Russ Daye, our lead minister, is a wandering Bluenoser who has lived on four continents but has called Nova Scotia home again for the last decade. In his 25 years of ministry, he has served churches in Quebec and outport Newfoundland, taught at several theological colleges and universities, worked on peace building in Fiji, written a Ph.D. dissertation on South Africa’s transition to democracy, and recently visited refugee camps and communities in the Middle East. He has been involved with truth and reconciliation processes in Africa, the South Pacific, and Canada. Two of his current avocations are researching church revitalization with the Thriving Christian Communities Project and assisting congregations with renewal as a member of EDGE network of consultants and coaches. His passions include interfaith cooperation, camping in the desert, and pickup games of basketball with his sons, Sam and Will. If you are interested in spiritual exploration or justice seeking that paints outside the lines, he wants to buy you a coffee.
russelldaye@eastlink.ca
Rev. Russell Daye
Lead Minister
Ian Fraser has recently completed 31 years as pastor at St. Columba by-the-Lake Presbyterian Church in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. The congregation is known for its innovative and inclusive ministry, in recent years having founded a fair trade store, created novel worship forms and begun a food ministry. Ian has been active at the national church level as chair of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Record (the church’s national magazine), a counsellor at Guidance Conferences for discerning candidates’ calls to ministry, and as member of the committee that oversees the work of Presbyterian World Service and Development.Ian is married to Catherine Notley, a nurse clinician. Together they have one son, Jake, who is currently trying to qualify to be a teacher.
ianfraser321@gmail.com
Rev. Ian Fraser
Minister of Congregational Development
Susan wants to live in a world where listening, laughing and learning top every To-Do List, where email magically sorts itself, and where books come bundled with extra dark chocolate (and maybe … somehow … a little cup of coffee).As an educator with more than 20 years of experience, Susan’s interests are faith formation and spirituality, compassionate community, and leadership for a changing world. She is amazed by the abundance in self and community, and the many ways it can be brought to light. Susan holds a M. Divinity from Atlantic School of Theology, a M. Arts in Education from McGill University, a B. Education and a B. of Music from University of Western Ontario. She is Minister of Faith Formation and Pastoral Care at Saint Andrew’s United Church.
When not at Saint Andrew’s, and not sorting email, you may find Susan at the Atlantic School of Theology, working on program research and development. Or you may find her at home, listening, laughing and learning with her husband Michael, and their great kids, Simon and Claire.
schisholm@bellaiant.net
Susan Chisholm
Minister of Faith Formation and Pastoral Care
Jazz, R&B, gospel, pipe organ, spirituals, folk, piano improv, traditional church choral settings, global genres…you’ll hear any of these at St. Andrew’s–often more than one in the same service. My music interests are diverse…my teenage sons even have me enjoying, and talking about,hip-hop and rap. My passion is to engage people and bring life to the Gospel through a well-selected text and tune; to encourage everyone to “make a joyful noise” regardless of perceived ability or experience. My Music Ministry has taken me across the country to serve with United Church, Anglican, Presbyterian, Salvation Army congregations. I enjoy collaborating on the music for regional Conferences and being a resource to colleagues, church committees and clergy to develope their music ministry or find solutions to the issues that sometimes arise. Beyond St. Andrew’s I am University Musician at Atlantic School of Theology, and co-music director at St. Luke’s Community Players. In my down time I am a hockey and theatre Dad, with my musician partner and three teenage children.joyfulnoise@eastlink.ca
Kevin Parks
Minister of Music