As we journey together through these holiest of days, Bishop Anna will share reflections, beginning today with Maundy Thursday.  I encourage you to return to this link each day until Sunday to hear each message.

Dear friends, this is the night. This is the night when any sane person would be calling a lawyer, hatching an escape plan, confronting the friends who are about to betray him, sorting out how to evade the authorities who are coming for him. But this is not what happens this night. This night, our Lord and Saviour takes a towel and a basin and does the servant's work of washing the feet. 

And we are uncomfortable. We are unclear what is happening here. We protest. Because we have been too busy arguing amongst ourselves about who is the greatest. We have not understood the parables. The parables of good Samaritans and generous hosts. We have not understood the beatitudes about the poor and the meek.  

And so, Jesus this night is arrested. He is betrayed with a kiss and we flee into the night, uncertain and afraid, abandoning him at his hour of need. But one day, one day, we will understand this new commandment that we are to love one another as he has loved us. That there is no greater love than this: than to lay down one's life for one's friends. 

And so, my friends, this night we take a towel and a basin, and we remember, and we commit ourselves to this new path, to this new commandment of love. Blessings this Maundy Thursday.

This Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 5:30 pm we will gather for an Agape Meal which will include foot washing, potluck meal and integrated Eucharistic service. 

I thought it would be appropriate and really fun to have recipes from the Middle East for this meal. I will provide the recipes for adventurous cooks. However, if you would rather prepare (or purchase) something else, that’s fine too! Please use the sign-up sheet in the foyer to indicate what dish you are bringing and how many people will be attending.

Suggested Middle Eastern Dishes for Agape Meal:

Recipes provided. The Damascus Food Market (942 Hillside Ave, Victoria, BC ) will have some of the regional ingredients. Some of these items are easiest to purchase such as the humus and pita bread.

Salads:

•    Parsley & Barley Salad
•    Tabbouleh
•    Chopped Middle Eastern Salad

Sides:

•    Humus (homemade or store bought)
•    Mejadra (Rice & Lentils)
•    Persian Jewelled Rice
•    Pita Bread (store bought)
•    Roasted Cauliflower and Charred Eggplant with Tomato Sauce
•    Roasted Squash and Zucchini with Whipped Feta and Pistachios
•    Spicy Roasted New Potatoes with Lemon and Herbs (Batata Bil Filfil)

Mains:

•    Chicken with Caramelized Onion & Cardamom Rice
•    Lemon Chicken with Za’atar
•    Roast Lamb
•    Kofta with Tahini, Potato, and Onion
•    Falafel

Desserts:

•    Sweet Filo Cigars
•    Mutabbaq
•    Semolina, Coconut & Marmalade Cake
•    Poached Pears in White Wine & Cardamom
•    Walnut & Fruit Crumble Cream
•    Clementine & Almond Syrup Cake
•    Pistachio Harisa

Please join us for Holy Week events! And please share the attached image on your social media sites. (Found at the bottom of the website page.)

Palm Sunday: March 29^th, 10 am.

Maundy Thursday: April 2^nd, 5:30 pm. Agape Meal with Foot Washing, Potluck and Integrated Eucharist

Good Friday: April 3^rd, 11:00 am. Passion Story and Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday: April 4^th, 8:00 pm. The Great Vigil at Christchurch Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave. Victoria. This wonderful services includes all the smells and bells! (Incense and bell ringing, you are encouraged to bring your own bell)

Easter Sunday: April 5^th, 10: am.

Please join us for this beautiful Good Friday Service at 11:00 am on Friday April 3^rd. Rev. Lynn is looking for 6 readers for the Passion Story and a few more for reading the brief sections at the Stations of the Cross. Last year we had all ages participate and we would love to do the same this year.

We gather around a fire, telling the stories of our ancestors – the creation, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the valley of the dry bones – all are meant to prime us for the greatest triumph yet: Jesus’ resurrection. Don’t forget to bring your bell or other noisemaker, which we ring throughout the singing of the Gloria! 

Incense will be used. 

Easter

Worship Leader: Rev. Lynn Mills

Come as you are—
with your questions, your hopes, your joys, and your burdens—
as we open our hearts in worship, share in the Word,
and draw near to the risen and ascended Christ together.

All are welcome.
All belong.

Readings:

• Acts 10:34-43
• Ps 118:1-2, 14-24
• Colossians 3:1-4
• Matthew 28:1-10

Full Readings Here

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person. Come and experience God’s blessings in the community. Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas perfect for young families. Our Sunday school program welcomes children of all ages and abilities. Bible stories, games and crafts keep everybody busy. We’ve got something that works for everyone.

