Comments on: Anglican Network in Canada NEWS RELEASE

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:26:27 +0000

Although my sympathies are with the people of St. Mary’s who have left the ACoC to join the ANiC, their situation with regard to the land and buildings is very different from all of the other parishes that I know which have left the ACoC. In the case of St. Mary’s the land was given to the Diocese of B.C. for the purpose of building a healing centre in the 1980′s by a member of St. Edmund’s in Parksville. This was long before St. Mary’s came into being. I walked the property with the gentleman who gave the property who also shared his vision for the ministry and the purpose of his gift to the Diocese. The Church building was moved from Errington to Nanoose Bay with out proper consultation with some of the people in Errington even though the Church had closed down a couple years previous to being moved. There was an addition put on by the people the new parish of St. Mary’s, Nanoose Bay with a loan from the Diocese, which I believe there is still a few thousand still owed on that loan. The parish hall was moved from Parksville when St. Edmund’s was relocated on the property where St. Anne’s is located and a new hall was built there. The old parish hall had an addition made to it a few years ago, which also has a loan with the Diocese for this addition.

Although I would like to see the people who have voted to leave the ACoC and join the ANiC from St. Mary’s, Nanoose Bay retain the use and eventually have the ownership of the Building and Land in this particular case, I believe the people would have to enter into an agreement to purchase the Building and Land from the Diocese of B. C.

Brian

By: Winter Traveler

Winter Traveler — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:59:05 +0000

Welcome St. Mary’s.
May God continue to bless you for your faithful stand.

By: Irena

Irena — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:59:23 +0000

This decision is a joyous one.

God’s blessing on Rev. Guy Bellerby and the church leadership as they courageously lead the faithful of this parish.

God’s Comfort to those who voted against: Don’t be embittered, giving Satan a foothold.

Beloved of St. Mary’s, quietly trust the Lord Jesus in all things.

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:39:33 +0000

God bless the people of St. Mary’s! I pray that others who have hesitated to leave the ACoC will act bravely and follow this courageous example.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:46:02 +0000

Great news – even with the threat of losing the buildings churches are willing to leave. Fred asked what we think the ACoC will look like in 2019 – here’s a clue Fred.