Diocesan Family of Churches Upholds Jasper Community in Prayer

"We are a diocesan family of churches, and we will walk with each other," Bishop Stephen London said in a Pastoral Letter to members of the diocese upon learning on Thursday morning, July 25, that wildfire had consumed several structures in Jasper, including St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church.

"Please continue to uphold the community of Jasper and the parish of St. Mary and St. George in prayer. In the 23rd Psalm, the psalmist walks through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that God accompanies us. Today we hold to that promise."

Interviewed by local and national media later on Thursday, Bishop London told Min Dhariwal on Radio Active, and David Cochrane on Power and Politics that his priority was locating and connecting with parishioners who had been evacuated from Jasper on Monday evening.

"As far we know most of our people went (initially) to Valemont, B.C. and we want to find where they are now and provide pastoral care if they need it."

"Please continue to uphold the community of Jasper and the parish of St. Mary and St. George in prayer. In the 23rd Psalm, the psalmist walks through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that God accompanies us. Today we hold to that promise," Bishop London said.

Today, the Rev. Andreas Sigrist lives in west Edmonton where he is rector of St. Matthias, but from 2019 to 2022 he and his family resided in Jasper where Andreas served as rector of St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church. He offered the following prayer:
"Loving Creator, thank you for hearing the cries of our hearts even if we don't know what to say. As the people of Jasper join people around the world and throughout history forced to leave their homes, may they connect with the current of divine love flowing steadily like the Athabasca and Miette rivers. Grant us courage and wisdom to see through the smoke, remembering that where there is ash, green things will grow again."