St. Mary’s is very blessed to have an extraordinary Sunday School Leader, Judy Roper.

Judy offers substantial spiritual formation in an active and engaging curriculum:

Hi folks,

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN APRIL TO MONDAY,  APRIL 6 - NOT SUNDAY,  APRIL 5.

Worship Leader: Rev. Philip Wadham

Come as you are—
with your questions, your hopes, your joys, and your burdens—
as we open our hearts in worship, share in the Word,
and draw near to the risen and ascended Christ together.

All are welcome.
All belong.

Readings:

• Acts 2:14a, 22-32
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Full Readings Here

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person. Come and experience God’s blessings in the community. Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas perfect for young families. Our Sunday school program welcomes children of all ages and abilities. Bible stories, games and crafts keep everybody busy. We’ve got something that works for everyone.

To the clergy and staff of the diocese of islands and inlets;

We've outlined important dates and events coming up in the next program year. Please take a moment to view The Year Ahead schedule: CLICK HERE.

Over the next weeks:

Apr 13-16        Clergy Conference, Parksville

May 3               Diocesan-wide Confirmations, Christ Church Cathedral

May 6-8            Provincial Congregational Development School, Terrace         

May 28              Diocesan Council, in-person       

Jun 4                  Parish Administrators' Day

Jun 21               National Indigenous People’s Day

Aug 15              Deadline for notices of motions for Diocesan Synod 2026 and nominations to

                          Diocesan Council, Provincial Synod and General Synod

Save the Dates for Fall 2026

Sept 24              Diocesan Council

Nov 20-21          Diocesan Synod

On the last weekend of the Consider the Lilies Fibre and Beyond Art Show & Sale
at the Historic Church, 4354 Metchosin Road.
St. Mary's will be hosting a tea at the New Church, 4125 Metchosin Road.

Please join us for tea, coffee and lemon tarts.

Please share the attached image on your social media.

Worship Leader: Rev. Lynn Mills

Come as you are—
with your questions, your hopes, your joys, and your burdens—
as we open our hearts in worship, share in the Word,
and draw near to the risen and ascended Christ together.

All are welcome.
All belong.

Readings:

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17
• 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Luke 24:13-35

Full Readings Here

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person. Come and experience God’s blessings in the community. Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas perfect for young families. Our Sunday school program welcomes children of all ages and abilities. Bible stories, games and crafts keep everybody busy. We’ve got something that works for everyone.

Youth Group  - Sports Afternoon

One of the beautiful gifts of parish life is simply being together — not only on Sundays, but in living rooms, kitchens, hospital rooms, and over cups of coffee or tea. To make space for that, Parish Council has increased my time slightly to allow one dedicated day each month for pastoral visits in Metchosin and the surrounding area. This will take place on the third Thursday of each month.

These visits are not only for times of crisis. They are for making connections, building relationships, and hearing the stories that shape your life and faith. If you would welcome conversation, prayer, or companionship — whether you are celebrating, struggling, wondering, or just wanting to talk — I would be glad to come. The easiest way to arrange for a visit is to use this link: https://calendly.com/lmills-bc/60min. However, I’m happy to use an exchange of emails if you’d prefer.

I look forward to sitting with you and listening well.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Lynn Mills

Everyone is welcome to St. Mary's Spiritual Potluck.
The church will be open by 5:30.
Meal starts shortly after 6, and we close down by 8:00. 

Come for great food and conversation.

Worship Leader: Rev. Philip Wadham

Come as you are—
with your questions, your hopes, your joys, and your burdens—
as we open our hearts in worship, share in the Word,
and draw near to the risen and ascended Christ together.

All are welcome.
All belong.

Readings:

• Acts 2:42-47
• Psalm 23
• 1 Peter 2:19-25
• John 10:1-10

Full Readings Here

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person. Come and experience God’s blessings in the community. Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas perfect for young families. Our Sunday school program welcomes children of all ages and abilities. Bible stories, games and crafts keep everybody busy. We’ve got something that works for everyone.

Worship Leader: Rev. Lynn Mills

Come as you are—
with your questions, your hopes, your joys, and your burdens—
as we open our hearts in worship, share in the Word,
and draw near to the risen and ascended Christ together.

All are welcome.
All belong.

Readings:

• Acts 7:55-60
• Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
• 1 Peter 2:2-10
• John 14:1-14

Full Readings Here

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person. Come and experience God’s blessings in the community. Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas perfect for young families. Our Sunday school program welcomes children of all ages and abilities. Bible stories, games and crafts keep everybody busy. We’ve got something that works for everyone.