News from the Vancouver Airport Chapel - Summer 2022
It is with sadness that we advise you that on July 15, our dear Chaplain Emeritus Layne Daggett was called Home to Heaven. He was our Founder and Champion for 40 years, and we will miss him greatly! Layne's passion for God and people was extraordinary, as you will read in the tribute to him below:
The Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy (VAC) was initiated with YVR Airport Authority by Rev. Layne Daggett in 1982, and officially opened a chaplain's desk in the domestic terminal in 1983. Over the years Layne built a team of board members, associate chaplains and reception volunteers that in 1996 moved to a new Chapel facility in the International Arrivals Building. Layne became well known throughout the airport as a friend of employees and a helper to passengers, especially those arriving as refugee claimants, needing love and practical support. He was famous for carrying his 'office' (laptop computer) with him everywhere and for running an incredibly useful Thrift Store near the terminal for over 15 years! In addition, Layne founded his "Flying Without Fear" course that enabled hundreds of people to board planes successfully, following years of great trepidation.
Then, after 30 years of exemplary service, Layne became VAC Chaplain Emeritus in 2013, entrusting his cherished ministry to me (Dennis). That year YVR Airport Authority gave Layne a wonderful farewell party at which he received rousing accolades for all his contributions to the YVR Community. Now more recently they have agreed to honour Layne by dedicating the new post-security Prayer Room to his name and God-given vision [thanks to Assoc. Chaplain George Sears for the idea!].
What can we say, but that Layne Daggett was a "Man for all Seasons", greatly loved and appreciated by all who knew him. We celebrate his founding and leadership of the Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy! Certainly he shared his life verse to the fullest, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Prayer Requests:
1. For the safety and well-being of all YVR passengers and employees, and for God's wisdom for governments, YVR Airport Authority and the airlines to ably expand services, as Covid-era restrictions are now much more relaxed.
2. For the many airport employees who are stressed and overworked on the job, and facing economic hardships at home due to rising inflation.
3. For the health of Associate Chaplain Carol McLean, and for several of our volunteers who are ill or taking care of loved ones.
Thanks for reading,
Dennis
