The picture is of our historic church, St. Mary the Virgin. I wanted to show you how beautiful the flowers were last weekend!

Our Sunday Morning Service is in-person.  Come and experience God's blessings in the community.  Masks are available if you wish to use them.

Families with children of all ages are welcome. There is a corner with comfy sofas, and Sunday School is available.

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.

The texts for this Sunday are:

• Acts 4:5-12
• Psalm 23
• 1 John 3:16-24
• John 10:11-18

Full text can be found HERE.

Deacon Wally invites everyone to a discussion on the two talks the Rev Dr John Thatamanil gave at the "We Together" conference April 13.  Loretta, Pearl and Wally were there. Grab a goodie, tea or coffee, or sip a bit of another drink and join the rich conversation.  

Copies are attached – John is very interested to know what our thoughts are.  

Baptism and Renewal of Baptismal Vows by Immersion on the Day of Pentecost, May 19, 2024.

I clearly remember my own baptism in a northern Alberta lake when I was 12 years old. My baptism forever changed me. Going into the water of the lake with the waves gently rocking me was a very tactile experience. Of course, I had been in lakes and rivers before. But this time it wasn’t for play. And it wasn’t like being in the bathtub or a pool for that matter. This water wasn’t tame, warm, and sanitized. It was wild, cold, and filled with life. I knew I was crossing a boundary. A before and after moment. I had been well prepared for this event. I had learned about repentance and turning away from the things of this world and turning to God. I had learned about the symbolism of death and rebirth. I was going to go down into that water and come up a new creation; dying to self and being reborn into the abundant life Christ had promised me. When I went down into that living water, I felt myself surrender to God. When I came back up, the water flowing off me felt like it was rinsing off my old life, my sins, my ego, my disappointments, my shame. There was this indescribable joy and peace which enveloped me.

St. Mary’s is having a baptism by immersion on the Day of Pentecost, May 19, 2024. We have one confirmed candidate, Joel Kroeker. We welcome anyone else who wishes to be baptised on this day. As is usual during any baptism, there will be an opportunity to renew your baptismal vows if you have already been baptised. What is unusual is that we have permission from Bishop Anna to do the renewal of baptismal vows by immersion for those who wish to! If you are interested in finding out more about this, please join us for what promises to be a lively conversation on baptism, how and why we do it, and what it means on the following dates:

• Sunday April 14: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in person at St. Mary’s
• Monday April 22: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Zoom
• Sunday April 28: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Zoom
• Sunday May 5: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in person at St. Mary’s
• Sunday May 12: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Zoom

Zoom link: https://tcd-ie.zoom.us/j/99585253530?pwd=dDYzSWZUdW9wUWxQQVFzRlk3emxVZz09

The fourth Sunday of each month, we bring a bit of food for the potluck, and maybe a spiritual question that a few people over a leisurely supper can discuss safely together.  People decide what the topic[s] will be, so each table is unique.  Part of the fun is that we don't know who we will join, what we will discuss, or what we will eat.   

The doors are open by 5:30, and we try to start the meal at 6:00 [Metchosin time] and finish by 8:00.  

No reservation needed.  

Questions?   Call Wally Eamer at 250-888-6376. 

The Junior Youth Group (grades 5-8) meet on the first Friday of the month.  We play games, go bouldering, go to sports games, play sports, watch movies - nothing is off the table.  Primarily we are about building community, and ultimately paying attention to our relationship with God through Jesus.  (We tend to be light on religion and heavy on fun.)

Join us as we celebrate Deacon Wally Eamer and his 16 years of ministry in the Diocese. Wally was ordained a deacon on November 25^th, 2008, and retires on Sunday May 5^th, 2024.

Wally served as deacon at St. Peter & St. Paul, Esquimalt, Holy Trinity Sooke, and St. Marys’ Metchosin. As Bishop Anna said in her announcement letter (attached),

Wally has faithfully served as your deacon, and as a leader amongst deacons in the diocese. His interests in environmental sustainability, pilgrimage and indigenous relations have made him a compelling example of Christ’s servant ministry to the wider world. Within the parish, Wally also stepped up in ways above and beyond our normal expectations of a deacon, by providing day to day leadership following the departure of your previous incumbent.  

A potluck lunch will follow the service on May 5^th, 2024. Bring a dish if you are able. Please RSVP to Dawne, our office administrator at 250-474-4119 or admin@stmarysmetchosin.ca so we will know how many tables and chairs to set up.

Everyone is welcome to Messy Church.  Join us for dinner and family focused fun for kids, including crafts, music, story time, games, etc.

The fourth Sunday of each month, we bring a bit of food for the potluck, and maybe a spiritual question that a few people over a leisurely supper can discuss safely together.  People decide what the topic[s] will be, so each table is unique.   Part of the fun is that we don't know who we will join, what we will discuss, or what we will eat.   

The doors are open by 5:30, and we try to start the meal at 6:00 [Metchosin time] and finish by 8:00.  

No reservation needed.  

Questions?   Call Wally Eamer at 250-888-6376. 

The texts for Sunday April 28 are:

• Acts 8:26-40
• Psalm 22:25-31
• 1 John 4:7-21
• John 15:1-8

The full text can be found HERE.