Events
Upcoming Events
Art Opening – Look at the Birds of the Air
Thursday May 14 from 6pm – 7pm
Richard Topping is President and Vice Chancellor of the Vancouver School of Theology. He holds the St Andrew’s Chair in Studies in the Reformed Tradition.
He renewed his love of photography during Covid to get outside and enjoy God’s good creation. He has published pictures Canadian Geographic, Faith and Leadership and In Trust Magazine. He won the Award of Excellence in Visual Communication for his “Theology through Lens” article, which also received honourable mention as a short theological essay, from the Associated Church Press in 2025. His pictures are regularly featured in Richmond News Pictures of the Day and for three years running have been recognized as pictures of the year.
Last year he presented a curated collection of his work at Crieff Hills Retreat Center in Puslinch, Ontario. His work consists primarily of photographs of wildlife, principally birds along the Fraser River and its estuaries in the Richmond area. He is a member of the Canadian Geography society.
He also teaches theology with a particular interest in faith and imagination and the solicitous power of the beauty of God. He has written a few articles on faith and imagination in biblical interpretation under the rubric of the sanctified imagination and the work of the Holy Spirit.
He marvels at seeing and being seen by the good creatures he meets. Photography requires attention to the world that cures distraction for a moment and simply admires and enjoys the beauty (and sometimes the brokenness) of a world that God upholds all the time and nevertheless. Sometimes he just lowers his camera to watch, ravished in astonishment.
Sanctuary Circle
Thursdays April 16 – May 14 from 11:00am – 12:15pm
Join in the gentle practice of lectio poetica. Simple embodied prayer combined with poetry for contemplation. The time includes reflection on the Gospel for the coming Sunday, fellowship, and community prayer.
NOTE: NO CIRCLE ON APRIL 23
This four week series will be offered remotely via Zoom. Email info@sthildegards.ca for Zoom link.
Past Events
Easter Vigil
April 4th, 2026 from 7-8pm
On Holy Saturday at 7pm we celebrate the Easter Vigil, led by St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary. All are warmly invited to join in sharing the First Eucharist of Easter! With fire and light, with water and word, with bread and wine, we will celebrate the new life that Christ shares with us.
A live stream of the Easter Vigil will also be available on YouTube.
Photo courtesy of Sandra VanderSchaaf
ILLUMINATE Gala
Friday, November 14
6-9pm
Save the date, get your tickets, and plan to join in for an evening of performances and art at the annual ILLUMINATE Gala!
The ILLUMINATE Gala is St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary’s main annual fundraising event, and has been highly lauded and greatly enjoyed. We are delighted to host this pre-Advent event.
The evening showcases performances and art by community members and long-standing friends of St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary. The event includes a Silent Auction of assorted art and related items, both lovely and whimsical at price ranges for all. And delectable refreshments.
This year we are delighted to feature the Drag stylings of Bona Seraphina and Delica Cee! Also joining us are friends and community favourites Celeste Snowber – dancer, poet, writer, and Cal Morgan – singer, songwriter, Celtic harpist.
So, put on your Advent blue, invite a friend, and plan to join us!
To pay by cheque or e-transfer you can contact the office at 604-266-8011.
If you would like to make a direct donation you can visit our website here. Please note “ILLUMINATE” in message line.
Detail from “Blue Christ” by Wendy L. Fletcher. Photo by Sandra Vander Schaaf.