A special covenanting service will be held Nov. 19 to mark the beginning of Rev. Alan Claassen’s ministry with the congregation of St. John’s United Church, 5085 Davis Bay Road in Davis Bay. It will take place during the 10 a.m. worship service.
Rev. Claassen is a United Church of Christ minister who has served churches in Washington, Oregon, and most recently in Sonoma, Calif. He attended the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley for his graduate studies, and later completed a certificate program at the University of Creation Spirituality, which was founded by Matthew Fox.
Rev. Claassen is also a facilitator with the Seattle-based organization, the Center for Courage and Renewal, founded by author and social activist Parker J. Palmer. He is a singer/songwriter, guitarist and concert organizer, and worked as an event coordinator with several San Francisco Bay Area non-profit performing art organizations, including Bread and Roses, which was founded by Joan Baez’s sister, Mimi Farina.
Alan and his wife Betsy met while attending the American School in London, England. They first became acquainted with the beauty of this area when they began attending the Vancouver Island Music Fest in Courtenay five years ago. They have two children, Lauryn, 31, and Cody, 28, and are both avid kayakers, hikers and lovers of all forms of artistic expression.
St. John’s United Church welcomes the ministry and participation of all persons, regardless of ethnic and cultural background, differing abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, and economic circumstance. Under the leadership of Rev. Janice Young, the congregation has also worked closely in many projects with the shíshálh Nation, just as the United Church of Canada has dedicated itself to the work of Truth and Reconciliation across the country.
The covenanting service for Rev. Claassen will be a festive celebration of word, symbol, prayer and music. Rev. Robert Smith, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, will offer the sermon, Rev. Terri Scallon, minister of Gibsons United Church, will represent the Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery, and Rev. Marc Coloumbe will represent the British Columbia Conference Office. Following the service there will be a reception to share in conversation over a simple soup and bread luncheon.
For more information contact the office at stjohns.sunshinecoast@gmail.com, or 604-885-9822, or see stjohns-united.org.
– Submitted
