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
As an educator, minister and lover of life, Susan has lived and worked in the Arctic, East Africa, and Central and Eastern Canada. She is continually amazed by the abundance in self and community, and the many and diverse ways it comes to light. Her joy in St. Andrew’s is its concern with real world engagement. Matters of spirit and faith are held with pressing human concerns: of the heart, the household, the community, the planet … What we explore here helps us all to bear more gracefully the realities and responsibilities of being human.
Susan has been involved in the healing work of reconciliation, and is committed to new and open pathways. She has particular interest in the sacred lives and spirituality of those living with illness, dementia, loss, and grief. AND she has a life-long, never-ending heart space for children and youth. She knows they fulsomely contribute to the life, spirit, and mission of any vibrant community – the St. Andrew’s community especially – and we can help them to find belonging and grounding that truly helps as they face life’s changes and challenges.
Susan’s own family is growing and changing, each in their own way. So much to explore … to share … to live with grace.
schisholm@bellaliant.net
Rev. Susan Chisholm
Minister
Jazz, R&B, gospel, pipe organ, spirituals, folk, piano improv, traditional church choral settings, global genres…you’ll hear Kevin Parks playing any of these at St. Andrew’s–often blending multiple styles in the same service. Kevin’s music interests are diverse…his three teenagers even have him enjoying, and talking about, hip-hop and rap. Kevin’s 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. Music ministry has taken him across the country to serve in United Church, Anglican, Presbyterian and Salvation Army congregations, and as a leader in regional conferences and events. Kevin is a resource to musician colleagues, church committees and clergy to develop their music ministry or offer best practices related to employment of church musicians, collegial relationships between clergy, musicians and lay leadership, as well as copyright and intellectual property rights in the church. Beyond St. Andrew’s, Kevin is the University Musician at Atlantic School of Theology, and co-music director at St. Luke’s Community Players.joyfulnoise@eastlink.ca
Kevin Parks
Minister of Music