saving another stamp

I thought it might be time for another postcard home, to give a quick flavour of our latest travels - starting with the vineyards of Lake Okanagan

Such a shame the flavour can only be visual, as many specialise in delicious Pinot Gris … (I confess we didn’t quite manage the full tour ourselves, there being well over 200 wineries to call in on)

Once safe to drive again … we spent the next couple of days exploring Vancouver city, which feels like bohemian Brighton crossed with high rise New York. A peninsula of grid system streets and vast multi-trailed forest park, it is surrounded by sea & bordered by mountains

Part of getting our bearings was to walk right around the sea wall (am now seriously inspired to take up roller-blading, when here by myself later…)

On Sunday we worshipped at the Anglican Cathedral - except that it is currently meeting in a posh hotel, while work is done on the roof. The Gospel value of “inclusiveness” is held conspicuously high here (in similar bold fashion to what I’ve previously encountered among North American anglicans in San Francisco, such as at Grace Cathedral)

This translates into many of the congregation loudly substituting “she” for “he” in saying the creed, for example, and the blessing being prayed “in the name of the Mother, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The Cathedral website extends a warm welcome to this “positive space for members of the LGBTQ community” … which is great, though I confess the “Q” is a new one on me

Later I came to realise we’d clearly blown our chance of ultimate revelation, however. The ‘Church of Truth Community of Conscious Living’ (meeting as appropriate on Superior Street) promises “a personal journey of self discovery, leading to an enhanced relationship with life”. Wonder if these might be some duly enhanced members of the congregation?

We needn’t have worried about missing out - joy was soon to abound anyway! It came in the form of a 90 minute ferry crossing to Vancouver Island, which we’re now exploring for the next couple of weeks

The voyage was stunningly beautiful, as we wended our way through a complex archipelago of islands, past a pod of killer whales, & sailed close along the length of Mayne island where we’re due to stay later (and all for the princely sum of £5 each!)

Here on the island we are being spoilt rotten by David & Francoise, our very good friends from Cranbrook days (my first parish back in the 90s), whose lovely home is right by the ocean shore …

Like most islanders they are surrounded by trails through deep ancient forest, which (never mind bears & cougars) strikes me as the perfect set for Jurassic Park 3

Now looking forward to a New Orleans jazz concert tonight, & a sea kayaking tour tomorrow - Jebs & I are so grateful, and aware of being blessed with such beauty and kindness at every turn …

So I need to sign off this time with a simple and heart-felt Thank-you.

And may this song ‘RSVP’ that profound invitation we sense, to trace & pursue the true Source of all things bright & beautiful :

PS … You may spot someone working at a desk in the background, while the band are playing? Rather than answering her emails, she is painting a personal worship offering to accompany the music. Services here have a range of art materials available, so folk can express themselves that way if they wish (great use for disused side chapels in parish churches, maybe?)

PPS …. Can you remember ever being serenaded “back to the garden” before (by one of my own all-time favourite Canadians, indeed)? If not, definitely time to do some ‘searching for great music’ of your own!