The Reverend Canon Steve Harnadek
“You are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God’s own people,
in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.”
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
“What an exciting place this is!” is a sentiment I often feel, both when I am in Corunna and in Sarnia; in worship, fellowship and even during meetings. I have discovered this Parish to be a place where people want to be, not out of a sense of duty, but because we delight in one another and in what the Lord is doing in our midst. “What’s God got for us next?” is often a question that runs through my mind.
We are blessed to be a Parish with strong leaders who are earnest in seeking out and following God’s will. It is a blessing to be with people who live out their baptism vows by using the gifts that God has given them for the benefit of the people of God, both in the parish and beyond. I see this vividly when people step forward and offer themselves for ministry, whether it’s to visit a home bound parishioner, to assist in the leading of worship, to join the Choir, to feed the hungry at our local food bank, or to help lead us in some specific task.
It is often said that 3 characteristics of a healthy Parish include inspiring worship, regardless of rites or books; having fun together, mixing with folks rather than staying in our little clique; and, finally, handling conflict well, which is also a hallmark of our Parish.“Thy will be done” supersedes “my will be done.”
So, what’s God got for us next? Together, we’ll find out, as we journey together in the faith we share in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Your brother in Christ,
Steve Harnadek,
Rector, AllSaints’ Sarnia-Corunna
Mr Larry Pajuk, Organist
Larry Pajuk began studying piano at the age of nine, with Louise Pearce (Chilton), in London, Ontario. In 1958, he won the University of Western Ontario second place silver medal for Grade 9 piano, in Ontario. He commenced organ studies initially with Edward Daly, Ed Hysen, William Wickett, and lastly with Gordon Atkinson, and became second assistant organist at St. James Westminster Anglican Church in London, Ontario. Under Gordon Atkinson’s tutelage, Larry won 3 consecutive annual Kiwanis Music Festival scholarships for organ studies.
He was organist/choir director at St. George’s Presbyterian Church, London, Ontario for 9 months, organist/choir director at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Byron, Ontario for 6 1/2 years, organist/choir director at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, London, Ontario for for 4 1/2 years, and then All Saints’ Anglican Church, London, Ontario for 16 years before moving to Sarnia.
He became assistant organist at Canon Davis Memorial Anglican Church, Sarnia, Ontario, and then organist/choir director for 12 years before accepting a position of organist/choir director at St. George’s Anglican Church here in Sarnia. St. George’s amalgamated with St. John’s Anglican Church, and with Christ Anglican Church, Corunna, and as of February 2011, the three parishes became one as All Saint’s Anglican Parish. St. John’s has subsequently closed, and Larry is currently playing as senior organist/choir director (in more ways than one!) at All Saint’s Anglican Church.
Mrs Valerie Garant, Secretary
I grew up associated with the Canadian Military. My father was in the Canadian Armed Forces, and as a result we moved around a lot. (Edmonton, Whitehorse, Victoria & Chilliwack.) I consider myself very lucky as I was able to live and grow up in The Blackforest – Lahr, Germany. I spent 17 years there in total. I also married into the Canadian Military. Still moving around (Comox, Kingston, Vancouver, Calgary & Ottawa) we were then moved to Mons, Belgium, where we spent 4 years. I am truly blessed to have had that opportunity. We returned to Sarnia upon retirement. My spouse is retired from the Canadian Military and I call this my pre-retirement job. (smile) Monday to Friday mornings. I started working here in June 2007. This is one of my favorite jobs. I work with and for many wonderful people. It is a pleasure coming in to work every morning.