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^ Orono Weekly llmea. Wednesday. March 8, 2000 - 3 Ji The Russell's are by Myno Van Dyke Recently, Rev. Dr. Mervyn Russell, minister of the Orono and Kirby United Churches, announced that he and his wife Patricia would be leaving leaving as of June 30, 2000. The hard-working couple have been here in Orono, residing at the church manse for the past seven years, Mervyn was born in Plymouth, Devonshire, England at the Royal Naval Maternity Hospital. His father was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy. Petty Officer Russell was killed in action in 1941 when his ship was torpedoed near the coast of Françe. Mervyn was raised in the town of Eastbourne which is located south of London. Whefi he was just 16 years old, he went to Brighton and began an architect's course there, eventually becoming an architectural draftsman working for a magazine magazine called "The Architect's Journal." Mervyn always had an interest in ministering and in 1962, while still working working for the Architect's Journal, he started taking his Lay Preacher exams. Eventually, he went to Handsworth Theological School and Birmingham University where he received his degree. He then went to New York City to a Theological Seminary for a year before returning back to England. In England he began employment employment as a minister with the - Methodist Church in the County of Kent, looking after four country churches in the Maidstone Circuit. His next- move was to the Surrey community community of Bagshot, which was a training area for the British Army. Here he ministered ministered to church members and served as a civilian army chaplain. "It was quite a challenge, challenge, since many of the army soldiers were there to further their education in the nursing field and had no real interest in the military end of it." Mervyn said. "I had to do a lot of counseling with them." His next move was to Scotland, where he had the privilege of ministering to a single congregation at Reading Muirhead. After four years there he returned to the United States and went to the Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C.to complete his Doctor of Ministry degree. While studying there, he lived in the hills of West Virginia, ministering to five United. Methodist Church congregations congregations in the Eastern Panhandle area. Mervyn had visited Canada oil several occasions and eventually accepted a job with the United Church of Canada at Lion's Head on the Bruce Peninsula. From here, he went to a Charge at Binbrook, south of Hamilton, and then to Paisley, Ontario. Ten years ago, Mervyn met and married Patricia. Patricia's father was the famous Eric Liddell. The movie "Chariot's of Fire" is based on his life. Liddell, who was from Scotland, was to represent his country at the 1924 Paris Olympics, running in the 100-metre race. When he discovered that this race was to be held on a Sunday, he pulled out and switched to the 400-metre race which was on a different day. Even though he had not trained for the 400- metre, he won the gold medal. He also won the bronze medal in the 200- metre race. After graduating from university, he went to China and served there as a missionary from 1925 to 1943. In 1932, Liddell married married Florence McKenzie, who was of Canadian heritage. In 1941, the British government became quite concerned over the potential dangers in China and advised all British Nationals to leave. Florence and her three daughters left for Canada, hi 1945, Eric Liddell died in China. Patricia has three sons by a previous marriage, Allan, Steven and Michael, who all live in the Hamilton area. Mervyn has two children from a previous marriage. Luke, resides in Toronto and works for Bell Canada and Catherine, who is in her second second year at Emmanual in Toronto is training for. the Ministry. Mervyn has been actively involved in our community. He chaired the Aids Committee of Durham from 1994 to 1997 and participated in the Ontario Aids Network. He was also very active with the Durham Child Poverty Task Force and was one of the founders of the Orono and District Community Association. These endeavors, endeavors, along with the various church ■ committees kept Mervyn very busy for his stay here. Mervyn and Patricia have, been very impressed with the people in Orono and Kirby as well as the facilities they worked and lived in. "The Orono Church building is the most beautiful I have ever worked in." Mervyn said. "The people here are very committed to maintaining the facility they have. They take very good care of everything here. It is a well looked after community. Wc got to know a good number of people, it's nice to walk down to the post office or the store to get the paper because you always meet someone to talk to., It is a very personal place." Presently, the Russells are hoping to obtain employment with the Division of World Outreach of the United Church of Canada. They are hoping for a posting in the Carribean. Mervyn and Patricia have enjoyed their stay here and the community has appreciated them. Presently, some members of the Orono and Kirby' United Churches are involved in a committee to search for a replacement minister. Their first objective is' to find out what the church members and the community needs and wants in a minister. Any input from the community would be appreciated. Soon, a survey will be sent out to the members and the community will also be canvassed for input. If you would like a survey survey to fill out please contact Myno Van Dyke at 987-5482.. SUBSCRIBE TO THE ORONO WEEKLY TIMES $25.00 St Saviour's Anglican Church MILL ST.. ORONO, ONTARIO Rev. David R. Saunders, CD 983-5594 • 987-2019 Sunday Service, Sunday School & Youth Group 9:30 a.m. 1st & 3rd Sunday of Month HOLY COMMUNION 2nd & 4th Sunday MORNING PRAYER We'd like to wish Kristina Matchett a happy 11 th birthday on March 10, 2000. Love from fa mily & friends WHO ARE THE DRIVERS MOST LIKELY TO SPEED IN FRONT OF ROAD WATCH 0 YOUR HOME? Mom and Dad from down the street. ORONO PASTORAL CHARGE Minister Rev. Mervyn Russell Church Office 983-5502 SUNDAY SERVICES Kirby United Church at 9:30 a.m. Orono United Church 11:00 a.m. "Wheelchair Access" ***** » Sunday School Classes and Nursery facilities available during Church Services ***** * A.A. meets every Thursday 7:30 p.m. School was never like thisf REGISTER NOW CENTRE FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDIES Adult & Alternative High School Registration Continues • Computers • Grade 12 • Flex Hours • Classes or Self Direct A KAWARTMA PINE RIDGE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD g#iUE§P Tea Room" ® Wedding Cakes » Cakes for all Occasions • Pastries - Donuts - Pies * Bread & Buns Closed Sunday & Monday Proprietors: Gary & Carol Vreeker Maim Street, Orono 983-9779