Staff

Minister: Rev. Dr. Ian Manson

e-mail: RevIanManson@gmail.com

Hi there! I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be here at St. Mark’s for the next year, and am most grateful for the opportunity to be part of faith this community. Since arriving on September 2, my wife, Kelly Galbraith (a “west-sider” from Saint John who’s returned home from Ontario), and I have received a warm and gracious welcome, and feel very much at home. As for me, I was raised on a grain farm outside a small town south of Winnipeg. On those winter nights when it was too cold to curl or play hockey, I developed a love of history – which led to two degrees at the University of Manitoba. I then worked for a few years as a political assistant to Liberal Cabinet Minister Lloyd Axworthy before moving to Toronto to study theology. I was ordained and went on to earn a doctorate in the History of Christianity from Emmanuel College in the University of Toronto.

After returning to Manitoba I served two pastoral charges and did some teaching at the University of Winnipeg. Ontario then beckoned again, so I accepted a call to a large suburban church in Toronto. After a nine year stint I was looking for new experiences, so accepted a call to serve a smaller congregation and help them figure out a creative plan for the future. I discovered that I loved this kind of work, so become a designated Intentional Interim Minister who then worked on the staff of Toronto Conference and helped an Etobicoke church heal and unite around a new vision.

Then, in 2019, I moved to New Brunswick to begin a new chapter of life. Over the last five years, I’ve enjoyed helping out at Harmony, Hampton, Gibson Memorial, Forest Hill and Quispamsis United Churches, and have met some great people and learned a lot. I’ve also been doing some on-line teaching for Emmanuel College as a Sessional Lecturer, and have been working on a couple of book manuscripts. I love preaching, teaching, and working with congregations that are keen to define their priorities and develop a clear and sustainable ministry plan for the future.

Kelly and I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, reading, walking our three spaniels, being bemused by our two cats, and (when COVID protocols allow) attending lots of concerts, plays and cultural events. Kelly and I are really happy to be with you, and are looking forward to the months to come here at St. Mark’s!