Blanche Gates named as Companion of the Worship Arts!

Our very own Blanche Gates was awarded the Companion of the Worship Arts on July 17, 2018 at the National Anglican Lutheran Conference in Victoria, BC.  The award is given every two years to one Lutheran and one Anglican recipient who has contributed substantially to the worship life of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.  The award recognizes the recipients’ ongoing inspiration and encouragement to others, together with service to God through worship, spirituality, and the arts. The award was conferred by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

In the early 1980s, Blanche was a member of the task force that developed the Book of Alternative Services. As a member of the national Doctrine and Worship Committee, she read many liturgical texts to expand her knowledge and facilitate the work of the task force. She was instrumental in creating the Book of Alternative Services and specifically its revised funeral liturgy,

The award also recognises Blanche's work as President of Anglican Church Women for the Diocese of British Columbia. As a long time member of the Altar Guild (recently retired once she turned 100 years of age) and talented seamstress, she has consistently offered valuable assistance with linens, vestments, and parish and diocesan fabric banners that today enhance the worship space of many parishes in our Diocese. Reflecting her passion for quilting, Blanche created the ‘Cedar Trees of Lebanon’ quilt for St Paul’s Anglican Church, and sewed a stole and chasuble based on the same theme for the congregation.

Congratulations Blanche!  We are so very proud of you.