WHITEWATER REGION (Beachburg) — Reverend Gillian Hoyer and Reverend Matthew Brown are sharing pastoral duties at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Beachburg.
But, that’s not the only Anglican church they will be serving. With the availability of priests declining, 15 Anglican churches within 12 congregations between Petawawa to Cobden to Barry’s Bay are trying something new, said Rev. Brown. They have joined together to form The Parish of The Valley and there are three priests and a bishop to help with the charges. Reverend Susan Clifford based out of Eganville and Reverend Michael Bird, who is a retired bishop and the team leader, is based out of Barry’s Bay. Rev. Hoyer and Brown, who are married, reside near Petawawa.
“Michael has a wealth of experience and knowledge and we’re just grateful to have him,” he said. “Susan’s been in the valley for 10 years now. We’re the new part of the team.”
The couple are responsible for the churches in Petawawa, Alice, Pembroke and Beachburg.
The two met while in theological college, married three years ago and were ordained two-and-a-half years ago.
“We were ordained together,” Rev. Hoyer.
Prior to coming here, the couple were serving two different parishes in Victoria, British Columbia.
But, with the opportunity to move closer to their families, the two decided to come to the Valley. Rev. Hoyer grew up in Belleville and Rev. Brown grew up in Thurso, Quebec. Since this area is about half-way between the two families, it made sense to come here, she said.
Only here for a short time, Rev. Hoyer said, “In just the few short months here, I’m impressed with how imbedded (the parishioners) are with their community. There’s a sense of neighbours and friends. They help each other in whatever ways are required to move forward.”
The residents are committed to the health of their village and the church is an important part of that commitment, Rev. Brown said.
“It’s something we need to continue,” he said. “It’s our historic role to be the village centre. The churches were, so it’s kind of reclaiming that for us. We want to be a part of the life of the village, serving the village.”
New Time in Beachburg
The two priests began worship services on June 1 in Beachburg. In conversations with the parishioners, it was agreed something needed to be done for various reasons. With the number of parishioners in Pembroke and Petawawa, the church service needed to remain Sunday mornings, Rev. Brown explained.
The couple spoke to the Beachburg parishioners and they asked for a Sunday night service.
“We were really touched by them” asking for a Sunday evening service, he said. “They’re eager to try and welcome new people in and they’re thinking if we had a 7 o’clock worship time, maybe a few more people who are tied up Sunday morning, camping, playing hockey, whatever, might want to come out and have a nice quiet family church service before starting their week off.”
Rev. Hoyer added, “It’s a great way to end the weekend and get the work week off to a good start.”
So, St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Beachburg’s first evening service is this Sunday, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. and will continue with the existing pattern of having service on the first and third Sundays.
They both admit this is an experiment.
Rev. Brown said, “We’ll see how the spirit moves us. We’ll evaluate as we go.
“It has to be what works in this day and age.”
Rev. Hoyer added, “We want what’s best for the community.”
The couple admit they are surprised how many parishioners come to church Sunday morning, and with the change, are hopeful more will attend in the evening.
“We were pleasantly surprised,” Rev. Hoyer said, adding, “People have been so welcoming to us and we thoroughly enjoy getting to know the people.”
With a church this size, there is a good core to start with, Rev. Brown said.
“There’s various age groups attending,” he said. “The generations are mixing it up, which is really healthy, it’s not just a group of older folks, it’s a mix of ages.”
Rev. Brown continued, “I think that’s what excites me, changing to 7 o’clock, because maybe some of that intergenerational feel will start to catch on. No one wants to come to church and have the same old, same old.
“In a community like this, that’s very healthy, there is plenty of room to grow.”
Rev. Hoyer is hopeful there will be even more people attending church, since many can’t attend in the morning sometimes due to sports-related events or meeting up with family and friends for brunch.
All are Welcome
Rev. Brown believes with better communication between the Anglican churches throughout the area, parishioners from other churches can attend. The Parish of the Valley is going to use social media more, with hopes of reaching out to those in the community.
“Our announcements, our bulletins, they’re all linked up, a new website is being developed, we are actively engaged with social media,” he said. “We’re on facebook, twitter, Instagram, the Parish of the Valley is out there.”
Rev. Brown encourages any Christians to attend a service and explore with them. It’s important the couple meet the people where they are.
“In the Anglican tradition, any Christian who has been baptized is welcome to come to communion,” he said.
Rev. Hoyer added, that those who have not been baptized are welcome to “come and explore with us. It’s not an exclusive club. Everyone is welcome to come and explore. We love chatting with folks, we love getting to know people, answering questions.
“I like to think we’re pretty approachable,” she said.
Rev. Hoyer said whenever they have gotten together with the parishioners in Beachburg, there has been laughter and joy, which is positive for the community.
Rev. Brown said they like to meet people.
“We’re not out to thump the bible, our faith is biblically informed and that’s what you will hear from our pulpits, good bible preaching,” he said. “We believe in being an inclusive church and meeting people where they are.”
When the couple aren’t busy with their parish duties, they enjoy canoeing, fishing and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Rev. Brown said he is looking forward to learning how to ice fish.
“We’re very much outdoor folks,” he said. “It’s a big part of the appeal coming here, we knew we were on the edge of Algonquin Park, on the river.”
