FACES OF FAITH

Community Profiles at St. Andrew's Church

 

 

Deb Baird

 

1) What is your favourite hymn?

 

I love hymns so I could name many but these are certainly among them: “Spirit of God, descend upon my heart"; "The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord"; "Now thank we all our God"; and my favourite childhood hymn "The wise may bring their learning".  Lots more!

 

2) Do you have a favourite passage from the Bible?

 

Again quite a few come to mind.  Some particular favourites are: (Isaiah 30:15) "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength"; all the passages that Will uses in his benedictions especially "to do justly, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God; to "love God with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding - in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths";and certainly Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20.

 

3) What is the best book (biblical or non-biblical) that you have read in the last six months?

 

"The Lighthousekeeper" by English novelist Jeannette Winterson.  The story is simple and touching and her writing style has a real freshness to it.  The book has stayed with me - many do not.

 

4) What is your favourite style of music, and what is likely on your stereo / ipod / car radio right now?

 

I love classical chamber music, sacred choral music, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, quite a lot of early music, opera arias, and some country and western.  In the car I toggle between 2 CDs - "Grace" by Kathleen Battle and "Bop till you Drop" by Ry Cooder.  Great stuff.

 

5) What is your earliest memory of church?

 

Rushing into the pew at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church ("the Kirk") in St. John's Newfoundland at the age of 4 or so to sit next to my Granny who was wearing her beaver jacket. It's the softest, cosiest surface I've ever snuggled into! And my grandfather gave us butter-rum lifesavers!

 

6) What attracted you to become a part of the St. Andrew's community, and what keeps you here?

 

The congregation.  St. Andrew's people are warm, welcoming to everyone and committed to deepening their understanding and faith through learning and volunteer activities. And the building is beautiful. And of course the music.   A joy. 

 

7) What is your greatest hope for St. Andrew's?

 

To become for many others the home/sanctuary/resource it has become for me (see #6 above!)