Page 19 - Presbyterian Connection

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SUMMER 2022
George Robert Barrie, elder at Central Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Ont., with the Rev. Dr. Aubrey J. Botha.
A Lifetime of Service
Upon the unanimous recommen- dation of the Assembly Council, the 2022 General Assembly ap- pointed the Rev. Victor Kim as the next Principal Clerk. Victor’s depth of faith, hope for the future of the denomination and his un- derstanding of the position greatly impressed the Search Committee and Assembly Council.
When the Rev. Stephen Ken- dall, Principal Clerk, announced last year his intention to retire, a search for a successor was initiated. The position descrip- tion was circulated to synods and presbyteries and shared within the denomination. A call for nomi- nations and applications was open until January 15, 2022.
The Search Committee con- sisted of co-conveners Sandra Cameron Evans and Cindy Ste- phenson, the Rev. Peter Bush, the Rev. Jennifer Cameron, the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris, the Rev. Wally Hong, Sophia Seo Yoon Kim, the Rev. Ross Lockhart, the Rev. Mar- garet Mullin and Barbara Sargent.
The Search Committee was impressed by the quality of the candidates who were nominated by presbyteries and gives thanks
for the strength of leadership within The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
As the current minister at Richmond Presbyterian Church, in Richmond, B.C., the Rev. Kim has served there for the past six years. He is also the Clerk of the Presbytery of Westminster and has been since 2016. He pres- ently holds duties as a member of the Board of Vancouver School of Theology and has served as a member of the Board of St. An- drew’s Hall in the past. Prior to the call to Richmond, Victor was the minister of Grace Presbyterian Church, Calgary, for 22 years, 16 of those years as Lead Minister.
Throughout his ministry, Victor has been active in the local com- munity, both in Richmond and Cal- gary, with interfaith organizations as well as ecumenical coalitions working for justice and dignity for all people. Presently, the con- gregation in Richmond is hosting events around Learning from In- digenous Wisdom as par t of the congregation’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with their Indigenous communities.
Victor was born in South Korea
The Rev. Victor Kim.
and immigrated to Canada at the age of seven. He is married to Sul Hee (Sophie), and they have two children. He has a degree in Politi- cal Science from the University of Calgary and completed his Mas- ter of Divinity at Knox College, Toronto.
Humbled by the call to be the next Principal Clerk of the General Assembly and Secretary of the Assembly Council, Victor looks forward to continuing to serve Christ and Christ’s people through the ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in this capacity.
By Lynda Pinnington, Clerk of Session, Central Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Ont.
George Robert Barrie was or- dained as an elder at Central Pres- byterian Church in Cambridge, Ont, on Feb. 5, 1961. Sixty-one years and one day later, on Feb. 6, 2022, Central Church recognized George’s years of dedicated and faithful service by naming him an “Elder Emeritus.” George’s an- cestors were among the founders of Central Church in the 1800s
and his father, brother and now his son have also received elder- ship roles.
George has served in many ca- pacities over the years, including choir member, participant on a mission trip to Lesotho, and most recently as team leader for stew- ardship. Seen here with Central’s minister, the Rev. Dr. Aubrey J. Botha, George is holding the letter of appreciation he received from the Moderator of General Assem- bly on the occasion of his retire- ment from active service.
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New Principal Clerk Announcement
45 Years of Music Ministry at Lucknow
Norma Raynard, organist and music director at Lucknow Presbyterian Church in Lucknow, Ont., was recognized for her 45 years of music ministry, during the church’s 149th anniversary service on May 29.
By Pat Livingston, Lucknow Presbyterian Church in Lucknow, Ont.
“I’m blessed that my congrega- tion is still putting up with me,” said Norma Raynard as she remi- nisced about her 45 years as or- ganist at Lucknow Presbyterian Church (LPC), in Lucknow, Ont.
Her road to becoming organ- ist at LPC was not a direct offer, at least how Norma recalled it. Donalda Moffat was the organist at the church and asked if Nor- ma would like to play the organ. Norma thought she meant she could play it for her own enjoy- ment. They met at the church and Donalda explained the intricacies of the organ. When Donalda went on to say that Norma would play one hymn in church that next Sunday, “I didn’t quite know how to say no,” said Norma, who with her husband, Bruce, had four children, the youngest being two. “Donalda became my mentor,” and the ladies became partners in providing music ministry.
When Norma’s sister-in-law, Mary Lou Raynard, moved into Lucknow, she became the third to share in leading the music minis- try at the church. It was another casual approach that drew Mary Lou into the fold. “Grant Farrish asked if I would be interested in
helping out,” said Mary Lou. “It was only to be once in a while, but soon changed to monthly.”
Norma became the solo organ- ist in 2013 when Mary Lou and Doug moved to Listowel. Norma has worked with six different ministers, with the Rev. Peggy Kinsman the longest at 23 years. The Rev. Kinsman was happy to acknowledge and celebrate Nor- ma’s many years of service as organist and music director.
“I always appreciated her part- nership with me as we prepared for worship each week,” said the Rev. Kinsman. “Norma was gra- cious and honest in helping me understand when a new hymn needed to be introduced slowly and with the leadership of the choir.” At one time, the LPC choir included 20 members. “Norma has served faithfully with dedica- tion in her role as organist, pianist and choir leader and I extend my thanks for her 45 years of service. I wish her God’s richest blessings
as she continues to share her gifts and serve as organist and music director.”
The duties of a church organist are far more than Sunday servic- es, with many taking place behind the scenes. They involve special occasions—such as anniversary services, funerals, weddings, dedications, carolfest and choir practice. Norma fondly recalls the ritual when for Mother’s Day all the men in the church formed a choir and sang for the ladies, and then on Father’s Day, the roles were reversed.
“My greatest joy as music di- rector is when you play to a full church, like I was able to do for the big reunion,” said Norma, re- ferring to the Make it Great in ’98 community service.
Norma’s musical talents are evident whether she is seated at the organ or the piano, but when asked, she admits, “For church, organ music is my preference.”
Entering into a state of worship
has been called a process. Norma has been leading congregations at LPC into that state for 45 years, each time her fingers touched the black and white keys.
Mary Lou Raynard (left) and Norma Raynard (right), sisters-in- law, shared the music ministry at the Lucknow Presbyterian Church between 1989 and 2013. PHOTO CREDITS: PAT LIVINGSTON