The Congregation

Our congregation has people from many different Christian backgrounds. We have been described as a unique congregation. Members come from Anglican, United, Pentecostal, Mennonite and Lutheran traditions among others. Like the community, the congregation is mostly younger adults and families, but also includes seniors and “empty nesters”. There is a great feeling of family when we gather.

Our congregation has averaged about 30 families for many years. We have grown to the point of being physically crowded in our facilities, only to see attendance drop back to this average level, giving us room to grow again. This is partly due to the transient nature of the community; people grow in the congregation, then move out of the community.

Sunday mornings we worship together at 10 am. The Book of Alternate Services liturgy is followed. The first and third Sundays are usually Eucharist services, with Morning Prayer being held on the second and fourth Sundays. When there is a fifth Sunday it is usually a family Morning Prayer service, with everyone in attendance. Sunday School is held at the same time as the Sunday service. While adhering to the Anglican Liturgy, services are casual and flexible with an emphasis on modern praise and worship. Every service begins with a time of modern praise and worship. There are many opportunities for lay members to participate in the worship services.

Several small group fellowship/Bible studies are ongoing, including one geared to our youth. We also strive to have other fellowship events on a regular basis. The Alpha program has been run in our Church and community, but is not operating at the present time. We participate in interdenominational events, especially the community Christmas Service. Some of these events are through the Ministerial Association, while other cooperative efforts are primarily between our Church and another Church.

Lay members are active in many areas of our church activities in addition to participating in the worship services, taking ownership and leadership in many aspects of our ministry in Fort Nelson.

Public corporate and individual prayer are an important element of our Parish identity.

We have had the same minister for almost fifteen years. He comes from the evangelical stream of the Anglican tradition. This has shaped the membership and attitudes of our congregation, and allowed the many different backgrounds to blend and enhance rather than clash.

We were challenged to be self supporting many years ago. While it has usually been a struggle, we have met this obligation on a consistent basis. While realizing the importance of keeping the good of what we have, we are committed to looking beyond maintenance. We budget a significant proportion of our financial resources to social and evangelical outreach, including local, within the Diocese and beyond. We are currently supporting a foster child through the Christian Children’s Fund and a missionary family through SAMS.

We do have a New Building Fund, but it is not a current priority. Our efforts are being directed to maintenance of the existing church building and rectory. The rectory, built in 1956 is in fair shape. It has three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs; a kitchen, living room and dining room are on the main floor; two other rooms are in the basement. The rectory has no furnishings worth considering. The church building is in need of more attention. It is a 1930’s or 40’s building which was relocated in the 1960’s. The foundation requires attention, due to drainage problems and resulting damage. The sanctuary has a capacity of 74, with the church basement serving as the Parish Hall. [Sunday School is being held in the Hall and parts of the Rectory.] The Vestry is in the process of identifying and prioritizing the maintenance tasks for both buildings. Natural Gas furnaces are being replaced in both buildings.

In 1996 the parish adopted its “Parish Plan”. Different aspects of the plan have been emphasized or more effectively implemented at various times, but the plan is still felt to be appropriate for us. To view a copy of the plan click here

Additional information may be found at Fort Nelson Parish Profile on Diocesan Site and at http://www.pris.bc.ca/ddt/church.html

Community

Fort Nelson is located at mile 300 on the Alaska Highway. The Northern Rockies Regional District, where Fort Nelson is the only “large” community, is the largest Regional District in the province and has only one main road through it; the Alaska Highway. We are very close to the border of BC, Yukon and Northwest Territories. It has an area population of approximately 6,500. This population has historically been largely young adults and families. The population is changing, seeing people stay in the community longer and more seniors remain. Fort Nelson is a transient community, even with the changing demographics. The community is resource based, forestry and gasfield work being the primary industries. Much of the surrounding area is muskeg, so most work is conducted in the winter after the ground is frozen. Tourism is another important (summer) industry.

We have a wide range of services including: k-12 schools and a community college, hospital & two medical clinics, ice and curling rinks, swimming pool, library, theatre, museum, golf course, recreation centre, bowling alley, two grocery stores, as well as hardware, variety, clothing and other stores. There are many motels and restaurants in the community. The airport has scheduled commercial flights six days a week. There are five churches in the community. More information can be found at http://www.northernrockies.org and in the “So ... you want to find out more about Fort Nelson ... eh?” video.

What we need (are looking for)

Ideally we would like a minister that is:

Ø Flexible

Ø Diplomatic

Ø sensitive to the congregation’s ownership of ministry, yet recognizing areas which could or should be altered

Ø committed to Anglican traditions

Ø possessing a desire to see God’s people using the gifts He has blessed them with

Ø open to God’s purpose in Fort Nelson and an appreciation of St. Mary Magdalene’s achievements in corporate worship

Ø having a missionary’s heart for the local community and the world at large