Who I am and what I stand for

I am a retired priest of the Anglican Church of Canada, having served in two dioceses (Edmonton and Brandon) before hitting the “magic number” in 2013 (age 65). My theology is both orthodox and progressive, finding its roots in the historical faith of the Church, but continually challenged by the growth in human knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a neighbour.

I currently serve as Honorary Assistant at Holy Trinity Church in the Old Strathcona district of Edmonton. I preach from time to time, do occasional supply preaching at other parishes, and for several years coordinated the Education for Ministry program for the Diocese of Edmonton. In my spare time, I sing with Vocal Alchemy, a fine community choir, and in the choir at Holy Trinity. I have served on the board of my condo for several years, the last three as Board President. Retired life is as full and as busy as I want it to be.

Born in the UK, I came to Canada before I was 4 years old, when my father sought new employment in a new country. Like my father, I have never regretted his choice of a new homeland. I love this country, and I continue to work and to pray for its well-being and the well-being of all its peoples, especially the Indigenous people of the land.

My politics are frankly left-leaning: I have supported the New Democratic Party federally and provincially since my time as a student at the University of Alberta (B.Sc. 1969; M.Sc. 1979). Some have called me a pacifist, but I prefer the term “practitioner of non-violence.” Nonetheless, I am not doctrinaire politically, finding the greater call in the Gospel of Christ, which is neither right- or left-wing, but challenges all political ideologies.

For me, the greatest good is “neighbourliness,” a word I learned from the great Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann. I find in this one word the call to love our neighbours as ourselves, the second great commandment, which teaches us how to keep the first: Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.

That’s what I’m all about: Love God, love your neighbour. Everything else is commentary.