St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, Swan Lake, was filled with well-wishers on Saturday, April 25 for the commissioning and ordination of the Pembina Hills Ministry Support Team of the Anglican Diocese of Rupert’s Land. Pembina Hills parishes are: St. Paul’s, Clearwater; St. John the Evangelist, Pilot Mound; St. John the Baptist, Manitou; St. Mary St. Alban, Kaleida; St. Barnabas, Altamont.
Presiding at the service was the Rt. Rev. Donald D. Phillips, Bishop of Rupert’s Land, assisted by the Rev. Deacon Mona Blackburn and the Ven. James Bardsley. Among the guests at the ceremony was the Rev. Tim Morris, visiting from Scotland. He was the team’s first ministry developer, from 2008 to 2011. Current team mentor, the Rev. Canon Norman Collier, presented the candidates for ordination, commissioning and re-commissioning.
Martin Allen was ordained a priest and commissioned to serve as priest, worship leader and preacher. Christopher Lea was ordained a priest and commissioned to serve as priest, worship leader, preacher and stewardship coordinator. Allan Thorleifson was ordained a priest and commissioned to serve as priest, worship leader and preacher. As priests in the Anglican Church of Canada, the Rev. Al Thorleifson, the Rev. Chris Lea, and the Rev. Martin Allen are now licensed to preside over the sacraments of communion and baptism.
Roxy Barrett was commissioned as worship leader, preacher and administrator; Joanne Harris was commissioned as worship leader and preacher; Faye Lodwick Allen was commissioned as pastoral care coordinator; and Kathy Yager was commissioned as pastoral care coordinator. Those being re-commissioned were Beverley Boote as worship leader and preacher; Donald Dobson as administrator; Sandra Dobson as worship leader, preacher and administrator; Terrianne Lea as worship leader and preacher; Jan McIntyre as worship leader and preacher; Bette Mueller as worship leader and ecumenical coordinator; Karen Orchard as worship leader and preacher; William Blackburn as priest, worship leader and preacher; Mona Blackburn as deacon; Carol Guilford as priest, worship leader and preacher.
A large ecumenical choir, drawing singers from Clearwater to Manitou, was directed by Heather Gardiner. The service was followed by a reception at the community hall.
