PRINCE ALBERT — On Oct. 3, eight new members were inducted into the Order of Saskatchewan. Their pictures will be in the December issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican.
They are Opal Harris, John and Noreen Hareuther, Lawrence (posthumously) and Priscilla Joseph, Grant Laird, Ethel Macfie and Elaine Thorne.
Opal Harris was baptized, confirmed and married in St. George’s Church in Prince Albert. After her marriage to Clarence she moved to Briarlea where she was a faithful member of St. Martin’s in Briarlea and St. Andrew’s in Shellbrook until 2013 when she moved to Prince Albert. She is an active participant in both St. David’s and St. George’s churches in P.A.
She has served and continues to serve as the diocesan ACW president, a role she has cherished more than any other. Her leadership in this capacity reflects not only her dedication to the church, but also her deep commitment to encouraging and supporting others in their faith and service. Opal’s life story is one of quiet strength, enduring faith and community service.
Lawrence and Priscilla Joseph were married 57 years ago and had four children: Rick, Sheryl, Trina and Kevin. Their children grew up with the firm admonition that their lives were to be given in service to not only their church of St. Alban’s, but the diocese and their indigenous heritage.
They have given unselfishly of their time, musicianship, organizational skills and mentorship. They have served on the Cathedral Corporation, the diocesan executive committee and other committees for both the cathedral and diocese. Lawrence was a lay reader for decades and Priscilla co-ordinated and worked on fund raisers, in particular St. Alban’s fall suppers.
“Do all things in love” was their guiding principle and Priscilla maintains a schedule of counselling that would exhaust most people.
John Hareuther has been an integral part of St. David’s Church since he moved to Prince Albert in 1977. He has been a lay reader for 44 years and has served on the executive committee of the diocese as well as the finance committee. He has been on specific diocesan project committees and attended many synods.
He knows every nut and bolt in St. David’s Church and he knows where every key is located and all the intricacies of every system, ensuring that the building is in tip top condition. He participates and lead Bible studies, is a long-standing choir member and co-ordinator of the side’s persons. He organizes the Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers and the beef suppers. He is always available to volunteer at all church events.
Noreen Hareuther, like her husband John, is an essential part of St. David’s Church. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years, plus the person who organized and facilitated Vacation Bible School events. She is a regular Bible study leader and has organized the lay readers rotation and schedule for over 40 years.
Outside of her duties at St. David’s, Noreen is the registrar for the Ecclesiastical Province of Northern Lights and worked as Christian Education director in the Synod Office, where she was responsible for the VBS programs for the diocese, the ordering of vestments for the new clergy, and keeping an inventory of vestments and church hardware that was donated to the diocese.
She was also on the matrimonial commission and has served as a synod delegate. Noreen and John have two children and four grandchildren.
Grant Laird’s parents, Gerry and Ed Laird, also recipients of the Order of Saskatchewan, would be proud of their son. After retiring from a 35-year career with SaskPower/SaskEnergy, Grant offered his time and talent to the diocese and St. George’s and St. Alban’s.
A list of “things Grant has fixed” includes repairs to St. Mary’s Church, replacement and repair of grave markers, general project manager for the major diocesan renovations to establish special protected archives storage, office, accessible washroom and meeting area for any Anglican church. Any time there is a current or potential disaster, Grant knows someone who can fix it.
Grant and his second in command, Mike Johnson, cheerfully take care of any issue that needs fixing. Grant and his wife Arlette have four children.
Ethel Macfie was a school teacher at the age of 17, and by the time she was 19, she became active in the ACW in St. George’s Church in Waitville, and when it closed became a member of St. Mary’s, Birch Hills. She was a dedicated secretary-treasurer for St. Savior’s Church and Cemetery for 25 years, as well as a participant on vestry, in the altar guild and in fundraising.
Ethel is an avid reader and her interpretations of readings at Bible studies are insightful, illuminating and thought provoking. At 95, she remains active at St. Mary’s, Birch Hills, attending and contributing to church events. One of her treasured memories is of Bishop Michael and Father Jordan coming down the street in robes to present her and husband Ross with a certificate from the diocese, commemorating their 60th wedding anniversary.
Elaine Thorne was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Church in Nipawin. She attended Sunday school, was a member of Junior Auxiliary, and the Young People’s Group and taught Sunday school as a teen. She left Nipawin to attend university in 1969, and when she returned in 1984, she picked up where she left, off teaching Sunday school, joined the ACW as secretary and president, is now a member of vestry and has been treasurer for the last 10 years.
She sews quilts and maintains an inventory of quilts so that every baptized child receives a quilt to commemorate their special day. She subscribes to the ministry that St. John’s is a family and all members of this family, new and old, are taken care of as family members should be. She serves the Lord faithfully and is always willing to step up to the plate to serve and assist.
