WEST REGION NEWS
Alberta and British Columbia - Michelle Heumann, editor
Riverbend marks DPS’s 15th anniversary
EDMONTON - On July 11, 2021, the congregation had the honour of celebrating Dcn. Kathy Cornish’s fifteenth anniversary as Director of Parish Services at Riverbend Lutheran Church. During the morning worship service, Rev. Sye Van Maanen gave a special blessing in honour of the occasion. Afterwards, the church celebrated her faithful service and dedication to the Lord with snacks and fellowship, followed by a very
fun-filled karaoke party. It was a joyous day to celebrate and connect, especially in light of the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions. “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” - John 10:27-28 (Kathy’s baptism verse)
Rev. Douglas Stapleton marks 25th ordination anniversary
CRESTON, B.C. - Rev. Douglas Stapleton was ordained in Chicago on June 23, 1996, by the Evangelical
Covenant Church, but from his earliest student years he had encountered the life and writings of Martin Luther, who became a role model. As a young pastor, Rev. Stapleton soon learned that writing a sermon each week was not as easy as it sounded, and found a book of Lutheran sermon helps that taught him the practical way to preach Law and Gospel from the texts each week, an approach that has never left him. Through this, the Sacraments took on more importance to him, which was crucial to what would come next. When his ministry ended at his former church, Rev. Stapleton and his wife were left with no place to go to church, and a friend invited them
to attend Redeemer Lutheran Church in Creston. It was a church without a pastor and he was a pastor without a church, and he felt like he had found a place to belong. Rev. Stapleton gave his resume to the then-District President, who recommended that he enroll in the Colloquy Programme at Concordia Seminary in Edmonton. After a year of study, both in person and online, he met the requirements for ordained ministry in Lutheran Church–Canada. Rev. Stapleton retired in November 2019, but is still grateful for opportunities to preach, encourage, and be the church’s “guy with a truck.” Rev. Douglas Stapleton
THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2021
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