The Reverend Karen Nelles
On Sunday 25 May, our amalgamated parish elected its first parish council, thus beginning a new chapter in our shared history. With that move, we became self-governing, with the Rev’d Karen Nelles as our priest-in-charge.
This is just filler:On Saturday 20 December beginning at four o’clock in the afternoon, Ginny Schleihauf conducted a Blue Christmas service, which was open to any and all who find Christmas to be a challenging time of year due to loss or other sadness. Our Blue Christmas service offered a sacred space to acknowledge the pain, grief, and quiet sadness that many carry during the Christmas season. It reminded us that not all hearts are light at this time of year, and that sorrow, loss, and longing are held tenderly within our faith community. Heartfelt thanks to Ginny for leading this service with such peace, sensitivity, and care. Her thoughtful presence created a calm and compassionate atmosphere where all were welcomed just as they are.
Mr Larry Pajuk, Organist
Larry Pajuk began studying piano at the age of nine, with Louise Pearce (Chilton), in London, Ontario. In 1958, he won the University of Western Ontario second place silver medal for Grade 9 piano, in Ontario. He commenced organ studies initially with Edward Daly, Ed Hysen, William Wickett, and lastly with Gordon Atkinson, and became second assistant organist at St. James Westminster Anglican Church in London, Ontario. Under Gordon Atkinson’s tutelage, Larry won 3 consecutive annual Kiwanis Music Festival scholarships for organ studies.
He was organist/choir director at St. George’s Presbyterian Church, London, Ontario for 9 months, organist/choir director at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Byron, Ontario for 6 1/2 years, organist/choir director at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, London, Ontario for for 4 1/2 years, and then All Saints’ Anglican Church, London, Ontario for 16 years before moving to Sarnia.
He became assistant organist at Canon Davis Memorial Anglican Church, Sarnia, Ontario, and then organist/choir director for 12 years before accepting a position of organist/choir director at St. George’s Anglican Church here in Sarnia. St. George’s amalgamated with St. John’s Anglican Church, and with Christ Anglican Church, Corunna, and as of February 2011, the three parishes became one as All Saint’s Anglican Parish. St. John’s has subsequently closed, and Larry is currently playing as senior organist/choir director (in more ways than one!) at All Saint’s Anglican Church.
Mrs Valerie Garant, Secretary
I grew up associated with the Canadian Military. My father was in the Canadian Armed Forces, and as a result we moved around a lot. (Edmonton, Whitehorse, Victoria & Chilliwack.) I consider myself very lucky as I was able to live and grow up in The Blackforest – Lahr, Germany. I spent 17 years there in total. I also married into the Canadian Military. Still moving around (Comox, Kingston, Vancouver, Calgary & Ottawa) we were then moved to Mons, Belgium, where we spent 4 years. I am truly blessed to have had that opportunity. We returned to Sarnia upon retirement. My spouse is retired from the Canadian Military and I call this my pre-retirement job. (smile) Monday to Friday mornings. I started working here in June 2007. This is one of my favorite jobs. I work with and for many wonderful people. It is a pleasure coming in to work every morning.