Parishioners at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Ottawa bid a fond farewell to the Rev. Julian Campbell at a gathering in the parish hall following his final service as their Incumbent on Jan. 12. He was leaving later that week to take on new roles as Rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wichita, Kansas and as co-chair of the social justice task force for the Diocese of Kansas.
Campbell is from the Bahamas, and he reminisced about the shock of arriving in Canada in the middle of winter when the snow was up to his knees.
Michael Perkin, stewardship co-ordinator for St. Mark’s, offered words of thanks on behalf of the parish. He praised Campbell’s ability to navigate his way in a new parish, in a new country, and just four months later, in a global pandemic. “What a way to begin a ministry,” he said. “Fr. Julian and the dedicated team quickly initiated a YouTube ministry that took us through services and a celebration of virtual Holy Week and Easter. YouTube led to live streaming,” which Perkin noted continues and has brought viewers for services from the Bahamas, the United States, Great Britain and beyond.”
Among the highlights of Campbell’s time in the parish, Perkin mentioned renewals of pastoral visits and the pastoral care team, a focus on youth participation in services, outreach to students at Carleton University and lots of hard work to make the church’s 75th anniversary celebrations memorable.
Campbell played a key role in diocesan anti-racism efforts. St. Mark’s has planned and hosted many impactful Black History Month events during Campbell’s tenure, and the parish was known for hosting excellent celebrations after those events enhanced by delicious food and sweets from the Caribbean, music and dancing.
The High Commissioner of the Bahamas to Canada, V. Alfred Grey, spoke at those events and attended the farewell service. He thanked Campbell for being a wise advisor and friend to him in Canada.
Campbell thanked the parish and said he felt “honored by the kindness you have shown … over the years, but also particularly on this Sunday.” He asked for their prayers as he embarked on this new journey and promised to continue to pray for St. Mark’s.
Hamilton Hall, Hawkesbury — Stormont Deanery