Page 27 - Presbyterian Connection Fall 2025

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ConnectionP R E S B Y T E R I A N
Welcoming a
New Minister
in Medicine Hat
By Pearl Fauser, St. John’s
Presbyterian Church in Medicine
Hat, Alta.
On May 3, the Rev. Heather
Carlson was inducted as minister
of St. John’s Presbyterian Church
in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Members of Calgary-MacLeod
Presbytery, Interim Moderator
the Rev. Peter Baek, members
of the Rev. Heather’s family, lo-
cal ministers, and the friends
and family of St. John’s met in
celebration and joy for a lunch-
eon, prepared and served by the
Congregational Life and Mission
Committee and Women of the
Church, and for the induction
service that followed.
Eric Kean piped the procession
of presbyters into the service and
induction, led by the Rev. Peter
Baek, Clerk of Presbytery Chris-
tian Persaud, Moderator Heather
Bryant, the Rev. Bob Cruick-
shank and Joyce Engel. The Rev.
Christopher Joiner delivered the
sermon, and the choir provided
an anthem especially chosen for
the induction. In welcome, the
Search Committee presented a
wall clock to the Rev. Heather
and Women of the Church pre-
sented a quilt, the top of which
had been pieced by Pearl Fauser,
borders and finishing by June
Freeman, with quilting done by
Colleen at Thimble & Threads.
Appreciation was expressed to
the Interim Moderator for his
gentle and caring leadership and
guidance during the vacancy.
At the welcome luncheon. Seated (left to right) are: the Rev. Nancy Cocks, the
Rev. Heather Carlson, Clerk of Presbytery Christian Persaud, Moderator of
Presbytery Heather Bryant, the Rev. Peter Baek and, standing, Clerk of Session
Joyce Engel.
Joyce Engel expresses appreciation
for Interim Moderator the Rev. Peter
Baek.
Presentation of the quilt from Women of the Church. Pictured (left tor right):
Phyllis Pudwell, June Freeman and the Rev. Heather, with the Rev. Bob Cruick-
shank at back. Piper Eric Kean.
Bible Course Deepens
Faith Connections
By the Rev. John Borthwick, Centre
for Lifelong Learning at Knox
College in Toronto, Ont.
Earlier this year, the Rev. John
Borthwick, curator of ministryfo-
rum.ca and director of the Cen-
tre for Lifelong Learning at Knox
College in Toronto, Ont., hosted
an online gathering that brought
together participants from across
Canada and Brazil. Using the
Canadian Bible Society’s Bible
Course (biblesociety.ca/thebi-
blecourse), this diverse cohort
embarked on a journey through
scripture to deepen their under-
standing and strengthen their faith
connections.
The Bible Course is an eight-
session program designed to help
participants grow in their under-
standing of the Bible, suitable
for both newcomers and those
well-versed in scripture. Using
a unique storyline approach—
through video teaching, written
guides, diagrams and read-
ings—it shows how key events,
books and characters fit together.
The course is flexible and can be
used in various settings, including
homes, workplaces, churches or
online meetings.
Toyin Agbaje explained, “I
registered for the Bible Course
because I wanted to deepen my
knowledge of the Bible.” She
particularly appreciated the com-
prehensive nature and quality of
the presentation by Dr. Andrew
Ollerton, noting that “the open
format was wonderful, because
everyone had a chance to give an
opinion and an explanation.”
Pamela Richardson praised
the course as “outstanding,”
highlighting how “eight well-
structured online sessions” with
“a skilled and knowledgeable fa-
cilitator guided our group of 15
participants through meaning-
ful discussions and insights that
covered the entire history of the
Bible from Genesis to Revelation!”
Eugênio Anunciação from Bra-
zil found the materials “vibrant
and practical,” particularly valu-
ing how “the authors use many
metaphors to help students con-
nect the Bible’s different cultural
world views to their own reality.”
The cross-cultural aspect created
unexpected enrichment: “It was a
unique opportunity to meet broth-
ers and sisters from Canada who
also love the Word of God.”
Candy Grant offered perspec-
tive on how the Bible Course ad-
dresses contemporary ministry
challenges, noting it is “an excel-
lent example of how to lighten the
load for our ministers by sharing
our programs.” The flexibility of
recorded online delivery allowed
participants to engage in the
comfort of their own home or at
a time that is convenient.
This experience demonstrates
how digital platforms can create
meaningful connections across
borders, bringing together diverse
voices in the shared pursuit of
biblical understanding and spir-
itual growth.
For future offerings, subscribe
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