Rev. John Gould returns to Straffordville
Posted 2 months ago
Jeff Tribe Photo
Reverend John Gould is returning to an area he has historical connections to, through his grandfather, who was minister at Corinth from 1957 to 1955. The new minister of the Straffordville Pastoral Charge's covenanting service is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22nd at Straffordville United Church, beginning at 7 p.m.
By Jeff Tribe
Staff Writer
Reverend John Gould is looking forward to his return to the 'sunny south.'
"This will be like living in Florida, I think," smiled the Straffordville United Church's new minister earlier this week.
Gould is originally from Sarnia, studied theology at Queen's Theological College in Kingston, Ontario and was ordained in 1977 by London Conference. He has received the Teagle Award for Theological Studies from the Exxon Corporation of New York City and been awarded the Order of Westminster for contributions to church and the community. Gould previously served as a course leader at the Lambton Presbytery Lay Reader's School Day seminars on church growth and revitalization. A published writer and theatre critic for Side Street Review, Gould has also worked as a book concept developer and is a published author on works including modern history.
A world traveler who made official visits to Africa (urban development) and Britain (the publishing industry), Gould has also traveled extensively as a private citizen.
His extensive collection of world flags are flown daily in rotation in front of the manse (9398 Plank Line, Straffordville) and includes the flag of French Antarctica and one of two British Empire of India flags in existence. His wife Natalie is an employee of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, whose area of responsibility extends from the B.C. border t the North Pole and the Quebec border.
His 'call' to service for the Straffordville Pastoral Charge (a two-point charge consisting of Straffordville United Church and St. Paul's of Pt. Burwell/Vienna United Church) was approved March 22nd of this year, culminating a process undertaken by a search committee that began in June, 2007. The ministerial needs of the congregation were filled on an interim and part-time basis until Gould's arrival in July. His covenanting service, and installation, is scheduled for Sunday, November 22nd at Straffordville United Church at 7 p.m.
He previously served for 13 years in Point Edward and for the past five years, at Seaforth. Gould is looking forward to an improvement from the winter conditions in his past charge, as well as a return to familiar ground.
His grandfather (Rev. J.N. Gould) was minister at Corinth from 1947-55, and additionally, his dad's cousin married Dewey Vallee, the former clerk of Bayham.
"So I'm familiar with the area," said Gould. "Of course, in those days, these were all gravel roads down here. Straffordville has grown considerably since the early '50s."
He is also pleased to embrace the annual and ongoing 'Inn On The Otter' event, a locally-written play put on in the church.
"So I guess there is a dramatic bent in the congregation, which kind of struck a chord."
Something of his style and approach may have been illustrated by the fact Gould was wearing the combination of a clerical collar and blue jeans. He prefers a less-formal approach, mentioning his experience of wearing a tuxedo while taking a train to Toronto to attend the Genie Awards a couple of years ago.
"I had the whole end of the passenger car to myself because I think everybody thought they had Count Dracula on the train," he laughed. "I think that's the effect being overdressed can have on people."
As part of that approach, he is hosting bible study sessions at the manse rather than the church, emphasizing a more relaxed atmosphere. Beyond that in a broader sense, he hopes to bring his past education and experiences to bear in serving the needs of his new congregation well.
"It's a question of fulfilling their aspirations so they can be what they want to be and do what they want to do," Gould concluded. "I think anybody coming in with an agenda doesn't last too long in any place – it has to be the people's agenda and the fulfillment of their goals."
