CORNER BROOK Rev. Myles Vardy is now heading up the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference of the United Church of Canada.
The minister at First United Church was promoted to the position of president of the conference last Sunday
The president’s position is actually part of a three-year commitment that started for Vardy last year when he was named president-elect.
His term as president will take him into next spring when he’ll move into the position of past-president and that term will end in the spring of 2014.
The president’s position is the highest position in the church in this province and usually goes to someone with considerable experience in church.
Other than a period of internship in Ontario, Vardy, who is orignally from of Port aux Basques, has spent all his time ministering in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He has led churchs in Glovertown, Topsail and St. John’s and worked in institutional ministry in St. John’s.
In July he’ll mark his second anniversary at First United.
So with 23 years in the church, Vardy said he was only too willing to take on the role when his name was put forth for nomination.
“I felt that I wanted to give back to the church and to offer some of what my gifts and skills bring to the church through this role.”
Vardy said he felt supported by the church in taking on the role.
As president, Vardy will be responsible for convening and chairing meetings of the conference’s executive and sub-executive.
“And deal with all issues, and concerns and things that come before that church court.”
To carry out the duties of president Vardy has taken a leave of absence as chair of the conference’s pastoral oversight committee.
This will free up time to focus on his duties as president while still looking after the needs of First United.
Like most other churches, the United Church is facing many challenges, among them recruitment.
Vardy said many members of the clergy are now in the 50 plus age bracket and the church is facing a tremendous challenge in that it is becoming more and more expensive to study in university.
He said the church does have a program to help people continue to work while they study
“But that takes a different kind of commitment and bigger commitment, especially if you have a family.”
He also finds a spiritual issue out there as well.
“I find that people today are too busy, glued to their blueberries and their Blackberries.”
Even in worship they are “slaves” to it and can’t shut them off.
But he said there are still a lot of things to celebrate.
Today he’ll be in Norris Arm North attending celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of a United Church congregation there.
