Events
Upcoming Events
Art Opening
Sabian Rawcliffe: Healing My Spirit
Friday, September 18
6-7:30pm
Explore the artwork of Sabian Rawcliffe at the opening of his exhibit, “Healing My Spirit,” featuring a collection of his drums, leather work, and formline paintings. This show is an exploration of Sabian’s healing journey that his artwork has led him on, and the ways that he uses art to help others on their own paths to wholeness.
The show opens at 6pm with a short talk by the artist at 6:30pm. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.
Healing My Spirit will remain open to the public through the first week of November during regular business hours.
ILLUMINATE Gala
Friday, November 27
6-9pm
The ILLUMINATE Gala is St. Hildegard’s Sanctuary’s annual fundraising event. This year we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary as community! We would be delighted to have your presence and support.
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.
For our 10th Anniversary performers include community friends and fan favourites:
Bona Seraphina and Delica Cee – singers, musicians, drag performers
Allen des Noyer – composer, musician, singer
Celeste Snowber – dancer, poet, writer
Cal Morgan – singer, songwriter, Celtic harpist.
We are also honoured to have renowned artist and long-time friend of St. Hildegard’s Wendy L. Fletcher, joining us at the Gala. And delighted to have an exhibition of her work featured in the Art & Soul Gallery. Art ini the exhibition will also be on auction, with proceeds supporting St. HIldegard’s.
Save the date! Get your tickets! Invite your friends!
And put on your Advent blue and enjoy an evening of performances and art.
If you are unable to join us, you can make a direct donation with the note “ILLUMINATE” here.
We are grateful for your support.
Detail from “Blue Christ” by Wendy L. Fletcher. Photo by Sandra Vander Schaaf.
Sanctuary Circle
Resumes in September
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.
Weekly on Thursdays from 11:00am – 12:15pm (with some occasional breaks.) Both in person and remotely via Zoom.
Email info@sthildegards.ca to join and for Zoom link.
Past 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.
