Last Sunday we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord and were reminded of our baptism into the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I was very fortunate to have visited twice (in 1999 & 2016) the traditional site where Jesus was baptized by John and had my baptismal vows renewed while immersed in the murky water of Jordan.  For someone who was baptized as an adult with the sprinkling of water from the font, being fully immersed was a powerful experience I would not forget.  

Water plays a central part in the Sacrament of Baptism and the salvation history of God's people because all lives on this planet depend on it.  If water is that important, it is fair to ask ourselves what is our personal relationship with the water that sustains our lives.  Living in a freshwater-rich part of the planet, we easily take for granted what it takes to have this essential resource available to us at the tip of the finger.  My 2016 pilgrimage to the Holy Land changed my outlook on this precious and sacred resource forever.  Access to water was a highly political issue in Palestine.  The inhabitants of the land did not enjoy equal access to water.  The once-upon-a-time thriving river Jordan where Jesus was baptized had been reduced to a murky brook with a health advisory not to swallow or let water get into the eyes because so much of the water from the Jordan had been diverted for agriculture in arid lands which were never meant to grow.  As a result, God's sign for new life and transformation has been reduced to a symbol of strife and injustice through the way how water has been mismanaged and rationed.  

A little more than a decade ago I was introduced to the concept of Watershed Discipleship through the diocesan ministry Salal + Cedar.  Watershed Discipleship informs how we live out the Way of Jesus by drawing attention to how we care for the watershed where we live.  

"The invitation of watershed discipleship is to allow our theology and faith to be truly informed by our context – the social and ecological setting in which we abide. Faithful discipleship in our time and place means taking stock of our inherited histories and the ongoing impacts these may have for our most vulnerable neighbours."

One of my preparations for my interview for the Rector position at St. Dunstan's was to study the watersheds where our parish boundary covers.  I discovered that the Township of Langley has an online map showing the various watersheds in the Township. (see attachment to this blog and find out the watershed you live on!)  I learned that our church is situated in the Bertrand Watershed and our parish boundary stretches across three watersheds fed by Bertrand Creek, Pepin Creek, and Campbell River.  I have been slowly challenging myself to visit the land where our common ministry is situated.  During the first week of the New Year, I took a nice walk in Aldergrove Regional Park and visited Peipin Creek and some of the wildlife around it.  While marvelling at the conservation work of the Regional Park, I kept wondering what are some of the stories of the land both in recent times and older times before settlers' contact. What can we learn from these lands and their stories that may better inform us how to live and share our lives on these sacred grounds as followers of Christ?  Do you have a story of the land and river where you live that you would be kind enough to share with me?  

This is a long segue to share that the Rev. Laurel Dykstra, founding priest of Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Community will be inducted as Vicar of St. George's, Fort Langley next Tuesday on January 21 at 7:30 pm.  You are welcome to join our sister neighbouring parish to celebrate this new ministry.  I look forward to exploring future opportunities working with Laurel who is now part of the Deanery of Golden Ears.  

Another remarkable happening this Sunday is the Blessing of New Stoves and Ovens at the end of the 10 am service.  Thank you to Larry, Charlie and Doug for getting the new equipment installed! 

A reminder that Sherry is on her annual leave until February 18.  While being away, she continues to monitor st.dunstans@telus.net remotely and provides a reduced level of parish support.  If you need help that requires onsite attention, please contact me at rev.clarence.li@gmail.com.  Messages left at the office will be checked every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  

Along with this blog post are also some Christian formation opportunities available in our diocese in the coming months.  

Peace and love + until next time.

St. Geroge's, Fort Langley, our sister parish in the Deanery of Golden Ears, will be inducting their new vicar, the Rev. Laurel Dykstra on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 pm.  All are welcome to show our support for Laurel's new ministry.  

Laurel has been the priest of Salal + Cedar, a ministry of the Diocese of New Westminster. Salal + Cedar is “part of a growing movement across Turtle Island (North America) of communities of Christians re-connecting to the creation-values and land covenants at the core of our tradition; we practice contemplative ecology and spiritually-rooted action.”  

Clarence, our Rector will be preaching at Laurel's Induction Service.  

Here are the latest formation opportunities offered by Christ Church Cathedral as well as the Diocesan Learning Centre for Mission and Formation (click links for more information and to register):

January 12 - February 25 - Anglican 101.  Learn about the Anglican Church, our history, our worship, and our community, join us for this 9 session series. This series will feature a variety of voices from our wider church community.  In-person session on January 12 followed by 8 online sessions on Tuesday. 

January 16 - Bowen Family Systems in Ministry. A Six-week course aimed at clergy and faith leaders. Online on Zoom with the Rev. Sharon Salomons.

February 8 - Moulded by Prayer: Experiencing and Teaching the Formative Power of Prayer and Worship. A day for clergy and lay people to focus on our lives of worship and prayer. 9 am to 5:30 pm at VST (Epiphany Chapel).

Breakout sessions include: The Via Contemplativa, Psalms for Praying, Centering Prayer, Praying With Collaged Images, Praying for Healing, Lectio Terra: The Practice of Placefulness, Listening prayer, and Praying with Youth