Ladner United Church

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Greetings

Minister Emeritus Cliff McMurtry

I am Ladner United’s Minister Emeritus.

 

This means I am retired from paid ministry and have been bestowed this title and honour because of merit discerned by this congregation for the skills I have offered during my years of ordained ministry.

 

I have been invited to serve God, and witness to Christ’s call to care for those in need through this congregation. I do this by voluntarily visiting those who are isolated, or lonely, sick, hospitalized, and those in their senior years, including other retired clergy. I am part of the ministry of Ladner United in this role by visiting on my own initiative, visiting by request, and with permission, visiting those who are recommended to me for care.

 

I visit with people in their homes, hospital, or care facilities. I offer a listening ear and heart. I have offered communion to those who cannot attend worship services, I pray with people as is welcomed, and I journey with people as they live through life’s good and difficult times.

 

I meet with the other staff of Ladner United so that cares, concerns and up-dates on pastoral needs can be held amongst us, including with Rev. Jim Short and our parish nurse.

 

I am married to my beloved Betty, and we have lived in Delta for the past ten years. Recently (summer 2009) Betty and I celebrated 60 years of marriage. We have four children; Ruth and son-in-law Malcolm, Rev. Joan McMurtry , James (sadly now deceased), Robert and daughter-in-law Lynn. We are grandparents to Michael, Kristine and Timothy. Our family is very dear to us and a blessing.

I was firstly educated in Teachers Training, then went back to studies at the University of Saskatchewan, next onto St. Andrews Theological College, after which I was ordained in 1949. Since then I have taken further training at the Institute of Family Relations for Counselling in California, and in Toronto I trained for working and supporting a ministry with socially disadvantaged people, applying these skills in several communities throughout my years in ministry.

Vocationally, after teaching briefly in Northern Saskatchewan, I accepted the call into ordained ministry. I served Pastoral Charges in; Radville Saskatchewan, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, from whence I retired in 1988. I have served on local and national committees of the United Church of Canada.

I was granted a Doctorate of Ministry in 1988 from St. Andrew’s College for my concern and ministry work in support of the marginalized people of God.

My interests include; good conversations, curling, reading, lawn bowling, a hot cup of refreshment, and taking a wee nap in the afternoon.