About Us

All Saints Lutheran Church is a mission congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) BC Synod.

We are an inclusive community. Everyone is welcome to participate in the Lord’s Supper including the children.

Being Christian involves being shaped by the language of the Christian tradition, including the Bible as the foundation of the tradition. Some in this church understand language quite literally and factually. Others understand it symbolically and metaphorically. What we share is a common passion for the beyond-literal meaning of the stories and teachings that shape us.

Our Pastor is Tyler Gingrich.

In many ways Tyler Gingrich is like your typical pastor...

Tyler was born and raised right here in British Columbia. As the son and great-grandson of Lutheran pastors, he was bound to be at church every Sunday from the get-go.

He attended the University of Victoria where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Political Science. He received a Masters of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, and was ordained a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada in 2004.

Tyler has studied piano, and continues to play for fun, and for the occasional worship service. He is also an amateur percussionist, and enjoys playing songs by The Beatles with other musician friends.

Tyler and his wife Melissa have two daughters, Caitlyn and Sarah. Melissa is also very involved in All Saint’s life, leading the worship music group, and playing the piano for service.

But, there are many things that make Tyler different...

Tyler believes that while the Christian church may have lost much of its relevance in today’s society, it still has much to offer. In particular, Tyler points to the way in which church draws people together of different generations; where people are vulnerable with one another when they eat together and sing together; and where stories are shared – stories of our ancestors in faith, as well as our own stories as we journey in life together.

Tyler believes the Lutheran tradition allows, and even encourages us to question WHAT and WHY we do what we do...

The 16th Century Protestant Reformation in Germany was a comment on the state of the western church of its time. Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic monk who empowered people to be active in the living out of their faith. Luther did not seek to break with the church, but he did want for the church to change its restrictive and exploitative ways. Luther always asked, what are we doing and why do we do it? Luther realized that the way of Jesus Christ was a way of grace, and it was about freeing people to be fully who they are.

“In our day, we must ask the same question. Why do we do what we do? Why does the church do what it does? If we're doing what we do out of some sense of duty, obligation, tradition, or fear of punishment, is it really grace-centered and a freeing thing?

“It's important to have conversation and seek understanding about what we, each of us, value. Coming together as a faith community doesn't mean that we'll all be on the same page always, but we work at life together.

At All Saints, we actively join in this conversation and seek understanding and acceptance of people from all walks of life. We believe this to be a living out of the reforming tradition begun in Luther's time.”

- Tyler Gingrich

All Saints Advisory Committee

“What is it about All Saints that keeps me involved? The people I meet there challenge me to think deeper, welcome my questioning, and help me along the way to being all I am meant to be. All Saints helps me integrate my everyday life and my spiritual life. And the music is wonderful! “

- Cathryn Aune

“After growing up in the Catholic Church, I drifted away from church life after high school. As a young person I realized that so much of what I was being taught contradicted what I knew to be right. In fact, I felt much of the politics of the church, flew in the face of the points Jesus was trying to get across. At All Saints, I have found a church community that encourages questions, welcomes and accepts EVERYONE, and acknowledges that we are not all perfect. Its a community that I feel completely comfortable raising my young family in.”

– Charmaine de Silva

“Growing up in a religious family gave me a rigid set of rules to abide by. When I broke the rules and came out at 30 I wanted to feel the acceptance and support of my family. Unfortunately, at 47 I still feel a degree of separation from them. At All Saints I feel totally welcomed and accepted for my real self. At this point I feel I can approach the church again. A church about ideas, social justice, freedom and inclusiveness.”

- Paul Skutshek Jr.