Clergy Transition
Letter from the Rector – Christine’s Retirement
Dear friends,
Over the past three years, we have been blessed by Deacon Christine's many gifts. She has been helpful in organizing our liturgical ministries and readings during the end of COVID, offered support to our refugee team as they navigated gov paperwork, especially related to housing and disability support, helped reimagine feeding ministries, supported our healing prayer team, preached and challenged us to be the church in the world. In conversation with myself and Bishop John and her own prayerful discernment she has decided that it is time for her to retire. I know this is not a decision that she arrived at easily, but with great intention, and Bishop John and myself have accepted her retirement, and subsequent resignation from her position here at St. Mary's. Her final day preaching at St. Mary's will be April 21st and her last day with us and the celebration of her ministry and retirement will be on April 28th. There will be a time to gather and say our goodbyes to her at the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on April 28th following worship. While her ministry with us will come to an end, the ways she's left her mark on St. Mary's community and the larger West Side community will continue to have a lasting impact long after her retirement.
Blessings,
Lindsay
Rev. Lindsay Marie Hills, Rector
Letter from Deacon Christine
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am writing to share with you that after twelve years of ordained ministry, the time has come for me to retire as a Deacon of the Diocese of New Westminster. As I venture forth, I would like to thank you for welcoming me and supporting me as St. Mary’s Deacon during the past three years.
I have enjoyed getting to know you, and it has been my privilege to serve you in worship and to participate in St. Mary’s many wonderful ministries. Please pray for me as I explore God’s future call for me and know that I will always hold St. Mary’s in my heart.
Wishing you many blessings as you continue to faithfully serve God and St. Mary’s, sharing the love of Christ with each other and your community.
Yours in Christ,
Christine
The Rev’d Christine Wilson