HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-10-04, Page 7UC ministersettles
in at Grand Bend
ping in to the outdoor services dur-
ing July and August, whether at-
tired In bathing suit and towel, or
Sunday best. Many people will
disappear come fall, to return from
the south next summer. And the
church blocks out most of the noise
during the times the village is filled
with young people looking for fun
in the sun.
Hopes for the future
Stover wants a long-term rela-
tionship with his two congrega-
tions. He has hopes and dreams for
them. He is waiting expectantly
for the long-range planning com-
mittee to bring in some proposals
for consideration. He also wishes
to help create a caring community,
where people will be comfortable
bringing concerns for each other be-
fore God, and praying for each oth-
er.
More outreach into the communi-
ty is another goal. He believes
there are many new people in the
area with no.church connection who
have never heard the gospel.
"f like to think of myself as a•
gentle evangelist. telling others
what God has done for me," he said,
adding "the church has a mission
and an opportunity that is not part
of anyone else's mandate."
By Yvonne Reynolds
GRAND BEND - "Everything
you ever wanted to know about
your pastor, but were afraid to
ask," was the intriguing topic cho-
sen by Rev. Colin Stover for a re-
cent sermon. The 29 -year-old re-
layed the steps that brought him to
his present appointment as mini-
ster of the United Church congre-
gations in Grand Bend and Green-
way.
Although Stover was baptized in
a United Church as an infant, he
was not raised in a church. As his
businessman father moved the fam-
ily around, starting is St. Thomas,
on to Toronto, and then into the
US, the familygradually let all
church affiliation lapse.
Stover returned to Canada when
he was 15, and became involved
with a crowd who drank, smoked
,, pot, and partied every weekend., He
refers to that period as his wild
year. He was befriended by Chris-
tians, and by the end of the year
had accepted Jesus as Lord and Sa-
viour. During that time, he was
introduced to the charismatic move-
ment - by Anglicans.
Beginning of ministry
A strong pull into the ministry
was encouraged by his minister and
his uncle, but not his parents;
they wanted their son to enter a
profession promising a more lucra-
tive reward.
However, Stover, knew what
God had called him to do.
"I was converted in the United
Church. I am in. the United•
Church by choice," he commented.
In 1979 he headed off to the
University of Windsor, where he
earned his BA and met and married
his wife, Annette. Hearing that
most new ministers were sent to
rural Saskatchewan after ordination,
Stover decided to get a head start.
He was accepted at St. Andrews
College in Saskatoon.
"I had never seen the prairies. I
went in blind faith," -Stover re-
calls.
The first year at seminary was
"rough". The young pastor in
training felt that what he was learn-
ing was not applicable to real life.
It was all books, and no practical
experience. He became a lay min-
ister in the tiny hamlet of Alame-
da, in southeast Saskatchewan.
"That congregation was God's in-
strument to reenereize me. I found
out that what I was learning was
applicable. After that wonderful
year, I went back to seminary be-
cause I wanted to," Stover said.
Stover served his internship in
Brandon, Manitoba. He asked the
lay committee supervising his in-
ternship to pick one course for his
final year. They chose crisis coun-
selling.
"That was the one course I would
not have taken. I. was terrified,"
Stover said, adding it has since
proven to be one of the most valua-
ble.
Stover was ordained in Sault Ste.
Marie by London Conference in
1987, and returned to the west, to
Wiseton, Saskatchewan, for his
The Ambassadors return
EXETER - Those who like Male
Chorus music (and who doesn't)
will be glad to know that The Am-
bassadors are coming back. This
30 -voiced group from Hamilton,
Ontario, performed in Exeter Unit-
ed Church a year ago and will be
back by (almost) popular demand.
If you were at last year's concert
you will remember the variety in
the program -material, which ranged
from the tender Pie Jesu to the ro-
bust Seventy-six Trombones. And
for many listeners the Chorus' ren-
dition of Negro Spirituals consti-
tuted the highlight of the evening.
Critics in the greater Hamilton
area have come to appreciate this
chorus for their well-balanced
sound, their sensitivity, and general
musicality. This group has also
done very well in some rather pre-
stigious Choral competitions, such
as the Canada -wide competition
sponsored by C.B.C. radio.
Those who missed last year's
concert may want to make.a special
effort to attend this cd'ming perfor-
mance. The concert will again be
held in Exeter United Church, Oc-
tober 25 (Saturday) at 8:00 p.m.
As a note(!) of interest we should
mention that The Ambassadors this
year celebrate their 20th Anniver-
sary. This joyous occasion will no
doubt be reflected in this concert.
settlement (first) charge.
Contrasts
Stover contrasts the Wiseton and
Grand Bend -Greenway charges.
"In Saskatchewan; they ask when
the rains will come. In Ontario
they ask when the rain will be over.
Last year was one of continuous
dust storms on the prairie. There
was one inch of rain in 12 months.
It's hard to keep your spirits up," he
remarked.
Daughter Cara's birth turned the
Stovers' thoughts to their families
in Ontario. The trips back were
long and tiring, and they wanted
their children to grow up close to
grandparents, uncles, aunts and
cousins.
Colin and Annette began scan-
ning the personnel file at the back
of the United Church Observer.
Thoy considered any and all open-
ings from Sudbury south, checking
only to see that available parishes
were within a day's drive of St.
Thomas and Windsor. All response
was negative.
Back to Ontario
When Stover read of the Grand
Bend -Greenway opening, he sent off
an application without even telling
his wife, as he met none of the stat-
ed requirements. To his surprise,
he was called and asked for a tape of
one of his sermons. Next came a
90 -minute telephone interview.
Half an hour later, he was called
back and a call was issued. He
asked for time to think and pray,
before saying "yes".
"There was a lot of trust on both
sides," Stover said with a smile.
The Stover family which now in-
cluded son Joel, moved into the
manse beside the Grand Bend church
on June 28. The two-point charge
hada permanent minister effective
July 1.
Happy in The Bend
The adjectives spilled out when
Stover was asked how he liked his
present post. Contented. At peace.
Joyful. Excited. Fulfilled. Like
the Israelites must have felt on ar-
riving in the promised land after
years in the desert. He compares
the prairie dust storms with the re-
freshing breezes off Lake Huron, or
a short walk rather than an hour's
drive for ice cream or a pizza, or a
jaunt into London to take Joel to
see Peter Pan when a comparable
excursion would take all day out
west.
He enjoyed the worshippers drop -
Meet McCurdy teachers - It was time for parents to meet the teachers at McCurdy school at Huron
Park, Thursday night. Above, teacher Debra Coates chats with Shelley Parsons and her children Laura
and Ben and Gary and Belinda Sauder and Colin.
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.,,Open reception in Exeter.
Times -Advocate, October 4, 1989
Page 7
At the computer - Colin Stover, Grand Bend United Church's new
minister, . uses his computer for everything from composing his ser-
mons to creating handbills for special services.
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