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Home My WebLink AboutTimes 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. 3 DAYS ONLY... -- SHOP EARLY NOW FOR YOUR BEST SELECTION OF... COSTUMES ACCESSORIES MASKS HAIRSPRAY WIGS _ ...COSTUMES----_._.. MAKE-UP PLUS MORE! ALL. GIFT FIGURINES 1 5 °'°OFF SAVE BIG DURING OUR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST SALE ON NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 10T ONLY! 'SONE SPECIALS VALID OCTOBER 51H THROUGH OGrOBER 77H ONLY. Forthcoming marriage - Mr." and Mrs. Eric Kints of Exeter are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Janet Marie to Jeffrey John Taylor, son of Jack and Mary Jane Taylor of Exeter. The wedding will take place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on October 7, 1989 at 3 p.m. .,,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. The Savings are great at Brigitte's FALL HARVEST OF VALUES Shop and Save Now. Sale Ends Sat. Oct. 7 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5TH TO SATURDAY. 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