglican Church, as well as once, and at their leisure; and to easily share parts other organizations. What’s true for me is when It also keeps me informed of events at the our own diocese, helping to keep everyone in- of the paper(s) with friends/neighbours. these show up in my inbox, I scan the headlines, national level of the Anglican community and formed of the work and ministry of the Church as It would be a great loss to many, many folks, but rarely read full articles. One of the things I rel- gives me a sense of communion with many other a whole, and of the parishes and the communities not to have the printed edition of the Anglican ish about the print versions of both the Anglican Anglicans across Canada. in which they are located. Journal, and our diocesan paper, Topic, delivered Journal and Topic is that I can read them at my In Topic it is great to read about the activities of There also seems to be an assumption that all as it has been for as long as we can remember. leisure, and over time they have become part of other parishes in our own diocese and to see people are technologically connected which, my daily routine. photographs of some of the happenings. we would suggest, discriminates against some Sincerely, I really love being able to read and ponder over of the most vulnerable, such as the elderly, low Joy Cox & Margaret Peake I plead with the groups that are studying the an article while having a cup of tea or coffee, income, those who are without a home, and All Saints Anglican Church, Mission W future of the print newspapers, please do not do and it often takes me a full month to read both away with these important connections, which I publications. I know a lot of thought and revision look forward to receiving in my mailbox. If I got my Anglican Journal and Topic by email To not have the benefit of Topic, which I consider goes into every piece that is published, and I’d be only, I would be highly unlikely to read them. an effective and necessary communications tool very disappointed if a decision is made to move Sincerely, And I’m only 67. I spend as little time as possible of the diocese, would be a considerable blow to to electronic form. Hope the AEA will be given Monica Hanna, with “screens.” our diocesan efforts to share our diocesan life a voice in this! Langley BC W together. Topic enables a segment of the dioc- Of my fellow altar guild members, although most Sincerely, esan population to read and see happenings in (not all) can get their schedules by email, it turns Mary Gillanders I hope our church can continue to produce both the diocese, people that are not able to access out they all want a printed-paper schedule as St. Dunstan’s, Aldergrove W newspapers in print form. A large amount of information by computer especially. Therefore I well. “I have a place I keep that” is the cry. So I am material now arrives via the Internet, and I find would strongly urge continuation of this impor- not alone. I enjoy both physical papers. Thanks I skip over much of it. Print versions are more tant and vital communication means. I wish to express my wonderment at the (sug- to the AEA for their letter. comfortable to read, and in particular it is much gested) discontinuing of the Anglican Journal easier to go back and reread sections of special Sincerely, Sincerely, that I am sure is enjoyed by many. I read it almost interest. My feelings may reflect advancing years Susan Christou, Len Dyer, Deacon (retired) from cover to cover. It is like a tradition. Why are and a lifetime of using print media, but I notice St. Agnes, North Vancouver W The Church of the Epiphany, Surrey W all the good old traditions being scrapped? Older that book sales seem to be recovering from the people don’t always want to, or have the facility slump that followed the introduction of Kindle to go online for updates.