PARISH OF ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND

The Parish of St Margaret of Scotland is a Canadian Anglican nonprofit organization and church community registered under the business number 119079101RR0001. It is part of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, serving the spiritual and community needs of its parishioners and local residents on Galiano Island, British Columbia.

History

St Margaret of Scotland began as a mission church of St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church on Mayne Island. Approximately 65 years ago, the Robson family, notable residents of Mayne and Galiano Islands, donated land and building materials for the construction of a dedicated church building. The church was named St Margaret of Scotland after Mrs. Margaret Robson, coinciding with the historic saint of the same name, honored within the Anglican tradition and at institutions on Vancouver Island. This foundation established the parish as a spiritual landmark for the Galiano community, within the broader Anglican Diocese of the Islands and Inlets[4][2][3].

Mission and Community Engagement

The parish strives to be a spiritual center for Galiano Island, welcoming individuals from diverse faith backgrounds and spiritual journeys. It embraces a progressive Anglican tradition that values reason, diversity, and inclusion, seeking to serve the poor and advocate for economic equality within the local community[4].

St Margaret’s is actively engaged in multiple community services including supporting the island’s Food Bank, providing financial assistance through local initiatives like Galiano Helps, and maintaining the church cemetery and heritage site. The parish encourages donations to support these outreach efforts, reflecting its role as both a religious and community hub[1].

Worship and Services

Worship at St Margaret of Scotland varies in format, with services conducted by visiting clergy celebrating the Holy Eucharist or led by the island’s lay minister providing Liturgy of the Word and Morning Prayer services. Music plays a central role in worship, featuring organ and piano performances by accomplished local musicians. Sunday services are regularly held at 10:30 am, emphasizing inclusion and spiritual enrichment for all attendees regardless of their position on life's journey[1].

Affiliations

The Parish of St Margaret of Scotland is affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada through the Diocese of New Westminster, highlighting its ongoing commitment to Anglican faith and community service in the region[2][3].

In summary, the Parish of St Margaret of Scotland represents a longstanding and evolving Anglican presence on Galiano Island, bridging historic tradition with contemporary community outreach and spiritual inclusivity.

[1] https://www.stmargaretsgaliano.com [2] https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/st-margaret-of-scotland [3] https://bc.anglican.ca/western-peninsula-gulf-islands/st-margaret-of-scotland [4] https://www.stmargaretsgaliano.com/about/our-history [5] https://www.stmargaretscedarcottage.ca