This is a belated reminder of Rev. Karen Fast's announcement at worship this past Sunday:  this week there are a number of special events and opportunities for learning about the challenges posed by homelessness.  

On Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00pm there will be a special Choral Evensong at the cathedral with the Primate, Archbishop Shane Parker, preaching and the Metropolitan, Archbishop John Stephens, presiding.

The service will be followed by a reception hosted by the Anglican Foundation of Canada. All are welcome! 

On Thursday, May 21 from 7-9 pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Dr. Siobhan Garrigan will deliver the 2026 John Albert Hall Lecture.  Her title is "A Theology of Home in a Time of Homelessness." [In case you're wondering, the lecture isn't usually two hours long, but provides ample time for questions and responses.] 

From May 21 through May 23,  Christ Church Cathedral is presenting A Conference on Homelessness in Victoria.  The conference begins with Dr. Garrigan's lecture at 7 pm. We encourage you to click on the link for the full description.  https://bc.anglican.ca/events/a-conference-on-homelessness-in-victoria/2026-05-21  You are welcome to attend any or all of the events, as your schedule permits.  

Just to remind you that Rev. Colleen graciously allows us to read and enjoy her sermons from our website ... Sometimes we fall a bit behind, but by the end of Wednesday, May 20th, we'll be completely up to date!  https://www.stmatthiasvictoria.ca/blog   Enjoy, learn, reflect.  

In a small, but loving and energetic, community, everyone pitches in to make our shared life rich and wonderful.  It's spring and in Victoria we are graced with an abundance of beauty in our gardens.  This beauty requires work to maintain and foster its loveliness.  Warmest thanks in particular to Marilyn and Gabi for their diligence and grace.  And, dare we remind others, there's always room for more helpers in the garden (isn't there a parable about workers in the vineyard ... ).  

We are the people of God and it is our joy and privilege to raise our voices in prayer.  We thank Dorothy Robertson who gently leads our Healing Prayer ministry as well as our confidential prayer circle.  During Sunday worship, different members of the community volunteer to lead the "Prayers of the People."  As with other parts of our Sunday worship, we have a rota to keep track of who's doing what on any given Sunday. [Yes, yes!! There's always room for more!]  Very special thanks to Joan Wilson, who this week realized that the Prayer leader named in the booklet wasn't present; she lifted her voice and ours in a beautiful, extemporaneous expression of prayer.  

Blessings are indeed numerous and abundant!