April 2026 Presbytery

Presbytery of Westminster – April 7, 2026

Administrative Committee – Key Decisions Rev. Dr. Afonso Issa submitted his resignation letter dated March 18, 2026, to West Vancouver Presbyterian Church. The session accepted it with an effective date of July 31, 2026. The committee recommends that Presbytery formally grant permission for the resignation, and both Rev. Issa and church representatives are invited to address the court tonight with reflections on his ministry. Separately, Rev. Bruce Cairnie requested retirement effective August 1, 2026 (adjusted to July 31 in the recommendation). Presbytery is asked to approve this, and a dedicated time for reflections on his ministry will be added to the May 5 docket, with Rev. Cairnie also invited to speak.

A notice of motion is given: Rev. Paddy Eastwood will be nominated as Moderator-Elect for the term June 2026 to June 2027. One ruling elder commissioner for the 151st General Assembly (June 7–11, 2026, at York University Keele Campus) has withdrawn for personal reasons. The clerk is urgently asking all ministers and representative elders to check with their sessions for a replacement and notify the clerk as soon as possible

On Antioch Church: Initial talks began in spring 2023 with Pastor Victor Pai. In June 2024 the congregation voted to join the Presbyterian Church in Canada. A presbytery committee (clerk, Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Larry Yen) has been guiding the process. Pastor Pai was certified as a candidate for ministry and endorsed to the Education & Reception Committee in February 2025; he was assigned six required courses in June 2025. The congregation is now ready to be formed as a full congregation under Book of Forms section 200, even while Pastor Pai finishes his training. The committee proposes moving forward expeditiously on the congregation side to maintain stability.

Ministry Committee The committee met via Zoom on March 17 and March 31. They held helpful succession-planning conversations with Rev. Dr. Brian Fraser and the elders of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. West Vancouver Presbyterian Church wants to start searching for a new minister immediately for efficiency, even though Rev. Issa stays until July 30. Recommendation: allow the search to begin April 8, 2026. The session has asked to reappoint Rev. Woldy Sosnowsky as Interim Moderator; the committee confirms he knows the congregation well and the relationship is positive, so he will continue in the role.

A strong reminder was issued about communicating financial matters to congregations. Ministers sometimes find it awkward to discuss housing allowances and stipend increases. Representative elders must share Presbytery information with their sessions, boards, and treasurers—ideally including a “Report from Presbytery” in every session docket. Congregational visitation teams check that housing allowances and stipends are current. Fair market rental value rises over time, so allowances must match; for part-time calls (e.g., 50% stipend), the housing allowance must also be 50% of fair market value. The Pensions and Benefits Board writes directly to treasurers, so new treasurers need to be added to their list.

Recommendation 2: After General Assembly, the clerk will send an annual email to session clerks (forwardable to treasurers) with links to the Treasurer’s Handbook, the AP Minimum Stipend, a note that Presbytery adds 10% to General Assembly stipends, and a request to update treasurer contact information for Pensions and Benefits.

Rev. Dr. Morgan Wong began serving as Interim Moderator for Vancouver Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on April 1, 2026. The committee reviewed Central Presbyterian Church’s profile and praised its transparency, calling it an exciting ministry for the right candidate. Reports were received from Burnaby Taiwanese, Central, and Trinity churches. The Interim Moderator Report from Burnaby Taiwanese (March 6) noted new weekly post-service sharing meetings since February (six held so far, average 22 attendees) focused on Sunday’s Scripture and sermon. Participants share reflections enthusiastically and report growing closer to God. The main challenge is seasonal attendance drops when members travel to Taiwan in winter, but the congregation manages administrative routines well around it. They request only prayers from Presbytery at this time.

Student Support & Certification Committee The committee met via Zoom on March 10 with Mr. Kennedy Mwashi (St. John’s Presbyterian Church) for his initial certification interview and with Rev. Dr. Mark Glanville to consider endorsing his application to the Education & Reception Committee. Kennedy Mwashi, originally from Kenya, described extensive ministry leadership in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, including leading departments and supporting large congregations. He left a successful banking career to follow God’s call into ministry. He expressed a clear sense of call in preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, with a desire to share the gospel and help people grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. His reflections showed spiritual depth and theological engagement. He is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Vancouver School of Theology, expecting to graduate in May 2028, and appreciates the diverse learning environment. Challenges include balancing studies with part-time construction work while supporting his wife and four children in Kenya; he trusts in God’s provision. He serves as a ruling elder and preacher at St. John’s and will begin Theological Field Education in September at Gordon Presbyterian Church through the “Don’t Go Hungry” program. The committee was encouraged by his maturity, humility, readiness, self-awareness, and perseverance. Recommendation: Certify Kennedy Mwashi as a candidate for ministry in The Presbyterian Church in Canada. (The committee used “power to issue” authority and has already forwarded the paperwork to the E&R Committee.)

Information only: The committee unanimously agreed to support endorsement of Rev. Dr. Mark Glanville’s application to the E&R Committee.

Community Engagement Committee The committee reviewed grant applications and made recommendations (SASS items minimized per your request). Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA) is shifting focus to faith-based property rezoning issues after challenges with co-op housing. Organizer Audrey Guay will attend the May Presbytery meeting (and the dinner beforehand) to present the MVA proposal for housing on church properties, explain how church leaders can support the campaign, and discuss the municipal election assembly in September and the June delegates assembly as key milestones. A Community Roundtable on the Repurposing of Faith Properties in Vancouver took place today (April 7) at Central Presbyterian Church from 1:00–4:30 p.m., exploring practical pathways for affordable housing on underused church land.

Correspondence (March 1 – April 2, 2026) Key items include: VST G. Peter Kaye Lecture Series and Inter-Religious Conference circulated; Brian Fraser requests for music project help at Brentwood and Camp D Hymn Sing fundraiser; Bruce Cairnie retirement request; Teresa Charlton reply on Synod 2026 format; Heather Chappell Change Leadership Team Survey; clerk reminders on updated POW directory and Google/Zoom subscriptions; Jennifer Astop notice of 2026 RRG approval for Brentwood; Connie Wardle on GA registration; SASS grant applications forwarded to CEC; Spencer Edwards and Amanda Mina youth/young adult events circulated; Rev. Afonso Issa resignation; Larry Eastwood March financials; Graeme Illman job posting; Dale Gomez First Church AV equipment grant request to SLC; Laurie Trulson Coquitlam recommendation of Peyman Salar as ministry candidate to SSCC; and Change Leadership Team survey info.