Rev. Murdo Marple, Knox, Calgary, Alberta
Before settling in Calgary, Marple served on several summer mission fields in various provinces, and three different pastoral charges in Nova Scotia. He has been moderator of presbytery and of the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces and is presently clerk of the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod. He has served on a number of presbytery, synod and General Assembly committees including a Rural Ministry Consultation, the Senate of Knox College and Assembly Council. He has been active in areas of social justice including advocacy for refugees as well as being involved in the establishment of a local chapter of KAIROS in Calgary. Ecumenically minded, Marple has always been involved in inter-church relations. He currently serves as president of the Calgary Council of Churches and is a Presbyterian representative on Calgary’s Muslim-Christian Dialogue.
Murdo is married to Marie and they have three daughters, Lesley, Ellen and Janice.
1. What did you think when you found out you were nominated?
“My first reaction to the news was one of surprise mixed with gratitude for the confidence expressed in me by those who put my name forward. Further reflection made me realize that in 35-plus years of ministry there has been much surprise–surprise of what wonders God can do working through people like me. I trust that, if through the nomination and election process, I am called to take on this responsibility that God still has some surprises for me and the Church.”
2. What would you bring to the position?
“Relying on the grace of God and with the support of the Assembly and the wider church, I would offer the experience and knowledge gained from years of ministry working in congregations and in the courts of the church. My experience in many different pastoral situations at the congregational level and beyond would, I believe, serve me well in the role of moderator. My experience in the ecumenical and interfaith realm would be helpful in relationships beyond the denomination.”
3. What would your theme(s) be for your moderatorial year?
“I see myself focusing on celebrating the contributions to ministry of the smaller congregations of the church. I grew up in a small congregation and my congregational ministry to a large extent has been carried out in smaller ministry contexts. We all believe that these faithful communities have something to contribute to the church and we need to find ways to allow them to do so.
“I would also focus on the challenge to be the church in our present conflicted multi-cultural, multi-faith society and world. The extent to which religious misunderstanding and hatred has contributed to and continues to contribute to violence, war and inhumanity greatly saddens me. We need to know who we are as Christians and how we can enter into meaningful dialogue with peoples of other faith expressions so that we can contribute to understanding and resolution of conflict rather than being sometimes the source and cause of the same.”
4. What do you think are the church’s current strengths?
“Some of the strengths I see are:
- congregations that place a high priority on pastoral care of members and adherents.
- an experienced leadership with much wisdom.
- an understanding of who we are as Presbyterians and what we believe.
- a strong commitment to and involvement in ecumenical movement.
Challenges:
- find ways to allow our present leadership to share their wisdom and experience as the church seeks out, develops and involves new leadership.
- to give expression to the wonder and vastness of God’s love, compassion, grace and inclusiveness in our life within the church and our involvement outside the church
- In a church with so much conflict and hurt, how do we care for those who are hurting (ordained and non- ordained leadership at all levels, congregations, members and adherents), providing pastoral care and support that will lead to reconciliation and healing?
- How do we love our multi-faith, multi-cultural neighbors who we don’t know and understand without compromising who we are as followers of Jesus Christ?”
