St. Marys' Metchosin | Anglican Church in Victoria, BC

Contact Greg Powell for more details: 250-304-9316,

Greg.a.powell@gmail.com

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the parishioners of this parish will be held on the 23^rd day of February at 11:30 am in the sanctuary of St. Mary of the Incarnation for the purpose of presenting the 2025 budget for approval and electing members to parish council and lay delegate to synod.

All are welcome to attend.
In order to vote at the meeting, one must be a parishioner of at least 16 years of age and have been in regular attendance at a church in the diocese for a period of three months immediately preceding the meeting, unless unable to attend due to health or other reasonable causes. (Note: One cannot be a voting member of more than one parish.)

An elector who is unable to attend a meeting in person may in writing appoint another elector to attend and vote on their behalf by proxy, provided that no elector may hold more than one proxy at any meeting. A proxy is valid only for the one meeting to which it refers.

Please prayerfully consider nominating someone to serve on parish council, this includes yourselves. Parish Council should be between three and twelve members in addition to the ex-officio members (Clergy, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary).

Positions on council for nomination and election include:

People’s Warden (nominated and elected by the parish): This position is currently held by Joel Kroeker.

Secretary: This role can be nominated and elected by the parish without standing on parish council or parish council can elect from among its members. This individual takes the minutes at parish council meetings, creates the agenda with the input of the incumbent and sends it to the parish council in advance of meetings.

Lay Delegate to Synod (nominated and elected by the parish): This role joins the biannual synod meeting and represents the parish, voting on their behalf. They are permitted but not required to attend parish council and have voting rights at council.

Alternative Lay Delegate to Synod: (nominated and elected by the parish): In the event that the elected Lay Delegate is unable to attend synod.

A minimum of three additional members to a maximum of twelve.

Positions appointed include:

Rector’s Warden (appointed by the incumbent): Blaine has agreed to remain in this position for 2025

Rector’s Deputy Warden (appointed by the incumbent): This year we would like to add a position to assist Blaine.

Treasurer (appointed by the incumbent and churchwardens with the consent of the parish council): This role is currently filled by Jane Hammond who has agreed to stay on for 2025.

A Unique Opportunity for St. Mary's to
Partner with the Metchosin Foundation

Parish Council was delighted to have Morgan Yates present a proposal on a partnership opportunity with the Metchosin Foundation.

The Bilston Conservation Corridor Project: A multi-year, multi-agency initiative, seeking to preserve intact habitat and biodiversity, within the heart of the Bilston Creek Watershed. Working in collaboration with supportive local landowners, secure an interconnected corridor of diverse habitats, from hilltop headwaters to the protected estuary at Witty's Lagoon. To learn more, please visit: https://metchosinfoundation.ca/bilston-conservation-corridor-project/ (Our own Heloise is the narrator!)

The Metchosin Foundation has already seen success with the creation of the Bilston Headwaters Nature Reserve as a first step in the Conservation Corridor Project. https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/chunk-of-creek-watershed-in-metchosin-to-become-a-nature-reserve-8684918

As part of the larger Conservation Corridor Project , Morgan presented a proposal is to develop a simple “Community Education & Engagement” hub, at the southern terminus of the Bilston Conservation Corridor. This would involve creating a short trail with interpretive signage. The form and scale of interpretive signage might be similar to that which has been developed for the memorial Garry Oak meadow restoration project located on the Metchosin municipal grounds, between the District office and the Farmers' Market.

The Metchosin Foundation has met with the Bilston Creek Farm who have guven their ethusiastic support and “love the idea of a native plant restoration area and path.”

Please see the attached pdf with diagrams and maps.

We will keep you updated as the project develops.