photo peter davison
Youth entertain the congregation during coffee hour at All Saints, Vernon
Clergy Renew Vows
photo catherine hall
Clergy from all parts of the Diocese of Kootenay gathered in February in Nelson to renew their ordination vows. During this service the bishop led the priests and deacons in re-affirming vows taken at ordination. The clergy then led the bishop through a renewal of the vows he made when he was consecrated as bishop.
During this same service the bishop consecrated the sacred oils for use in parishes. The Oil of Chrism is used in baptism to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the newly baptized person. The Oil of Unction is used to anoint those who are sick, as prayers for their healing are offered.
This service took place the day following a professional development day in which the clergy considered the work of the Diocesan Task Force on Ministry. This Task Force, chaired by the Rev. Alan Akehurst of St. Mary’s in Kelowna, was created following the Diocesan Synod in 2006. The Task Force is exploring the ways lay and ordained ministry is expressed in the Diocese of Kootenay and to learning what standards there are for training and authorization of various lay and ordained ministries.
Clergy usually share in at least one professional development day each year so they can learn and grow in their ministries and strengthen one another in their calling as bishop, priests and deacons.
