SPPC Today

News for Sunday, March 1, 2026

This week, following worship, we will gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM). The ACM is a cornerstone of our life together at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. While our weekly worship nourishes our spirits, this meeting provides the vital space where we discern together how to steward the resources and mission God has entrusted to us. In the Presbyterian tradition, this is not merely an administrative requirement; it is a deeply spiritual act of "conciliar" governance. It reflects our belief that the Holy Spirit speaks through the collective voice of the faithful, ensuring that the direction of the church is not left to a single individual, but is discerned by the whole community under the lordship of Christ.

Historically, the roots of these gatherings stretch back to the Scottish Reformation and the "gathered church" model, where the right of the people to elect their own leaders and manage their temporal affairs was a hard-won principle. In The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Annual Meeting is the primary forum where the congregation reviews the work of the Session and the Board of Managers, approves the budget, and reflects on the past year’s ministry. It is a tradition that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the "priesthood of all believers." By participating, we honor a heritage that values the voice of every member, ensuring that our collective witness in North Saanich remains vibrant, responsible, and aligned with our shared vision for the future.

Worship this Sunday

Our service this Sunday begins at 10:00 a.m. You can participate in person or connect with our community online via the live stream. The link is available here.

Our reader this week is Anthonie den Boeuf. The Scripture readings are:

• Psalm 51:7-17

• John 13:1-17 - Jesus washes his disciples’ feet

This week our choir is singing the anthem Come To Us, O Lord by Carmen Scialla.

Upcoming

• The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following the worship service this Sunday.

• St. Andrew’s Hall in Vancouver has once again this year produced a Lenten Devotion Guide for our daily use during the time of Lent. Copies are still available electronically, here.

• Our Wednesday Study on the Letter to the Ephesians will resume on Wednesday, March 11. Classes are held at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and you are welcome to join either.

• Our Spring Cleaning Bee will take place on Friday, March 13 at 10 a.m. Please feel free to join us.

• 2026 Vancouver Island Presbytery Summer Camps: These “Weekend Escapes” are a special camping ministry for people of all ages. Come on out and enjoy nature together. There will be enlightening speakers to engage the adults and activities to engage the children. You will spend time singing together around the campfire and learning how to make the perfect s’mores! Your Presbytery Camp Committee has made the following reservations:

  • Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park June 8–12

  • Rathtrevor Provincial Park July 15–30

  • Rathtrevor Provincial Park July 30–August 3

  • For inquiries please contact the Camp VIP Registrar at jermareng@outlook.com

• The Memorial Service for Anne MacKinnon will take place on Thursday, March 12 at 1:30 p.m.

• The Memorial Service for Erma Hatt will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m.

Community Events

• St. Paul’s United and Central Saanich United Churches are hosting the World Day of Prayer Service next Friday, March 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s (2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney) and have invited all local congregations to participate. They are also seeking volunteers for an ad hoc Choir for this event. A rehearsal is planned for Thursday, February 26. If you are interested in taking part, please advise the office.

• Dido & Aeneas - Henry Purcell & 500 Years Of English Choral Gems: On Saturday March 14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary the Virgin Church (1701 Elgin Rd, Oak Bay) the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Peter Butterfield, presents some top crown jewels of the English choral tradition, from the country's earliest known opera to the present time. Baroque composer Henry Purcell's short opera, Dido & Aeneas, is a tragic love story with beautiful music, and will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Shorter pieces on the program include a joyous Coronation Anthem by Handel, and a musical setting of the profound words of German pastor, theologian and pacifist Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed in a Nazi prison camp two weeks before its liberation by the Allies.. More information and ticket link at vpchoir.ca/upcoming

May the Lord be with you all!

SUNDAY MORNING

Welcome to Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. 

Our worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning both in-person and online (via the SPPC YouTube Livestream button above). We invite you to join us each week as we continue to explore and follow the Word of God. Following the service, there is a fellowship time at the back of the sanctuary.

For the safety of your neighbours, when you attend worship: 

• Please, perform a health check prior to attending.

• While masks are not required, feel free to wear one if you prefer.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.