Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, was present with us in the Diocese of Kootenay for Holy Week and Easter 2024. The Primate started Holy Week at All Saints, Vernon for Palm-Passion Sunday. During the week she joined the Tuesday Coffee and Conversation Group at the Cathedral for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on the work of the Primate as the voice of the Council of General Synod across the Anglican Church of Canada and as representative of our church to the worldwide Anglican communion and beyond in ecumenical relations. The Primate spoke of the wisdom for the whole church that is offered by the Indigenous Anglican Church in “Sacred Circle: The Covenant and Our Way of Life,” and addressed the history of and current situation in Gaza and Israel-Palestine.
On Wednesday, the clergy of the diocese gathered both in-person at the Cathedral and by Zoom for a session on clergy well-being, and then enjoyed a luncheon with the Primate. For the Paschal Triduum, the Primate together with Archbishop Lynne McNaughton preached and presided at St Michael and All Angels Cathedral for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The Primate participated in an ecumenical Prayer Walk for Gaza that included members of the Central Okanagan United Church, Christ Lutheran Church, and St Michael’s Cathedral along with various members of the wider community and communities of faith. It concluded with the Great Vigil of Easter at St Andrew’s, Okanagan Mission (Kelowna). Two young adults (one from St Andrew’s and one from St Michael’s) were baptized and confirmed there.
The week concluded with a joyous celebration of the Day of Resurrection on Easter Sunday at the Cathedral. It was a joy to have our Primate leading in worship, reflection, and conversation throughout the week, and we continue to keep Her Grace in our prayers in all her work for the good of the whole Church.
