Robin Ruder Celiz says he already feels like its home.
The new reverend at All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner has been on the job since November. He was formerly at St. Martins in North Vancouver.
Celiz took over from interim reverend Liz Hamel and the last permanent rector Elizabeth Northcott.
His wife Liz is a priest in Vancouver and they have two daughters, aged 10 and eight. They live in Marpole.
Celiz was ordained in 2009 with his first job at Christ Church Creston.
“We lived in Castlegar, so I had the hour-and-a-half commute over two mountain passes to get to work,” he recalled. “Certainly I think this community [South Delta] as a whole has that village feel about it and had an appeal to me, but also the church community in terms of their programs and the goals that they want to achieve was also an appeal and seemed to be a good fit.”
He said one goal that is an emerging priority is the food ministry.
“Feeding God’s people essentially,” he said. “We just completed an expansion and renovation of our kitchen, so now it’s finding ways to market that – letting the community know that these facilities and this resource is available. We want the community to know that this is for the community and to be used by the community.”
Celiz said the congregation has been very welcoming.
“Certainly while it is a senior congregation there is a lot of energy, so that has a great appeal, people willing to try different things, explore different ideas, so a sense that nothing has to stay the same. That has been refreshing to see,” he said.
“Another goal and project is Messy Church, which is once a month on a Saturday. That is very successful and it has great support from the church membership. It’s of great appeal to younger families and their kids. It’s just another way to engage.”
Messy Church offers families a chance to engage in church activities through play, including crafts, cookie decorating, a shared meal and time for prayer and worship.
“This is a great community, great fellowship and great people,” he said.
