Issue #18

Spring’s life is upon us with abundance!

Longer and warmer days combined with the hardworking Thursday morning crew of John, Dennis, Jack, Len and all others who are pitching in with shovels, rakes, weed whackers, and assorted gardening tools are turning the grounds and gardens once again into a pleasant area to admire, relax and reflect. Thank-you. We have members of our parish, visiting, working or moving, and we have Church school news, but first, a good news message from Don & Lorna.

Dear Friends and Fellow Parishioners

As you are aware I was diagnosed with lung cancer last December. Since then, I have under gone a prescribed radiation treatment at the Victoria Cancer Clinic. Last Tuesday, the 19th, the results of my last x-ray showed a marked improvement – an infinitesimal spot on my lung to quote Dr. Lim of the Cancer Centre. The power of prayer really does work, so Lorna and I would like to convey our sincerest thanks for your prayers, kind thoughts, and words of encouragement during this trying time in our lives. We really love you for this. God Bless All of You.

Cilla Watts is now in Magburaka, Sierra Leone, Africa serving with Doctors Without Borders, in the pedriatic and maternity ward in a 100 bed hospital. The town of Magburaka is about 6 hours from Freetown on a dirt road. Sierra Leone is the poorest African country, about the size of New Brunswick, and is the 3rd wettest country in the world. The language spoken is called Krio, which is a mix of French, Portuguese, Spanish & English; 60% of the population is Muslim, 30% Christian and 10% Traditional, and there is no tension between the religions. Cilla adds that she is pleased with the organization she is with, and they have made it easy for her to adapt to the local customs. Dennis will be glad to fill you in on the details, and he has an email address for Cilla if you wish to drop her a note. The last we heard from Faith D’Arcy she was in Stellenbach, South Africa and was about to visit the Cathedral crypt which had been turned in a cosy bistro with proceeds going to Aids Relief. She will be home in May. Allegra has left for Invermere to work fighting forest fires with the helicopter division, and this fall she will be attending the Justice Institute of BC for further training and upgrading as a para-medic.

We have a request from our Church school class. All used greeting cards (birthday, anniversary, get-well cards) will be greatly appreciated for a class project. If you have any used cards, please bring them to Church, they will be welcomed. Emily may be reached @ 539-2039, if you have any questions. And while on the topic of Church school, we have another request from the children’s librarian, Jane Fraser. She is asking for donations of children’s Christian books for their Church school library.

At the recent Parish Council meeting it was decided that a special collection be taken on Sunday, April 24th for Holy Trinity Church in Sooke, which was recently destroyed by fire. In addition to the funds collected, it was agreed that an additional $100 be donated from Church funds. If you would like a tax receipt for your contribution, please use your weekly envelope (with a special note) or use the general envelopes in the pews. I have also sent out an email, via Lynda at the Synod office, to all churches in the Diocese to take up the challenge to assist Holy Trinity with their rebuilding efforts.

Letters have gone out to everyone who donated to the Colombian Refugee Family Fund explaining our plans to transfer the funds and furnishings to St. Saviour’s in Victoria for their refugee family. We have had favorable responses, and therefore, hope to put everything in motion by the end of the month.