On Wednesday July 21, the Parish of St. George, West Kelowna, joyfully celebrated an historic event, as our Archbishop, the Most Reverend Lynne McNaughton, Bishop of Kootenay and Metropolitan of the Province of BC and the Yukon, consecrated the Reverend Jacqueline Susan Graham to the sacred order of Deacon (Transitional) in the Church of God. Jacqueline’s ordination marked both the first ordination ever held in our church and the first in-person ordination service in the diocese since the start of the pandemic.
In addition to visiting diocesan clergy, a number of clergy from beyond the diocese, including the Reverend Dr. Richard Topping, Principal of the Vancouver School of Theology, joined us to celebrate Jacqueline’s ordination, along with her friends and family.
Jacqueline’s children, Ella, Daniel and Lexie were the highlight of the service as they vested her with her deacon’s stole, a gift from the parish, while Jacqueline’s parents looked on.
Those present adjourned to the lawn outside the church for a small reception after the service. Thankfully the heat of the day had dissipated and we enjoyed a cool evening at the end.
Jacqueline has already begun her ministry in the parish as well as serving as Chaplain at Camp OAC for the last two weeks of July. We look forward to her priestly ordination as she becomes the Incumbent of this parish.
