September 23, the day before her birthday (don’t ask), the Rev. Lilian Elliott was saluted by her congregation and fellow clergy for thirteen years as deacon at St. Margaret of Scotland. Initially announced as a retirement party, it became instead a celebration, when the North Burnaby parish asked Deacon Lilian if she would continue her ministry among them, and she agreed.
Although officially retired, Lilian will continue with parish and pastoral work.While her pre-ordination professional career was in early childhood education, she says, “I’m called now to work with seniors.” The celebration was attended by the congregations of both St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Stephen the Martyr, and present in addition to the resident clergy, the Rev. Paul Bowie and the Rev. Michael Chin, were priests Jeanette Stigger and Doug Dittrich and
deacons Trudi Shaw and Marion Grove. Among the tributes offered was a hymn written by St. Margaret chorister Tony Pellett, based on Proverbs’ “Alphabetic Poem on the Perfect Wife”--”She is far beyond the price of pearls.”
Lilian and Earl, her kayak adventurer husband, were soon to leave for a Southern California holiday, but before that, she was back at Sunday services at St. Margaret of Scotland. “Look,” she said, “it’s me. Same place, same clothes. Not done yet.”
Images: Top and Homepage, Lilian and Earl Elliott with Jan Spilman, widow of Lilian's mentor The Reverend Derrick Spilman,
Below, Lilian receives flowers and praise from St. Margaret's of Scotland wardens, David Nash and Teri Hazelton.
PHOTOS: Susan Foulds