By Jennifer Marlor
On Saturday, July 7, Rev. Jennifer Marlor was inducted as incumbent of St. Columba, Tofino, and the outreach of St. Aidan Without Walls, Ucluelet. The celebration of new ministry had an ecumenical flavour as Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Pentecostals gathered at St. Columba in Tofino to welcome their new colleague to the Pacific Rim and to celebrate this transitional moment with the parish. Lutheran pastors came from as far as Red Deer, Alberta, and as near as Port Alberni. Anglican colleagues came from across the diocese and included three Sisters of St. John the Divine. Present also was the current Roman Catholic priest for Tofino and Ucluelet, Fr. Roger Poblete, and several members of the Tofino Bible Fellowship. Bishop Logan McMenamie presided and Rev. Kristen Steele, pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church (ELCIC) and secretary for the BC Synod, participated in the service leading the renewal of baptismal vows.
Rev. Jennifer Marlor is the first Lutheran to be inducted as incumbent for St. Columba; a reflection of the full communion partnership shared by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Marlor says this appointment by Bishop Logan brings her back to her roots as she grew up in the Anglican church in Saskatoon. When asked what her hopes were for this ministry Marlor indicated her hopes are “to strengthen the ecumenical partnerships in both communities so that we can work together more effectively and faithfully to share God’s love for all people in tangible ways.”
Drawing on the texts used at her ordination, 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and Luke 24:36-53, Marlor noted how this new ministry marks a transitional point for both her and the parish, “What has happened in the past is in the past and God was there. The good news is God is here now too, standing with us, encouraging and inviting us through this transitional moment into the future God imagines for these two communities. Being a church today calls for us to learn and use a different set of skills than we’ve had to in the past. This can be unnerving and a bit intimidating, but God has promised to be with us through the Holy Spirit, encountering and encouraging us, empowering us as we are persistent and patient as we learn how to use these new skills. God is out there in the neighbourhood and we are being invited to join in this holy work of partnering with God to love, bless and heal this world that God loves so much. What an exciting time to the church!”
If you ever find yourself in Tofino or Ucluelet, join us for worship at St. Columba Tofino, Sundays at 10:30am and at 4:00pm in Ucluelet at the Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Room 2, with the folks of St. Aidan’s Without Walls.
Photo: Bishop Logan with Rev. Jennifer Marlor in the front garden at St. Columba.
Photo credit: Myrna Ratledge