Tomorrow, Sunday, we'll celebrate the ancient and somewhat weird feast of Candlemas.

It's been 40 days since we celebrated Christmas, and in Jewish tradition (which was also transferred into the church), after 40 days was a time for child and mother to re-enter the community.  Accordingly, it's the day the church celebrates Jesus being presented in the Jewish temple.

Since at least the middle ages, churches have blessed the candles for use for the upcoming year on or around February 2 - and this year, we're transferring it a day backward to Sunday so we can do that together.

It's also a time when, more broadly, we signify that the bleakest days of the year are over (do y'all feel like you could use a little of that right now?) and we move toward the thaw of spring.

Please bring along a candle if you'd like to have it blessed - and we'll also have some on hand to hand out as we celebrate this feast of light.

You can read more about Presentation / Candlemas, including a sermon from Rev. Rachel Twigg from our sister community St Benedict's table, here. 

Join in for worship tomorrow at 4pm.

Ernest will be preaching on power of love over death and how we are called as church to live that out in the current historical moment.

The band leads us in joyful song including some great spirituals, a big hymn and some contemplative gems and even a protest song or two ...

Lucy is with the youth. Abi and Amaya are with the children.

There will be bread and wine.  Lynn presides at Christ's table, open for all to receive ...

Come ...

The order of service leaflet is here.

This church would not survive without its members' participation. To sign up for scripture reading or other helping roles, click here.

Image: Presentation of Jesus at the Temple Icon from Saint Paraskevi Church in Langada. Public Domain. Wikicommons

In autumn 2025 abbeychurch spent eight weeks in an experimental alternation between meeting together at church for worship and meeting in smaller groups in the homes of five selected hosts. This allowed for a different type of worship as well as a different type of connection between members of the church. We followed the Anglican Gospel-Based Discipleship liturgy available here.

Now we want to hear from you! Click the button below to submit an answer through Google Forms. It may ask you to log in to your google account, but this is just to filter out spambots. Your responses will be kept anonymous and we can't see the account that any individual submission is tied to.

This week our spotlight lands on Cathy Victor, who has graced our community with her preaching, presence, and positivity for some time now. Please enjoy this spotlight on Cathy and getting to see her a little clearer.

Tell us a little about yourself/selves.

You can read my biography on the abbeychurch website.

 How did you find yourself at AbbeyChurch? What continues to draw you here?

 Last year I became aware of the Abbey through several friends who had gone to worship there, and I was curious to experience worship in a new and fresh way.

I am attracted to the multifaceted style of worship, where the music, the liturgy and varied denominational practices blend together in a peaceful, meditative way.

As a Presbyterian pastor, I find the Abbey to be a space where I can simply take a deep breath and worship, amid an added sense of lightness.

 Tell us a bit about your faith journey. Was there a spiritual background to your childhood?

 As a kid growing up in Winnipeg, I attended a United Church with my family. There were many things there that drew me in; the beauty of the sanctuary, singing my first solos as a young kid, going to church camp, but there was one significant moment that stands out. I was in hospital for an extended period. My family was worried. One Sunday afternoon my minister came to see me carrying a big bouquet of flowers, that had been in the sanctuary that morning. All I remember thinking was, ‘That’s for me? I’m just a kid!’ My minister’s kindness still blesses me. My Ukrainian grandparents were Ukrainian Catholic, and some of the small experiences I had in that world also made an impact.

A few years later in Montreal the United church youth group I attended, started meeting with other youth groups from different churches. And I met Ian, the young man I would later marry. The Presbyterian minister leading the gatherings became a close friend and eventually married us.

My faith journey has gone down a lot of different roads all across this country. I studied Fine Arts, we had three kids, I worked with people with special needs, and eventually I was ordained. My husband Ian was ordained soon after we were married, and so it was churches that called us all over. Unfortunately he died suddenly eleven years ago.

 How do you fill your time? What brings you joy?

 I do find joy in so many ways though. I have pastored a number of churches, and been a chaplain in a children’s hospital and in a long term care home. I think now, I feel like I’m a bit of an undercover chaplain in the community, especially among the homeless that I chat with. Those moments are a source of joy. I carry socks and granola bars in my car to hand out to those begging for help. I love our conversations. Now that I’m technically retired my painting studio fills more time than it has in the past. I love that too.

 What is a cause or concern that moves you deeply/ that you are passionate about?

 Another thing that  is close to my heart is being an ally to my gender fluid grand kid. We spend as much time together as possible, and being an ally within the LGBTQ+ community that deals with so much judgement, is of huge importance to me.

 Where do you sense God is at work today - in yourself, in our community, in the world?

God seems to be unburying gifts that have laid dormant in my life for some time. And so, for me, I seem to be in a liminal time, and I trust that God’s ‘Secret Providence’ will guide me across new thresholds with an open heart.

Hey friends. As noted above, The AbbeyCouncil has decided to take a bit of a pause on livestreaming for a bit.  

We value you!  If you're someone who joins us regularly from a distance or values the livestream for whatever reason, please do let us know.  We're still discerning about the future of livestreaming our worship or even posting sermons - so we'd love your feedback and will take it to heart. 

