Despite the obvious logic, Vancouver's Diocese of New Westminster is more sensible so today enthroned our new bishop: Melissa Skelton. There was a two-hour service in a local convention centre, where 1,800 people turned up. With so many Anglicans in one place it's amazing Jesus didn't pick that moment to return.
Anyway, we're not mad enough to take a baby to something like that so instead snuck into the cathedral where all manner of ceremony and welcoming took place after a long procession through downtown. The bishop knocked on the closed door and had to explain herself before being let in, and got her hat, her crook, and her throne. She's the first woman to hold the post, so it was all quite historic.
More importantly, today is St. David's Day! My worry that this would be forgotten proved to be unfounded. Daffodils were handed out to everyone, and "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" was the closing hymn.
More importantly than that, countless parishioners (including Hannah) have been baking furiously and the trays of cakes available afterwards were, literally, heavenly. Then, just as I was receiving yet another compliment on my Wales rugby shirt, someone walked by with a plate of Welsh cakes! Welcoming a woman bishop is one thing, but embracing the Welsh is a sign of absolute enlightenment.
The Anglican church on the move, stopping the traffic.
Peter, the dean of our cathedral, leads the way.
Drummers of the Nisga'a First Nation played as the procession made its way in.
No pews! Scandalous.
Young faces of Anglicanism.
The dean leads the bish to the front, and...
...there she is!
History is happening over there, Pete is more interested in a Welsh cake.
