Our 125th Anniversary
In November 1899 the first service was held at St. John's, North Vancouver. The Church is actually older than the City of North Vancouver itself, being incorporated in 1907. For a more detailed view of out rich history, please click on this link. There were a number of projects and events planned by the 125 Anniversary Planning Committee chaired by Donna (Who happens to be St. John's newest Inductee to the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster). Below are the Project and events we celebrated this year.
125th Anniversary Cookbook
2024 marked the 125th Anniversary of St. John's and planning for this year long celebration started in 2022 with Raili's idea of a 125th Anniversary Parish Cookbook entitle Food, Faith and Fellowship. It is a wonderful collection of the best recipes form our parishioners. A few copies are still available if you are interested.
Raili wrote this for the introduction to the cookbook. "I have attended St. John's for 20 years now and 3 years ago when we weren't able to attend church due to Covid, I started thinking about something fun we could all do together without meeting in person. I wanted it to be useful, something that would join our church family together, provide us with a way to remember people and also leave a lasting legacy for all of us to treasure, especially on our 125th anniversary. I love cookbooks and baking, so this was a perfect way to achieve all of this.
As the recipes came in I enjoyed reading each and every one immensely, and every one put a smile on my face as they reminded me of all the special people who attend St. Johns or are connected to someone who attends. What a wonderful way to bring us all together!
I wish to thank all the recipe contributors, everyone who helped with editing, contributed photos and supported me in this task. This was a project of love and I'm so glad we did it together!
Happy cooking everyone!"
125th New Year's Kick Off
Our year long celebration actually started in the final few moments of 2023. Our annual Zoom New Year's Eve Party was very special as we welcomed in the year with much anticipation as well as joy.
125th Anniversary Concert
Music has always been a huge and important part of our worship at St. John's. What better way to celebrate this and our 125th Anniversary than have a special music concert? On Saturday, May 18 our magnificent Choir performed hymns and songs that have moved, inspired and connected us over the years. Each piece was introduced by a speaker who, in their own words, explained why the song had been important and meaningful to them over the years. A big thank you to Music Director Galina Martyniouk, Choir Director Christie Smith and the St. John's Choir along with musicians Denis Tymoshenko, Margaret Thompson and John Thompson. For more, please click here.
Special Mother's Day Tea and Coffee Hour
As a part of our 125th Anniversary St. Clement's wanted to acknowledge that St. John's was the "Mother Church" for many of the Anglican Churches on the North Shore including St. Clement's. Thank you to the Venerable Peggy Trendell-Jenson for organizing this and thanks to those who helped out and made our Mother's Day even more special. Thank you St. Clements! Please click here for more.
125th Anniversary Summer Tea
We usually have a Summer Tea, but this year was very special. So special we even ordered 3-tiered porcelain serving trays for the event. As one parishioner noted, "They look very posh". The tea saw a huge turnout and was a wonderful feast of sweet and savoury. Please click here for more.
St. John’s Welcome Back Cookbook Potluck Lunch
For the Anniversary Welcome Back Lunch in September we asked parishioners to bring something from the Anniversary Cookbook. In the introduction to the cookbook Patrick wrote, "The people of Saint John's love food and it shows. Our potlucks are always two thumbs up, five out of five stars and worthy of Michelin recognition. The Christian importance of breaking bread together and eating together underlines our festive gatherings and good food simply adds to our thanks for God's abundance. I can attest that you will enjoy each and every recipe you try in this cookbook, as I have eaten most of them myself over the past 11 years. They are the best of the best"! Yes, the Anniversary Potluck was that good.
Three Thanksgiving Toasts
As a part of our 125th Anniversary on our Thanksgiving Sunday Service we tried something a little different. We have much gratitude for the 125 years of St. John's Doing God's Love through worship, hospitality and outreach. The sermon time on Thanksgiving Sunday was in three parts - Gratitude for our Past by Donna, Our Present by the Rev. Patrick Blaney and Our Future by Christine Williams. If you would like to read them please click here. Thanks to the toasters and to those who helped out pouring and service our sparkling apple juice in our fancy dixi cups.
My Best Memory of St. John's
As we celebrate this year, we knew that each of us has special memories of our time at St. John's Anglican Church. Maybe as a child here they remember Sunday School. Maybe as some who just started attending St. John's, they were warmly welcomed by someone here. Old or new, we wanted to collect those memories and celebrate them at our big anniversary service that was on November 3rd, 2024. All those memories were shared and placed around the altar, in an offering of thanksgiving for 125 years of fellowship and faith. Please click here for more.
Our 125th Anniversary Sunday Service
This was the big event of the year. This was the day we celebrated the actual anniversary itself. There were many special elements to the service. Past Priests of St. John's were invited. June Maffin could not attend, but sent a very moving message that was read by Linda. Gary Hamblin and Dan Meakes were able to attend. Also in attendance was The Archdeacon for Deacons, the Venerable Peggy Trendell-Jensen. With Patrick, our current Priest, all four gave a shared sermon about "What the spirit of St. John's means to me".
We also had three very wonderful gifts that were commissioned for the occasion and received and blessed at the service. One was a new Church Banner created by local textile artist Thomas Roach and donated by Ann in memory of her loving husband Bruce (Click here). The other was new Choir Robes given by an anonymous donor. They are lovely and look wonderful on our Choir members (Click here). The last was a poem about St. John's history written by local poet Russell Thornton. Entitled, "The Church Not Made With Hands", it is an inspiring and touching work that praises the people who make St. John's the special place that it is (Click here)
Our Choir, our Choir Director Christie and our musical Director Galina more than rose to the occasion. The music throughout was superb and the two new anthems they performed were fantastic.
North Vacouver City Mayor Linda Buchanan was also in attendance and presented a plaque to St. John's. In her presentation Mayor Buchanan noted, as mentioned above, that St. Johns was actually older than the city itself.
After the service we had a wonderful catered lunch. Many thanks to all those who helped plan this very memorable event. The service was outstanding and inspiring.
Anniversary Evensong on December 7
Heritage Moments
As a part of our ongoing year long celebration a new feature was added to our Sunday Service bulletins. Heritage Moments were short excerpts from the St. John's History Book written by Beth Lawrence for the 100th Anniversary. The addition was very popular and in a lovely note of serendipity Beth Lawrence's daughter Donna added the moments in her capacity of Office Administrator at St John's; a position her Mother held as well.
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