FACES OF FAITH
 

Community Profiles at St. Andrew's Church

Noel Ramsey

1) What is your favorite hymn?

My favorite hymn is Psalm 8: Lord, who may dwell within your house.

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

My favorite passage in Scripture is Matthew 25:31-46 because it is a call for Christians to see the Christ in the least amount of our brothers and sisters - in everyone. I like this passage because it is not only a calling for a higher level of humanity (coupled with Matthew 7:12), but also for a higher level of environmental awareness.  

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

I love Scripture in its entirety. I cannot single one book out and say I like one more than the rest because all the books in the Bible offer so much insight.  Outside of the Bible, there are a number of good books that I have read over the past six months. A few of them are:

1. St. John of the Cross' book called “Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul".

2. Richard Rohr's two books called "Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality" and “Jesus’ Plan for a New World”.

3. Walter Brueggemann's book called "Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy".

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

I have two types of music that I really enjoy: Christian choral music as well as Baroque music.

I also listen a lot to audio sermons that I get off the internet as well as spiritual recordings by Richard Rohr.

5) What is your earliest memory of church?

Oh boy, that is a hard question. Even though my parents raised me with Christian values, (my dad's side of the family being Anglican), my parents didn't attend church. My earliest memory of church is when I visited my aunt's church up in Timmins at Christmas time when I was very young. In Sunday school, I remember being taught the basics of why we celebrate Christmas, followed by some great coloring books. It is moments like these that I will always cherish.

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

What attracted me to become a part of St. Andrew's Church was (and continues to be) the support that it provides for those in need as well as the level of spiritual care that the Church provides. For example, Bible studies are offered on Wednesday and Sunday morning which I have found absolutely great. Opinions/views are given and received without judgment and all possible interpretations are explored. I also find the sermons given on Sunday morning thought provoking and I continually find myself reflecting on them throughout the week.

It is for these reasons, among many others, why I decided to make St. Andrews my home.

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

St. Andrews truly is a living church. It touches the hearts and souls of so many people and it is these people who give the Church its identity in Christ. I pray and hope that God continues to use St Andrews through its outreach programs as well as providing spiritual nourishment to all disciples of Christ.