Connecting Church & Community

St. Matthew’s Consecration & Ordination

After many months of dreaming, praying, and waiting amidst drywall dust, St. Matthew’s has a new worship space! Gwen McAllister was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Monday in a ceremony which consecrated the new worship space and confirmed young Natasha Bighetty in the Church. The Primate, Fred Hiltz, was in attendance at the gala celebration and spoke glowing praises of the community and the missional presence of St. Matthew’s in the neighbourhood God has called them to. Many thanks to Cathy Campbell and the community of St. Matthew’s for their hard work and dedication to being church among “the least of these” in our city. God is indeed good!

st_matthews_consecration (1) — Cathy smiles with a parishioner (smiles of relief?)

st_matthews_consecration (10) — The procession waits excitedly to enter the church

st_matthews_consecration (11) — Lynn & David Pate sit in the congregation with Nancy Phillips

st_matthews_consecration (12) — Construction is coming along in the rest of the building- almost there!

st_matthews_consecration (2) — Much of the old wood has been retained or repurposed

st_matthews_consecration (3) — The full procession

st_matthews_consecration (4) — The new deacon greets a parishioner during communion

st_matthews_consecration (5) — The view from the upper atrium

st_matthews_consecration (6) — A packed house!

st_matthews_consecration (9) — Joe Keeper gives a prayer on behalf of his late wife Phyllis, who dearly loved the St. Matthew’s community

st_matthews_consecration — Left to right: Primate Fred Hiltz, Deacon Gwen McAllister, newly confirmed Natasha Bighetty, Bishop Don Phillips, Incumbent Cathy Campbell, young parishioner

st_matthews_consecration1 (1) — The windows looking down from the atrium

st_matthews_consecration1 (2) — Parishioners flood up for communion in the new sanctuary

st_matthews_consecration1 (3) — Tina Keeper joins her father Joe in blessing the space on behalf of her mother Phyllis (featured in the October Rupert’s Land News)

st_matthews_consecration1 (4) — A happy contingent from St. Chad’s Church

st_matthews_consecration1 — Honorary Assistant Fletcher Stewart smiles with joy after many months of anticipation

Geoff Woodcroft and others look down from the atrium

The old font in the new space

st_matthews_consecration2 (2) — The Primate smiles as he enters the church where he was consecrated primate

st_matthews_consecration2 (3) — Congratulations to the newest deacon in Rupert’s Land!

st_matthews_consecration2 (4) — The sanctuary

st_matthews_consecration2 — A full crown celebrates in the atrium/parish hall after the service

st_matthews_consecration3 — More of the repurposed materials from the former nave

st_matthews_consecration4 (1) — A cross and medicine wheel in the floor of the porch

Members from Emmanuel Mission join the celebration

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