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The Cumberland United Church family is delighted to introduce our new minister Elaine Julian.
Her upbringing in small-town Alberta churches has contributed to her strong sense of call to serve a small congregation.
“(I) can feel the passion for this church and its place in the community,“ says Julian. “This is a strong, diverse and creative congregation. I hope and pray that my interests in vital and meaningful worship, contemplative spirituality and social justice involvement will be useful additions to the amazing gifts its members bring to the work of this church. Together we will explore our commitment to being Christian disciples to this lively community, learning and growing in faith and service to the world.”
After a long career in public libraries, Julian became a candidate for ordained ministry in 2011 and took part-time online courses for two years, then moved to Saskatoon to continue studies at St. Andrew’s College. It was a challenging year in many ways: away from home and family in a strange city experiencing a record cold winter! It was also rich in learning and in new but close college relationships. She is now feeling fortunate to be back in familiar and warmer territory.
Julian’s 20-month appointment at Cumberland United is the next step on her ministry journey, fulfilling the Ministry Residency requirement for the Master of Divinity degree from St. Andrew’s. She serves as a half-time student minister at Cumberland United while also attending occasional learning circles at St. Andrew’s and working on an honours thesis on Christian intentional communities. She hopes to be ordained in the spring on 2016.
“I am excited to be ministering to the Cumberland community along with the members of this church and I hope Cumberland United Church becomes an important part of your journey too,” says Julian.
Cumberland United Church was built in 1888, and was the place of shelter and community for the striking miners between 1912 and 1914. The church family at Cumberland United is very happy to have Elaine join them. Cumberland United Church is the distinctive white church with the red roof and steeple at the corner of First and Penrith in Cumberland.
Sunday worship service and children’s program are at 11 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch.