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Minister shares the lesson of tolerance olerance. It is someâ€" thing the reporter has sometimes taken for granted, partly no doubt, because of her white, middleâ€"class, Canadian staâ€" tus. Last week â€" in a wideâ€"ranging interview with Rev. Bill Brown of Glen Abbey‘s United Church â€" that quality of ‘tolerance‘ was brought into sharper focus. Brown is a shy, unassuming, perâ€" ceptive man with Irish roots, a loveâ€" ly accent, and infectious laugh. He sketched the outlines of his life in broad but telling strokes. In his quiet way, he opened the door to sensitive dialogue over coffee at the local Tim Horton‘s. Not an easy thing to do. He spoke of why he‘d left Ireland nearly 22 years ago; of golden years on the Canadian prairie and a painful divorce; he spoke of his relationships with God, his three daughters and two delightâ€" ful grandsons, and his new wife Nancy. (Relationships are the key, he said). He talked about the past four years in Oakville and of plans for a new church. "It is a fine town," the 50â€"ish cleric commented. "I like Oakville very much. It still has the sense of a small community about it." With a chuckle he added, "You can go downtown and meet someâ€" body you know." LARGE CHURCH PLANNED As for the proposed church, it will accommodate about 450 peoâ€" ple, and will be raised on a nearly five acre site on Nottinghill Gate just below upper Middle Road, he explained. Parishioners in River Oaks will be able to stroll to church across the new Upper Middle Road bridge on sunny Sunday mornings. The church is expected to draw folks from West Oak Trails, as well, and naturally Glen Abbey. Construction is set to begin in the fall. Currently, services are held at Pilgrim Wood Public School for the steadily growing flock of about 140. "The congregation has spent a lot of time in considering the actual shape of the church," the minister said. It will include a large HOME KITS AVAILABLE EU( APRIL 16/93 Christian/Education/administration building, plus a multiâ€"purpose wing for community activities. Architecturally, Brown was vague. "We have a good sense of what the building will be like, though there are a few details still to hammer out." And? "Well, it will be very functional â€" with an eye to tradition," he said coyly. The ample site will also support a separate facility for either senior COMPLETE SATISFACTlON GUARANTEED care, or child daycare, or some other yet to be confirmed communiâ€" ty service. So much for small talk. Bill Brown was born in Northern Ireland and became a Methodist minister there. His parents were churchâ€" going people and his own faith and commitment were established early. _ He explained his ‘call‘ to the ministry, "I think what‘s important in life are relationships. If there is something wrong with your relaâ€" tionships, then your life is going to be â€" out of shape. I think our relaâ€" tionships with God, therefore, are crucial. ' "It was important to me to have that relationship as a ‘reality‘ in my life," the man of the cloth continâ€" ued, "and I believe it is important to others, as well." Later, he will say, "I think the real experience of God‘s presence in your life is a ‘genuine possibility‘ and I believe it makes you a better human being." Brown worked in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland before going to Jamaica for four years and returning once more briefly to the Emerald Isle. It was then that he decided to leave his beautiful but troubled homeland for the wilds of Saskatchewan. "I had a young family," he said, "and I could not see bringing up my Spring Trenchcoats Have Arrived â€"â€"â€" FURRIERS SINCE 1815 â€"â€"â€"â€" piseieenNe 209 Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville EIN STEIN BREW HOUSE WILL ACCEPT ANY OTHER COMPETITORS COUPONS UP TO $25 children in a situation where they would learn bigotry â€" in spite of anything I might do." This was 22 years ago and the ‘trouble‘, ongoing to this day, was well under way. The community was clearly polarized; Catholics versus Protestants, Republicans verâ€" sus Irish Nationalists. "I, myself, was committed to an ecumenical resolution, but with the polarity and open hostility as it was," he continued, "I just couldn‘t (See "Too much . . . ‘ page 4) €661 ‘z tudy ‘KepU4 SMHAN HIMON 111IAMVO â€" PRE BATCH WITH THIS COUPON (NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER SPECIAL) LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER OFF REG. OUTSIDE RETAIL PRICES BEER AND l WINE MAKE YOUR OWN BEER WINE OmA ATLDEPFIFA ANIM *A AVIP" OPEN SUNDAY 11:00â€"3:00 DORVAL NORTH SERVICE Q.E.W. 895BFFRL?3'ZZ) 481 NORTH SERVICE RD. W.