From January 2025-June 2026, St. John’s Vancouver will:

Be one Church of multiple congregations, unified under the centrality of the gospel, 

Honour our historic identity and reflect our distinctive place in God’s mission as Anglican Christians committed to rich liturgy, biblical authority, pastoral generosity, global and local engagement, being a training, resourcing and sending community,

Have a deepening reliance on God the Father which will lead to an increase in prayer, praise, ministry momentum, honouring the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit a growing love for one another,

Trust God to lead us to a new home reaching an increasingly diverse, densified and disconnected city and beyond with the Gospel of Christ, seeing many people come to faith, discipled to maturity and becoming faithful servants of God’s church.

For those who are new or may need a reminder, here is an overview of the process for selecting our next rector:

October 2024:

• Upon David’s announcement of his retirement, a Rector Search Committee was formed.

• The committee has developed a parish profile and job description. Click here to view.

• The position has been posted in relevant locations. Please feel free to share this with anyone you believe may be interested.

• The committee will be accepting applications until February 15, 2025, after which shortlisted candidates will begin the interview process.

Updates on the Search

• At this stage, there are no significant updates, as the committee continues to receive applications.

Celebrating our 100th anniversary is not just a milestone, but a testament to God’s faithfulness in His mission in Vancouver. We know that our history includes both moments of great joy and times of heartache.

So, in the coming months, we want to create opportunities for every generation at St. John’s to reflect, give thanks, lament, and rejoice. These will be opportunities to strengthen our faith in God, renew our hope in Christ, and deepen our unity in the Holy Spirit.

Here are the key events:

• February 10 & April 7 – Special Parish Prayer Meetings: The first prayer meeting will provide space to grieve—both for the current transition as we say goodbye to David and Bron, and for any historical pain connected to the Anglican crisis. The second prayer meeting will focus on entrusting the future of St. John’s into God’s safe hands.

• February 24 – Special Vestry: In this meeting, we will reflect on God’s work in the past year within the context of the last 100 years of ministry at St. John’s.

• March 2 – Vestry Recap Lunch: This lunch will follow the 10 a.m. service and is designed for those who were unable to attend the Vestry meeting the previous week (like families with young children). There will not be any voting at this event, but David will share a ministry reflection.

• May 25 – David’s Farewell Sermon: David will preach for the final time at St. John’s as rector, at all three services. A special Bach Cantata will be performed at the 10 a.m. service with cake afterwards, and there will be a reception after the 6 p.m. service.

• April 5 — Women’s Brunch with Bron: A special opportunity for the women of our community to hear Bron preach and enjoy a meal together.

• June 14 – Centennial Gala: This ticketed event will feature dinner, entertainment, and speeches. A link to purchase tickets will be available soon.

• June 15 – Homecoming Sunday: There will be special music at the 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. services to celebrate and say goodbye to David and Bron on their last Sunday.

• July 6 – Parish Picnic: All ages are welcome to this special farewell event for Bronwyn Short.

• September 26-28 – Our Parish Retreat: This will be an important opportunity for our entire church family to rest, play, and grow through Bible teaching, worship, and fellowship.

Note: Additional events may be added, so please check our events page regularly for updates.

Collect for a Season of Transition

Almighty God, whose faithfulness is from generation to generation: We praise you for your goodness over the last 100 years, and ask for your grace for the next 18 months. Deepen our confidence in and reliance upon you, strengthen our unity in you, increase our joy in you, keep us faithful to the ministry and mission we have received from you, and provide a home where we can worship and serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please join us in praying for the following:

• That we would encourage and support one another, particularly those who are struggling with the transition.

• For the committees involved in the rector search and the centennial celebrations.

• To praise God for His faithfulness over the last century

• That we would look to the future with confidence, trusting in God’s plans for St. John’s.

• For the upcoming Special Vestry meeting, that it would be a time of reflection and unity.

• For David, Bron, and the new rector as they navigate these transitions.

• That we would be unified as a community, working together to build a strong future for St. John’s.