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Churches enter into a shared ministry
“My name is Andrea and I’m new here.”
With those words Rev. Andrea Brennan, the current minister of Christ Church Anglican cheerfully greeted the congregation of Knox United Church, on the corner of 2nd Ave. and 2nd St.
Brennan’s declaration was met with a hearty round of applause and welcome. In a later statement she added, “Today we are created anew! Thanks be to God!”
“This is the official start for Christ Church Anglican shared ministry with Knox United Church in which they will share an ordained minister and offer worship, pastoral care, spiritual education and outreach to the wider community. We are excited to get started!”
Knox members and adherents are delighted to have Brennan at the reins of Knox United Church after years of concern about the future of their church.
A slowly dwindling congregation had meant even having a part-time minister was becoming a challenge. What would they do as a congregation? What would happen with the century-old church? A few streets over, members of Christ Church Anglican had been praying about how to continue to provide Brennan, who arrived at Christ Church in February 2016, with a full-time position into the foreseeable future.
Potential answers began to take shape in 2018 when talks within each church and between committees representing both churches began. In June, a vote by secret ballot simultaneously by Knox United Church and Christ Church Anglican resulted in support for the two churches entering into a shared ministry and that Rev Brennan should be offered the position as she subsequently did.
“We are excited to see where God will lead us next,” said Catherine Ripley, Warden at Christ Church, “and how, supporting each other, our congregations can more deeply love and serve the community.”
Evelyn Cutts, chair for Knox and of the newly formed Joint Committee said, “it’s an exciting time for both congregations as we continue to offer places of worship, fellowship and community outreach. We are fortunate to have Rev Andrea Brennan serving both congregations and we are looking forward to exploring new possibilities for both congregations as we work together. We invite all to come and join us.”
Regular services are 9 a.m. at Christ Church (591 4th Ave), 11 a.m. at Knox (201 2nd Ave) with a special Covenanting Service planned for Sunday, September 29, to which everyone in the community is invited. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. at Knox and plan to stay for the potluck at Christ Church following the service.
We’d love to see you!
Submitted by Knox United and Christ Church Anglican Churches