Please email council@abbeychurch.ca with your thoughts!

Thanks.

image: Brett Jordan via unsplash

Our current funding cycle is winding down.  We're grateful to the ProVision fund of the United Church for extending this - and we continue to seek donations so we can partner with QomQem.  It's not too late to help out with donations or volunteering...   You can donate for their Fundrazr at the link below, or on our CanadaHelps page (which gets you a charitable tax receipt)

Currently they are in urgent need of warm hats/toques, mitts, gloves, and scarves, umbrellas, hand warmers.  As you bring out your winter gear for the season, consider bringing anything that doesn't fit or see much use. As long as it's in good shape then please drop that in the treasure chest at the back of the sanctuary! 

After a brief hiatus, and with the appointment of a new Director, we are excited to hear that our friends at QomQem are starting Sunday evening outreach to the street community. 

Non-perishable food donations are welcome in the trunk in the back of the Church.  You can also give financial donations through the Abbey Church on our Canada Helps page at this link. and designate funds to support QomQem OR North Park food hampers program.  All donations through this page will receive a tax receipt and 100% of those funds designated will be transferred directly to support this important on the ground work!  

QomQem translates to Strong in several Coast Salish languages, including SENĆOŦEN, lək̓ʷəŋən, and HUL’Q’UMI’NUM’.  QomQem Coastal Connections is rooted in Indigenous teachings related to building and maintaining strong connections to the self, to communities, and to the territories around us.

We've at Emmaus and AbbeyChurch have been a part of helping out on hampers for a while.  If you can help out somewhat regularly, please do drop them a line!

If you would like to give to support the work NPNA does in serving food to our neighbours you can do so at this link.

AbbeyYouth is in a period of reimagination as we look to partner with The Place and North Park Neighbourhood Association on a youth group that is more resourced, more structured, and available to more youth than just our little flock.

We will spend time together brainstorming what that could look like, where it could be, and what kind of activities should be included.

We will also spend time cooking and sharing a meal together. If you have any meal suggestions, please feel free to email youth@abbeychurch.ca. Please also reach out if you have any other questions!

NOTE: Morning Prayer is back in full swing.  Join us at any of these times:

+ Mondays at 9am - Morning Prayer with Centering Prayer @ The Upper Room (aka AbbeyChurch office - off the Balmoral parking lot, metal stairs up) - in-person only.  There is not usually AM prayer on holiday Mondays. 

+ Tuesdays at 9am - Morning Prayer  @ Emmaus/AbbeyChurch Upper Room  (off the Balmoral parking lot, metal stairs up) - in-person and online.

+ Thursdays at 8:15am - Morning Prayer - @ The Upper Room  (off the Balmoral parking lot, metal stairs up) - in-person and online.

+ Fridays at 8:15am - Morning Prayer - online on zoom only.

Our weekday common prayer is liturgical in nature and based on ancient monastic practices.

It's open to all who wish to join in-person or online.

We sometimes chant the psalms, listen to a reading or readings assigned for the day, have a short period of silence, sharing and intercessory prayer.

The liturgies and psalter for weekday prayer are posted here.  

Please do email for a zoom link if you are joining online.

The Emmaus Community is a neo-monastic intentional community of ordinary people who commit ourselves to following Jesus in ways akin to the monastic life.

The AbbeyChurch is a Sunday worship expression of the Emmaus Community. 

Not all AbbeyChurch folks are part of Emmaus - you're welcome to be a part of AbbeyChurch regardless of connection to Emmaus!

As a witness to unity and diversity, we are an ecumenical shared ministry of The United Church of Canada and The Anglican Church of Canada. We intentionally draw on the 'jewels' of these traditions, as well as the wider church.

The Emmaus Community and the AbbeyChurch acknowledge that we worship, take action and pray on the stolen territory of the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations, the Lək̓ʷəŋən  peoples'.

We're grateful for your contributions to our common life as both Emmaus and the AbbeyChurch.

We are  our own registered CRA charity and have our own bank account!

We  accept e-transfers to treasurer@emmauscommunity.ca for charitable donations.  If you'd like a charitable receipt, please email your contact information to that same address or fill out this form so we can send you a receipt at tax time.

In addition to the many ways to participate, there are a number of ways you can give finanically - including PAR (monthly withdrawl), CanadaHelps (one-time giving) and by cash or debit (via Square) on Sundays at AbbeyChurch. 

You can read more about the options and a bit about our finances here. 

In this section, and posted below, are things that folks have flagged as wanting to share with the community.  If you have something you'd like to add, please email admin@abbeychurch.ca and we'll do our best to get it in!

This is a land-based 4-day camp that will be held at Camp Fircom on beautiful Gambier Island in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. Participants will engage in a land-based immersive experience led by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh knowledge-holders and land-based practitioners.

This is an event geared toward community leaders, young adults, and anyone looking to decolonize their programming. All accommodation, meals, and travel by water taxi to Camp Fircom are included.

This event is hosted by LeaderShift - a ministry of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council geared toward better equipping church leaders to face today's complex world. Speak to Michelle Slater for more details about LeaderShift.

Bursaries are available to cover costs - no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.