Lois has always enjoyed being a part of Nelson United Church and has taught Sunday school, helped out in the office, is the treasurer of her UCW group, Caritas, and is one of the leaders for our Youth Group as well as keeping the office organized!

In the beginning there was Gwen and there was Harold. Gwen and Harold spoke and there was Heather and there was David and there was Susan and there was Scott, and they saw that it was good. From Plumas (Manitoba) to Hazelton (BC) to Kenora (Ontario) to Nanaimo (BC), so the Boyds were fruitful and multiplied.

In the fullness of time, David did leave home (Nanaimo) and, blessed by Gwen and Harold, encounter his future. And so it came to pass that, in the course of learning, David met Janet and they began a new life together; and behold it was good. Upon studying and graduating first at UBC and then at Vancouver School of Theology, Janet spoke and David spoke and there was Megan and there was Hamish and there was Iain and there was Alanna. From Vancouver to Matheson (Ontario)-St. Andrew's United Church-to Nelson-Nelson United Church-so a new generation of Boyds was fruitful and multiplied.

And it came to pass that David didst discover a passion for music, for hiking, for biking, for Cross-country skiing, for reading and for camping. And so it was and so it is and so it shall be. Amen.

Christine has been in Nelson since July 1, 2000 and enjoys the challenges and personal growth she is experiencing as part of the ministry team at Nelson United Church.

Christine's vocation in ministry began at mid-life after working for a number of years as a Certified Dental Assistant and then devoting herself to raising two daughters. She grew up in the Lower Mainland area of BC but has also lived for extended periods in the Central Interior and Vancouver Island. Her life experience, parenting, volunteering in church and local community, has contributed greatly to her ability to integrate theological ideals and the challenges of living faithfully in today's world.

She completed her diaconal studies through the Centre for Christian Studies, graduating in the spring of 2000. Nelson United Church is her first ministry placement. Christine believes that ministry is 'faith in action' which is influenced by ongoing discernment of God's intention and inspiration through prayer, theological reflection, the example of Jesus' ministry, and the wisdom of the faith community (past and present). Ministry happens within a community context and seeks to celebrate God's presence, nurture spirituality, and respond to God's call for fullness of life for all. As a community of faith we are called to 'seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly wth our God'.