My Grandfather Frederick J. Knight had thoughts like Margaret Thatcher about our old Anglican Parish of Nelsonville minister in Cowansville, Quebec. He would often say,
“I don’t mind how much my Minister talks, so long as he does what I say”.
Obviously, he would have met his match with Father David Andrew, Anglican minister of St. James, in Carleton Place. Attendance has flourished since his arrival in town, and he has also increased parish attendance by 50% in Clayton, Franktown, and Innisville when he was there. Father D was also Interim Rector of St. Katherine of Alexandria Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
They say God requires his people to shine as lights in the world, and after a stint in the optical business, he began to search for another light. He had stopped going to church at one point in his life, so he doesn’t know what exactly called him to God. During that 12 year journey he was a McMaster University (Certificate in Addiction Studies) addictions councelor at Rideauwood. Then his soul finally expanded into the worship of the creator, and it was on to the University of Ottawa – St. Paul (BTh.) He became an Ordained Deacon on the Feast of the Ascension on May 13, 1999 and ordained priest on the Feast of St. Andrew, November 30, 1999.
He is an avid Senators fan (a complaining one), used to dabble in photography, and his other hobbies are listed as cat and dog. He loves anything to do with the Civil War, and we have a shared passion for Herron’s Mills. The area around Herron’s Mills, Lanark County was originally settled, starting in 1820, by Scottish immigrants from the southern areas of Scotland. Most of the Scottish who emigrated came from the over-crowded cities and areas in Scotland such as Glasgow and Lanark the town in Lanarkshire. But his love of the area is because his Mother’s last name was Herron and it reminds him of the Clyde River in Scotland.
If he had a magic wand he would make our main street sidewalks wider, and feels sorry for the local merchants as he feels their hands are tied. Father Andrew also says everyone should move to Carleton Place because it’s friendly and it has “as much as you need”, without having to drive to Ottawa. He gave an example of searching for a new TV and priced them all over the area. In the end it was local merchant Art Flint who had the best deal and service. Mr. Flint even delivered it, set it up, and took away the empty box.
He also feels Carleton Place is known as an accepting town, and welcomes people from all cultures, faiths, and genders. In January, St. James welcomed Muslim scholar Imam Mohamad Jebara. Jebara spoke before a big crowd at St. James about how the universal message of religion is to love one another, just like the town of Carleton Place practices.
I have always felt that Ministers should impress upon the people the necessity of individual effort. No church can flourish unless its members are workers. Father D’s enjoys the quote:
“Always be yourself unless you can be a pirate, then be a pirate.”
Everyone on Father D’s pirate ship is a worker, because he pushes the envelope, and we know darn well his holy ship is never going to sink.
St. James Anglican Church is vibrant, loving and welcoming with Father D at the helm. Knowing how outgoing he is, I really hope he picks up on that hot new idea about giving the Sacrament to the masses. It has been said the blood of God should be served in disposable paper Dixie cups for health reasons. Then every spring he could do a Roll up the Rim promo, with 99.5 % saying “Please Pray Again.”
St. James Anglican Church
225 Edmund St., Carleton Place, ON K7C 3E7
WHAT THEY OFFER
Twice-weekly Eucharist services, weekly youth group and Bible studies, several women’s groups, a variety of youth activities, a choir, and an ever-expanding Outreach program to help the less fortunate in other parts of the world.
SUNDAY:
Eucharist: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (family)
Sunday School meets during 10 a.m. service
THURSDAY:
Eucharist at 10.00 a.m. all year
Carleton Place- The Happiest Damn Town in Lanark County
For the Facebook Group:
Tilting the Kilt, Vintage Whispers from Carleton Place by Linda Seccaspina is available at Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street, the Carleton Place Beckwith Museum in Carleton Place, Ontario and The Mississippi Valley Textile Mill in Almonte. available on all Amazon sites (Canada, US, Europe) and Barnes and Noble
lindaseccaspina 