To Be Instruments of God's Love to All People
The Induction of the Reverend Andrew Halladay by Archbishop Melissa Skelton as Vicar of St. Andrew’s, Langley
During the evening of October 10, 2018, the Feast Day of St. Paulinus of York, the Reverend Andrew Halladay was licensed by Archbishop Melissa Skelton as Vicar of The Parish of St. Andrew the Apostle, Langley. The parish had not had a “without term” ordained leader of their shared ministry since the Reverend Paula Porter Leggett completed her ministry as rector there in September of 2016 following a 5+ year incumbency. November 1, 2016, Archbishop Skelton appointed the Reverend Helen Tervo as interim priest-in-charge at ½ time and she served the parish very well in that role for almost 2 years. During that time of self-study, discernment and working toward financial stability the parish continued to focus on their ministry and their future culminating in the development of their Parish Profile and ministry posting, seeking a vicar, 60% (3 days a week) without term. The successful candidate for this ministry position was at the time of its posting, the Vicar of St. Augustine’s, Marpole and Director of the Diocesan School for Parish Development for both the Diocese of New Westminster and the Diocese of Ottawa, the Reverend Andrew Halladay.
The Canonical Committee studied the applications, interviewed a short list of candidates and confidently requested that Archbishop Skelton appoint the Reverend Andrew Halladay. Which she did.
There was an excellent turnout on the early fall evening of members of the parish (including the choir), and a good number of clergy primarily from the Valley Deanery. More than a dozen members (including Rocky the dog) of Rev. Halladay's former parish made the trip to Langley to wish their departing vicar well in his new ministry. There were also a good number of lay folks also from the Valley Deanery, specifically St. Dunstan's, Aldergrove where Rev. Halladay's husband, the Reverend David Taylor is rector. As Director of the Diocesan School for Parish Development, Andrew is well-known and has established connections in every region of the diocese. The Reverend Helen Tervo was also vested and in attendance at the Celebration of a New Ministry Eucharist.
The preacher for the Eucharist was the Reverend Kristen Steele, pastor of Shepherd of the Valley, the neighbouring Lutheran church. In her homily, inspired by the Gospel, Matthew 5: 14-16, Pastor Steele spoke about the role of the Church in the community, how the love of Jesus can be modelled and shared in a contemporary context like Langley, and how that vision has become increasingly important in her ministry. This was a fitting theme for St. Andrew’s for that portion of her message is at the core of their mission statement:
“We believe we are called to be a community of faith who welcomes everyone to seek spiritual growth through Jesus Christ to be instruments of God’s love to all people.”
The theme of the mission statement is continued in the opening paragraph of the Parish Profile document:
“St. Andrew’s is a spiritual home for people of all generations who come together to worship God, share community and reach out with hope. We provide the opportunity for worship and spiritual support for both members of our congregation and anyone else in the community who has need. This reflects who we are and what we believe is the key to our future.”
Rev. Halladay brings many gifts to his new ministry. He is a scholar, a skilled musician, an excellent singer, an inspiring preacher, and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher. He established himself at St. Augustine’s as a consensus builder within the parish and as a community organizer bringing the Church into the life of the surrounding neighbourhood. He also has a long association with ministries among young people, being one of the founders of the Sheep and Goats Diocesan Arts Ministry and currently serving as the Clerical Representative to the British Columbia and Yukon Anglican Youth Movement.
Andrew will continue in his role as Director of the Diocesan School for Parish Development, but hopefully the move to the Langley parish which is nearer to the home he shares with David and their two sons, Nathan and Logan will greatly reduce the amount of time he spends in the car.
“To be instruments of God’s love to all people” is an ambitious statement, however, this newly established combination of vicar and parish in Langley has all the components to make the pursuit of this goal a reality, not just words on a pew bulletin cover.
Please keep the Parish of St. Andrew’s, Langley, the Reverend Andrew Halladay and his family in your prayers as they begin this new phase of ministry.
IMAGES
- Andrew is welcomed to the Valley Deanery by regional dean, the Reverend Al Carson, rector of St. John, Sardis. On the left is Archdeacon of Fraser, the Venerable Louie Engnan.
- Archbishop Skelton leads the applause of welcome
- Preacher, the Reverend Kristen Steele
- Rocky, a former parishioner from St. Augustine's, Marpole.
- Donalda presents the vicar with the healing oil of unction during the Presentation of the Symbols of Ministry.
- The Reverend Andrew Halladay administers the Body of Christ to Rocky's family.