FACES OF FAITH
Community Profiles at St. Andrew's Church
Nancy Mathewson
1) What is your favourite hymn?
O God Our Help in Ages Past is one. The words sum up the majesty of God and the grace which he bestows on us, through all the ages. Be Thou My Vision is another favorite. Again it speaks of our union with God. There are so many other hymns that at one time or another are very moving and are a joy to sing. I really enjoy singing the hymns in church. Since Will arrived, we have been singing many hymns that were not very familiar, but he ties them in to the Lessons and the sermon.
2) Do you have a favourite passage from the Bible?
One that has been important to me is Ephesians, Chapter 4, especially verses 11-13. Paul is talking about the gifts Christ has given: to some to be apostles, some evangelists, pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. It means that we are all saints and that it is given to all of us to work at building up the body of Christ.
3) What is the best book (biblical or non-biblical) that you have read in the last six months?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. It is a book written from the perspective of an autistic boy and I couldn’t put it down. I’ve also been reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and have just started reading C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, which has been around the house forever, but I just began to acquaint myself with Screwtape and Wormwood. I read a lot of mystery stories and enjoy reading ones set in medieval times.
4) What is your favourite style of music, and what is likely on your stereo / ipod / car radio right now?
I usually listen to CFMX as I enjoy classical music. That is mostly in the car, as I rarely have the radio on at home. I also like jazz and the music of the big bands and singers from the forties and fifties. I just found a CD of the Mills Brothers which is easy listening music. Bob and I used to go to a lot of musical theater and I enjoy that music as well.
5) What is your earliest memory of church?
My earliest memories of church are of Sunday School in the Methodist Church where I grew up. We walked to church every Sunday, and as I got older, sang in the Junior Choir. I didn’t become a Presbyterian until I married a Presbyterian minister.
6) What attracted you to become a part of the St. Andrew's community, and what keeps you here?
As a family, we appreciated the liturgical service, the music and the preaching. Jim Evans was the minister at the time. Bob and I were impressed and appreciative of the way he included our daughter, Kristen, in the conversations. He let her know that she was important, as well as my husband and I. St. Andrew’s has been my church home and family for so many years now. The ministry that we carry out is so important : preaching, bible study, outreach programs. When my husband died the people of St. Andrew’s were there for Kris and me. In the same way, when my son-in-law died, our church family was there to support us, give a hug, a pat on the back. I had the privilege of serving on the Session for several years and felt that was an important part of my service to the church. The best way to say it is that I know that I belong here.
7) What is your greatest hope for St. Andrew's?
My greatest hope and prayer for St. Andrew’s is that we continue to be a beacon for Christ in the heart of Toronto. We have so many good programs and services going. We can always look for new ways to work, to try things, to take seriously Ephesians 4:12. To equip the saints for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body of Christ; that we are all saints, called to do Christ’s work.