It seems that, at Christmas,  St. Matthew’s Abbotsford, a parish that voted 184 to 4 (with 5 abstentions) to join ANiC, wasn’t able to “accommodate” the Diocese of New Westminster’s congregation that continues to worship in the building.

From here:

The growing community of worshippers who attend the Sunday, 8am Eucharist in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford were eager to have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas together.

The Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) congregation currently using the St. Matthew’s buildings did not accomodate the Anglican Church of Canada congregation but happily the Parish of St. Dunstan, Aldergrove stepped forward and offered the use of their sanctuary for a special Christmas Eve service.

St. Matthew’s trustee Carole Keighly reported that the service was a great success, no small credit to their hosts who made them feel so welcome.

The service was simple one. Archdeacon Beverly Stewart crafted an innovative service which included the administration of communion to each other and the singing of a number of traditional carols including Silent Night in English and German.

Following worship the congregation met for coffee (provided by St. Dunstan’s) and potluck brought by the St. Matthew’s congregation.

Randy Murray

What is not entirely clear is why the diocesan growing community of worshippers – all 12 of them – didn’t simply join in with the ANiC congregation. Perhaps they wanted to avoid the danger of spontaneous self-combustion – like vampires in the sunlight.