Vicar’s Thanks

What an amazing and encouraging week we have had, with the beautifully decorated church for Thanksgiving weekend, sunny fall weather. The church was busy every day: in addition to our usual range of ages from Taylin preschoolers to Langley Seniors we had volunteers in cleaning, cooking, decorating and organizing for our Anniversary Gala. Thursday night was a wonderful example of all the things that make St. George’s special. The church was beautiful in candlelight while our music director Diana Nyvik played our new piano, sharing classical and modern music, and Archbishop John Stephens offered a simple version of the ancient practice of evening prayer. In the hall parishoners and friends of the community shared a delicious meal planned and prepared by Karen Saunders and Diane Stephenson, and served by an incredible team. Bartender Alison Cameron kept the evening flowing and even included some creative non-alcoholic cocktails.

Bidding on the Silent Auction was fast and furious but Tony Cook and I emerged victorious each with a bag of Mary Kozak’s perogies and a hard-working dessert team headed by Fran Hancock provided a bounty of sweet treats to end the evening. Thank you to the many, many people who worked on all aspects of the evening and to those who came to celebrate and to contribute to our Musical Instrument Replacement Fund. The numbers have not yet been tallied, nor the expenses deducted, but we brought in nearly $4000 from the bar and auction last night and are well on our way to a new organ and accompanying improvements. With a community like this we truly have another 125 years of ministry ahead of us!

With gratitude,

Rev. Laurel