A Year of Transformation and Hope

Dear St. George’s Family,

As we approach the one-year anniversary of my time here at St. George in the Pines, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared. This past year has been a time of significant growth—both spiritually and practically—that has helped our church not just survive but truly thrive.

A big part of that growth has been the transition in our administrative leadership. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to my wonderful wife, Brit, who faithfully served as our volunteer Parish Administrator during this time of change. Her dedication and hard work laid the foundation for the strong support we have now. Brit’s guidance was key in helping Ji Won transition into her staff role, and both of them have been incredible blessings to our church.

We’re also deeply grateful for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary Mission Funding Grant, which allowed us to bring Ji Won on board as our Creative Outreach Coordinator. This role is already making a big impact, with concerts and arts initiatives on the way that will engage our community in meaningful ways. And let’s not forget the generous financial support from the Pauw Foundation, Canmore Foundation, Town of Banff, Myron Tetreault Foundation, and others. Thanks to them, we’ve been able to continue offering our Food and Friends dinners, serving over 4,500 meals free of charge—a true testament to Christ’s call to feed those in need.

One of the real privileges of this past year has been the chance to connect with folks in town through honest and crucial conversations about faith and hope at our Food and Friends dinners. I know some people are suspicious of church activities, worrying that they might be a bait-and-switch attempt at proselytizing. But our dinners aren’t about that—they’re about building friendships, sharing meals, and having real conversations. It’s in these moments that I’ve been blessed to share our faith, offer encouragement, and pray with people in our community.

That said, we do face some serious challenges. Banff is a tourist town with a transient population, and it has a reputation as a progressive enclave in a largely conservative province. Many people don’t come here looking for church; in fact, they’re often skeptical of Christianity, seeing it as something from the past. They seek answers in secular politics and philosophies that ultimately don’t satisfy, indulging in fleeting pleasures that leave them empty. Too many come here looking for fun but end up battling addictions or feeling disillusioned by the lack of real community, left vulnerable to landlords and elites who care more about profit than people.

But despite these challenges, I’m filled with hope and anticipation for what God has in store for us. We’re committed to strengthening our outreach, deepening our connection with the Banff community, and providing a safe space for those seeking spiritual guidance. We’re especially excited about expanding our ministries in the arts, where we see huge potential to engage people in creative and transformative ways. Our goal is to move beyond shallow spirituality or dead materialism and invite people into the fullness of life and love that only Jesus offers.

As we step into this new chapter, I encourage each of you to find your place in the life of St. George’s. Whether it’s volunteering at our Food and Friends dinners, getting involved in upcoming arts events, serving in Sunday worship, or simply reaching out to someone new—your involvement is vital. Together, we can share the love of Christ with those around us.

I also want to take a moment to thank all of you—our faithful congregation. Your support, prayers, and involvement over the past year have been the backbone of our ministry. Whether you’re working behind the scenes or stepping up when needed, your dedication means the world to me. And a special shoutout to our leaders this past season: Melissa Wilson, who has single-handedly managed the altar guild; Charlynn Odegard, a Council Member who has done an amazing job welcoming new folks into our community; and our Wardens, Jane Russell, Bill Pringle, and Rick Gummer—your leadership, advice, and prayerful support have been invaluable.

As we move forward, I ask that you continue to pray for our church, our community, and for God’s guidance in the year ahead. Let’s seek His wisdom and strength together, trusting that He’ll continue to lead us on this journey.

And finally, stay rooted in your faith in Jesus. In a world that pulls us in so many directions, remember that Christ is our anchor. He’s our source of true fulfillment, purpose, and hope. As we keep serving Him, let’s do it with hearts full of love and compassion, sharing His light with everyone we meet.

Thank you for your faithfulness and partnership in this ministry. I’m excited for what God has planned for us. Let’s keep growing in our love for Him and our commitment to sharing His love with our community.

In Christ’s love,

Seth