Tag Archives: St. Matthew’s Abbotsford

St. Matthew’s Abbotsford is going through a bumpy patch

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In 2011 the 500 member congregation of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford was ejected from its building by the Diocese of New Westminster.

In 2012, the rector of the diocese of New Westminster’s version of the parish, Rev Allen Doerksen, declared that one day the church will become self-sustaining. That day has not yet arrived: the parish is still being funded by the diocese and is now going through a bumpy patch.

What’s more, the church’s furnaces need replacing so, to avoid a bumpy cold patch, the parish is asking the Diocese of New Westminster for $150,000 to fix them.

Both St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and St. John’s Shaughnessy – which is bleeding $20,000 per month – were kept on artificial life-support by Bishop Michael Ingham to demonstrate to the world that the diocese’s ersatz Christianity works. It doesn’t. The new bishop, Melissa Skelton, will have some difficult decisions to make soon; before the diocese starts going through a bumpy patch.

Why does social justice always have to be so conspicuous?

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St. Matthews, Abbotsford presents an extremely large cheque – well, a physically large cheque – to a food bank:

 

Food Bank 006

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matt 6:1-3

 

Bishop Michael Ingham desperately seeking a postmodern balance

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Michael Ingham is going to give a talk called “The Postmodern Balance: Evangelical, Catholic, Liberal” at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford on January 29th.

St. Matthew’s Abbotsford is one of the parishes whose property was seized by the Diocese of New Westminster when the congregation joined ANiC. The ejected congregation was predominantly evangelical, an irony that probably won’t be explored in Ingham’s talk.

Ingham’s choice of St. Matthew’s from which to convince his listeners that he is interested in maintaining balance is undoubtedly based on the principle that if a lie is sufficiently outrageous, people will think it impossible to be emanating from the hallowed lips of a bishop – and so will be conned into believing it true.

St. Matthew’s Abbotsford may become self-sustaining – one day

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From here:

The Archdeacon introduced The Rev. Allen Doerksen, Bishop’s Missioner to the Central Fraser Valley and Priest at St. Matthew. Allen recalled his childhood in Abbotsford as a member of the “Mennonite Tribe” in Abbotsford and as a young person he knew that the “Anglican Tribe” was a very active part of the Christian Community. He used the term “Tribe” not in an anti-ecumenical way but as a way of defining a church that has changed and now lives a “principled pluralism.” The emergence of the worshipping community at St. Matthew, Abbotsford is an exciting and challenging event. Those who are new to Anglican worship or worship in general and are in the beginning stages of their journey of faith find a place in this community.

Allen takes heart that this can be a place where art and beauty can flourish in what many would see as a very pragmatic suburban community.

St. Matthew is a mission church of the diocese and Allen is very grateful for the support of the diocese and he is confident that the time will come when this community can be self-sustaining.

Rev. Allen Doerksen is the brother of Brian Doerksen, a Christian musician and song-writer associated for many years with the Vineyard Movement. Allen was installed by the Diocese of New Westminster’s heretic-in-residence, Michael Ingham, as the rector of St. Matthew’s after the congregation who paid for the church was ejected. I can only assume that the brothers are much as the brothers Hitchens, occupying opposite poles of the metaphysical spectrum.

Brother Allen uses the term “principled pluralism” to describe his church. He doesn’t explain what he means by this, but if he is implying an accommodation to the concept that religions other than Christianity are as valid as Christianity, then he has coined an oxymoron, since he is supposed to adhere to the proposition: “Jesus is the only way to the Father”. From a Christian’s perspective, to water that down is as unprincipled as it comes.

Obviously, the Diocese of New Westminster is paying to keep the parish afloat: an act of face-saving rather than generosity from Michael Ingham.

Here are the 500 people who used to worship in the building when it was self-sustaining, departing in an act of principled non-pluralism:

Diocese of New Westminster: St. Matthew’s Abbotsford does Facebook

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Here is an odd trend: when an Anglican Church of Canada diocese evicts an ANiC congregation from its building it starts a Facebook page. It happened at St. Alban’s, Ottawa and now at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford where we can learn what the new parish is all about:

Who out there thinks Abbotsford needs a congregation that pays more than lip service to the Great Tradition; interacts energetically with the best in biblical and theological scholarship; grounds its worship in the Eucharist; is open to learning from everyone, including other religious and secular philosophies; is inclusive of all (period); where gifts and talents aren’t used to serve a leader’s vision but radically shape the very nature of the community; fosters an aesthetic that makes room for beauty in music, poetry and the visual arts; teaches children not merely information but the rhythm’s of worship; and where the priest is someone who takes the time not only to help people in crisis or grief but who participates in a mutual “confession of life” through spiritual friendship?

If you like the sound of that or, you like it but notice missing pieces in the description, you may want to check out St. Matthew, Abbotsford, a place in formation; a place and a community where thoughtful, classic, Christian Spirituality is what we’re after though we’ve certainly not arrived at our destination! The congregation is in its beginning phase; if you or someone you know might be interested in helping shape this “path” please pass this note on.

