Rector of St. John's Sardis Announces Retirement

In an October 30th letter sent to the congregation and posted on the parish website and Facebook page the Venerable Alan Carson announced his intention to retire after 30 years of full time ministry. During that time he has been rector of four parishes including St. Cuthbert, Delta in the Diocese of New Westminster. Al also served as Archdeacon of Lougheed for seven years.

Here is the letter:

This morning I made a very difficult announcement at the end of the service. I announced that I will be retiring from full time ministry and as Rector of St. John’s Tuesday January 31, 2023. My last Sunday in the Parish will be Sunday January 29, 2023. I am in my 9th year as rector in this parish and it has been an absolute joy and privilege to share ministry with you all. This has been a difficult decision because I love being part of this parish - but it is time. This is the fourth parish I have been rector of over the last 30 years. I am thankful that the Lord saved the best for the last for me. I am excited for you all and the future that is before you. May we all make the fullness of this prayer for the church found in the letter to the Ephesians our prayer as we move forward.

"I pray that according to the riches of God’s glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through the Holy Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have power to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breath and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses all understanding so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Glory to God whose power working is us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, (and from Rector to Rector) in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21)

Please keep Al, his family and the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Sardis in your prayers as they enter this new phase of ministry.