Towards a more inclusive church setting
As the new minister of Gale Presbyterian in Elmira, Rev. Reuben St. Louis looks to build links with the community
AFTER AN EIGHT MONTH SEARCH GALE
Presbyterian has found its new minister. Rev. Reuben St. Louis started his new role at the Elmira church on March 1. He replaces Rev. Scott Sinclair, who retired last year.
St. Louis previously served as minister at the Nassagaweya Presbyterian church in Campbellville and as youth pastor working with the church’s national youth program.
“I’ve really learned the importance of living in the community when it comes to ministry, especially church ministry. When I was back in Campbellville, integrating into the community was important,” St. Louis said.
“I really see the church’s ministry is not just about the people inside the walls of the church, but very much connecting with the people. And my model of ministry is to be involved in the community. I think the mission of the church is not just one of faith, but of creating communities that are abundant, meaning to keep a strong network of people and be supportive so that when a crisis comes to that community, we have the resources and the strength to get through. I think churches are part of that fabric of creating strong communities,” he said.
It was that sense of community that made coming to Elmira a good fit for St. Louis and his family.
“We love small towns. I grew up in a small town my whole life, so I feel very comfortable in Elmira. But there’s a lovely thing about smalltown sensibilities and the people that make up those small-town communities which we love,” St. Louis said.
Kim Denstedt, who was part of the selection committee to find a new minister, explained that Gale sought someone who could help keep the church in an active role in the community.
“Reuben’s leadership in youth ministry at a national level, and church camp, and strong relationships he had with members in his last church…were all important factors,” Denstedt said.
Gale is also looking to play a bigger role in the community and partner with other organizations, St. Louis said.
“Gale is a wonderful faith community here. They work with the other faith communities in the area, which I think is important too. So because of the partnerships and working together to make Elmira a wonderful place to live and to grow and to be a community.”
Coming to Gale also presents opportunities for a hybrid ministry, St. Louis explained.
“Many churches are moving to models where you don’t have to be physically present to connect with the community, the faith community. And so our worship is livestreamed right now and also in person. I’ve really enjoyed the creativity that comes with this new world of hybrid ministry. My previous church, we didn’t skip a beat – we were in the church one Sunday, the pandemic happened and the next Sunday we were on Zoom,” he said.
For nearly two years St Louis has run the YouTube channel Camp Song Sing-a-long where he sings and teaches songs from Camp Kintail, a Goderich-area summer camp with which he’s