Michelle will be preaching on the call to be salt and light.

We'll do prayer stations - including optional anointing for healing, the prayer weave - and a space to be prayed with.

The band leads us in joyful song including some great African-American spirituals as we continue into Black History/African Heritage month.

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

There will be bread and wine.  Ernest 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, please click here.

Image: Scott The Painter (Scott Erickson) - from Advent Stations.

Can you believe that it's almost Lent?

On Wednesday February 18th  there are two opportunities to receive the imposition of ashes - both happening in the United Commons Chapel - enter off the parking lot.

At 9am we'll host a short, simple spoken service with imposition of Ashes with Rev. Lynn Mills presiding.

Or, you are invited to join Fairfield UC and some of the AbbeyChurch musicians (Jen on piano and Mary on harp) at 6pm in the chapel for a contemplative worship and imposition of ashes -  with chants from the Taize Community.

Please note: we won't be having Mardi Gras / Pancakes this year - but we're working with the North Park Neighbourhood Association and other neighbourhood friends to do a big "Spring Fling" post-Easter celebration as well as an upcoming Contra Dance.  Stay tuned for details!

This isn't so much a spotlight, but a note that Evelyn May Cresswell (Feb 20, 1937 - Feb 5, 2026) died last week.  Evelyn attended AbbeyChurch quite regularly until she was physically unable to - she last visited us once last year - and who blessed us with her poetry and prophetic witness when she did. 

Evelyn shared her many stories of her work in Apartheid South Africa, where, as a very young person, she was commissioned by her friend Desmond Tutu to cross the 'colour line' and de-segregate the Anglican Cathedral.  She was associated with the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Lesotho and inspired us in the neo-monastic witness of Emmaus Community.  She engaged much risk and had many beautiful stories of her prophetic life.  Here in Victoria, she wrote excellent poetry and was passionate about faith and justice.   Her book "Keeping the Hours" spoke of her journey and featured a forward by Desmond Tutu. 

May Evelyn rest in power and peace, and rise in glory.  Evelyn May Cresswell, Presente!

We're still working out the future of livestreams - we've received feedback that they are important to many of you - so expect an update soon.

In the meantime, here are some highlights from last week's worship where Ernest preached a rousing sermon on 'bringing back the devil' to help us understand how to be a prophetic witness in these troubled days of violence and oppression.

The band also led us in some rousing renditions of Amazing Grace (to the tune of House of the Rising Sun a la the Blind Boys of Alabama), This Little Light of Mine, and some other contemplative gems. 

Check out the highlights at the link (YouTube)

Our own Jen S., AbbeyChurch musician and AbbeyCouncil member and gardener extraordinare is walking in this year's Coldest Night of the Year to support Our Place.

Chat with Jen if you'd like to sponsor her or get involved in other ways!

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!

Our current funding cycle is winding down - tonight might be the last night - although we're talking about going until the end of the month.  More details in next week's newsletter.

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.

NOTE: Morning Prayer happens 4 weekday mornings - 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!