She may still be unpacking boxes, but that hasn’t stopped Nancy Monteith, the new reverend of the Jasper United Church, from hitting the ground running—or should we say, hitting the ground skiing?
Together with her husband, Glyn Lloyd, who is a retired Catholic high school teacher and ski instructor, Monteith has been busy settling into her new life and has already managed to get out cross-country skiing three times since arriving on Jan. 6.
“Between my call and the draw to skiing it was fairly easy choice,” said Monteith, about moving to Jasper.
“Everyone has warmly welcomed us and it’s been a very positive experience.”
Prior to moving to Jasper, Monteith spent seven and a half years splitting her time as a reverend between two churches in Cheltenham and Ballinafad, located about an hour and half northwest of Toronto.
While the job at the Jasper United Church is new for Monteith, Jasper is not.
Soon after being ordained in 2005, she spent nine months as an intern in Grande Cache.
“Jasper was my go to place on my day off,” said Monteith, who has visited the Rocky Mountains several times with her husband in the past.
As the new minister for the United Church, she said she would like to improve the links between the community and church and add some modern touches, including a projector and screen for PowerPoint presentations.
Monteith acknowledged, though, that the church already has a lot of ties to the community through the McCready Centre and the thrift shop.
One of the ways she intends to create more connections is to be as open and welcoming as possible.
“Openness is what God and Christ taught,” said Monteith.
“The United Church is probably one of the more open dominations. We’ve led the way for other dominations to look at issues like ordaining women, ordaining gays and lesbians and being open to seeing people as people rather than putting limits [on them].
“For me that’s important, because we need to look at new and different ways of seeing God and of being faithful people in the world and to listen to what other people have to say.”
Monteith said she also hopes to connect with more people using social media and offering opportunities to meet outside of regular church services on Sunday.
When it comes to the topic of God and faith, she also has a very open mind.
“I see faith as something that is a positive in our life, that God wants the best for us and loves us as we are and who we are,” she explained.
“I don’t limit God in terms of how I see God. I see God as being spiritual, not male-female. God is something that draws us into good, into being more than we ever thought possible.”
To meet Monteith in person, drop by the Jasper United Church at 701 Turret St. for Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