As the new incumbent notes, the parish “is inclusive of all (period)”. I assume “(period)” is intended to signify that the inclusivity is so vast in its encompassing that a normal full stop insufficiently emphasises the impossibility of adding to what is already embraced by this “place in formation”.

It’s hard not to notice, though, that while Allen Doerksen is eager to learn from “other religious and secular philosophies” he isn’t so keen on mentioning – or even including – Jesus, his death on the cross, his resurrection or our need for his atoning sacrifice because of sin.

That must be the trend: throw out a believing parish, throw out Christianity along with it then, having no congregation, no financial support and no integrity,  attempt to drum up business by starting a Facebook page that sputters about “thoughtful, classic, Christian Spirituality”.

Diocese of New Westminster demonstrates ADS – ANiC Derangement Syndrome

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The diocese continues to try and make a case that it has a vibrant and emerging congregation at St. Matthew’s, Abbotsford, a parish that left the diocese for ANiC  because of its heretical drift. Here is a photo of the emerging congregation:

Funnily enough, while occupying St. Matthews with fifteen squatters, the diocese has been busy closing what it sees as non-viable parishes with a far higher number of parishioners.

Here is the fond farewell from St. John’s, Burnaby:

 

And here, from St. Peter’s:

Notice the difference? It’s hard not to conclude that the Diocese of New Westminster is only prepared to maintain a small – minuscule, actually – parish when, by doing so, it furthers its plan to deprive a thriving ANiC parish of a building .

 

 

 

Diocese of New Westminster: St. Matthew’s Abbotsford; no room at the inn

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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.

Diocese of New Westminster: Anglican Church of Canada Worship Returns to Abbotsford.

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The Diocese of New Westminster, having thrust itself on St. Matthew’s Abbotsford, managed to attract 6 original parishioners and 24 imports. So what exactly were they worshipping? As the the diocese rather comically intimates in its headline: the Anglican Church of Canada:

Anglican Church of Canada Worship Returns to Abbotsford
Diocesan-led worship begins at St. Matthew’s

Anglican Church of Canada worship at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford began again on Sunday, August 29th at 8am. The diocesan-led service was a said eucharist from the Book of Alternative Services. Rev. David Price was the celebrant and the Ven. Stephen Rowe, Archdeacon of Fraser was also present to greet worshippers and hand-out the order of service.

The Diocese of New Westminster does a flag plant in St. Matthew's, Abbotsford

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Not a church plant.

The Diocese of New Westminster is determined to hold a service in St. Matthew’s Abbotsford – a parish that has joined ANiC and whose building is in dispute – not because a diocesan congregation is needed there or to create a new outreach, but to stake a claim in the building. Considering the diocese is busy closing, consolidating and selling buildings, and it will almost certainly not have a viable congregation at St. Matthews, it is doing little more than playing dog in the manger; except dogs are more friendly.

From here:

On Sunday, August 29th at 8am in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford there will be a service of Holy Communion celebrated by the Reverend David Price, a priest licensed by Bishop Michael Ingham.

All are Welcome

On June 11th, 2010 counsel for the Diocese of New Westminster appeared before Justice Stephen Kelleher of the BC Supreme Court in the case concerning church properties seeking an Order as to costs arising from the Judgment [sic] granted November 25, 2009, as well as further Directions as to compliance by the trustees of the Parish Corporations with the Orders granted at that time.

St. Matthew’s Abbotsford is one of the contested church properties.

The Plaintiffs (Trustees) have appealed that earlier decision and this will be argued in the BC Court of Appeal commencing September 13, 2010.
In supplementary Oral Reasons for Judgment issued on June 29, 2010, Justice Kelleher awarded costs to the Diocese of New Westminster (the Defendants) and upheld the directions sought by the Diocese. In doing so, Justice Kelleher reiterated that trustees are required to exercise their powers in accordance with the Diocesan Constitution and Canons. This means that, pending the election of new trustees, the trustees at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford must respond to the Defendants’ request to hold one service per week celebrated by a priest chosen by the Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.

In mid-July, 2010 Bishop Michael Ingham and Officers of the Diocese of New Westminster stated their intention to offer Anglican Church of Canada worship at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford beginning August 29th, 2010 and informed the Counsel for the Plaintiffs (the ANiC clergy and trustees).

In response they applied for a “Stay of Execution” of Justice Kelleher’s June 29th, 2010 direction and a hearing was scheduled to take place in front of the Chief Justice, Friday, August 27th.

Early in the week of August 22nd Counsel for the Diocese sent a letter to Counsel for the Plaintiffs suggesting that the diocesan service take place in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and not in the sanctuary.

On August 26th Counsel for the Plaintiffs advised the registry that they are not proceeding and that the application for the “stay” is adjourned generally.

The Diocese of New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada worship service will take place as scheduled Sunday, August 29th in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford.

Having experience the joys of sharing a building – in our case it was reversed, we had the hall – with a diocese that we felt compelled to part from, I feel considerable sympathy for the real St. Matthew’s and trust that Col 1:11 will apply.