Rev. Marion Barclay MacKay serves St. Andrew’s, Sydney Mines in beautiful Cape Breton, N.S. She started her ministry career in the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod as a diaconal minister and then a minister of word and sacraments, and spent a few years working in Ghana developing the lay training program of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. She’s served on many national committees, was president of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators and moderated both of the presbyteries in which she has served.
During a busy week, she made some time to respond to a few questions to help you get to know her a little better.
Tell me about yourself. How would you describe your faith journey?
I spent the early years of my life in Maple Ridge, B.C., where I was baptized and raised in the congregation of Haney Presbyterian Church. As a youth, I was given opportunities to be involved in leadership roles within the Sunday school and Explorers and these commitments, along with involvement with inter-school Christian fellowship, were a significant part of my faith journey in these years.
As a young adult, I experienced the call of God to deepen my leadership skills for Christian service so I attended Ewart College in Toronto and was designated to the Order of Diaconal Ministries in May 1979.
The years since that time have been filled with a rich variety of ministry experiences including lay leader training, hospital visitation, new church development, camping ministry and support of congregational ministries in Christian education and youth ministries. Along the way God’s hand has guided me to further education in the U.S. and ordination to the ministry of word and sacraments in 1997 following studies at Knox College, Toronto.
A long-standing interest in international mission work and Christian education came to fruition when my husband, the Rev. Dr. Donald W. MacKay and I worked together for the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the training of catechists that served local villages as well as helping to develop this denomination’s vision of lay ministries.
Upon returning to Canada, we were transplanted to the shores of Cape Breton where we both responded to independent calls to serve local congregations within the presbytery. Donald’s hope for ministry was cut short by a diagnosis of cancer and his death in July 2011. I am grateful to continue to serve the congregation of St. Andrew’s, Sydney Mines, since 2009 as well as serve the congregation of St. Andrew’s North River—North Shore, on the Cabot Trail, as its on-going interim moderator.
What would you say is your passion?
As I’ve reflected on the range of experiences and situations that service in the church has brought to me through the years, a recurring theme is the intersection of people, faith and ministry together. For me there is blessing as people gather in Christ’s name and work on some challenge together, or respond to some need in a congregation or the community at large or come to a greater awareness and clarity of faith about God’s presence in their situation in life. It’s a privilege to be a part of this unfolding, even though there are times when this is personally demanding and tough. For me, life itself is a spiritual journey and I often find myself reflecting on the question, “How might I live into the realm of God in this ‘here and now’ moment?” For me, the realm of God is the abundant life that comes to us through Jesus Christ so such a question is humbling, grounding, and provoking given the range of people and life experiences that we face day by day.
What concerns you most?
I have a deep concern that our historic way of organizing and maintaining ourselves as Presbyterian congregations is becoming less and less sustainable and is failing to offer a vitality of faith to people of all ages. Somewhere along the way someone said “Don’t let the rim of your rut become your horizon.” In these times of rapid, multi-layered change too often what is known and familiar to us becomes the substitute for vision and the faithful trusting in God’s Spirit to bring us to a new horizon.
What gives you the most hope?
While the transitions that are required of us in these days may be baffling and sometimes overwhelming, for me there is great hope as people continue to be committed to finding their way of participating in being the hands and feet of Christ in our world today.
Have you put any thought into a theme if you become Moderator?
I haven’t settled on a particular theme or focus at this time…but this doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about this matter!
And is there anything else you would like to add?
A great day in Cape Breton is enjoying its natural beauty of water, rocks and trees; the lively, loyal company of “The Duke of Atherton” (four legs and a tail); and a bowl of delicious seafood chowder in the company of others!
