A Covenanting Service for Rev. Andrea Brennan and the congregation of Knox UC was held on September 29th, 2019.
Rev. Kathy Davies, our Regional Minister for Pacific Mountain Region and Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton, Anglican Bishop for the Diocese of Kootenays attended.
Rev. Andrea is the current priest at Christ Church Anglican in Fernie. With this call to Knox United, she will minister to both congregations. This is a partnership in Shared Ministry as both congregations will continue in their respective churches, Rev. Andrea becomes the “common denominator.”
“My name is Andrea and I’m new here.” With these words Rev. Andrea Brennan, minister of Christ Church Anglican cheerfully greeted the congregation of Knox United Church, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street on Sunday, September 1st.
Rev. Brennan’s declaration was met with a hearty round of applause and welcome. In a later statement she added, “Today we are created anew! Thanks be to God!”
“This the official start for a shared ministry between Christ Church Anglican and Knox United Church in which they will share an ordained minister and offer worship, pastoral care, spiritual education and outreach to the wider community. We are excited to get started!”
Knox members and adherents are delighted to have Brennan at the reins of Knox United Church after years of concern about the future of their church. A slowly dwindling congregation in Knox United Church even meant having a part-time minister was becoming a challenge. What would they do as a congregation? What would happen with the century-old church?
Along similar lines, members of Christ Church Anglican had been praying about how to continue to provide Brennan, who arrived at Christ Church in February 2016, with a full-time position into the foreseeable future. Potential answers began to take shape in 2018 when talks within each church and between committees representing both churches began. In June, a vote by secret ballot simultaneously by Knox United Church and Christ Church Anglican resulted in support for the two churches entering into a shared ministry and that Rev Brennan should be offered the position as she subsequently did.
“We are excited to see where God will lead us next,” said Catherine Ripley, Warden at Christ Church, “and how, supporting each other, our congregations can more deeply love and serve the community.”
Evelyn Cutts, chair for Knox United and chair of the newly formed Joint Committee said: “It’s an exciting time for both congregations as we continue to offer places of worship, fellowship and community outreach. We are fortunate to have Rev. Andrea Brennan serving both congregations and we look forward to exploring new possibilities for both congregations as we work together. We invite all to come and join us.”
Rev. Brennan reminded people that times of Sunday services for both churches are changed: 9:00 a.m. at Christ Church Anglican and 11:00 a.m. at Knox United Church. “Please come and join us, we’d love to have you!” she said.