Multifaith Saskatchewan

Rev. Canon Dr. Colin Clay
1932-2022

Multifaith Saskatchewan is sad to announce the death of one of our founders, the Rev. Canon Dr. Colin Clay on July 6 in Saskatoon. We give thanks for the life and ministry of our friend and colleague. His contributions to interfaith relations in Saskatchewan are unmatched.

A veteran of the Korean war, Colin was ordained priest in 1958 at Southwark Cathedral (London) in the Church of England. He emigrated to Canada in 1959 where he served first in Sudbury and since 1977 in Saskatoon. He later discovered that he was ordained the same day as his great friend, Fr. Bernard de Margerie. Together they were responsible for numerous ecumenical and interfaith projects across Saskatchewan. Colin retired in 2000 from his post as ecumenical chaplain at the University of Saskatchewan, allowing him to become further engaged in his passion for interfaith relations. His long-time leadership in Multifaith Saskatoon led to the proposal to gather other Saskatchewan interfaith groups together into Multifaith Saskatchewan. Colin served as president of MFS and in other capacities for many years.

In addition to his interfaith work, Colin remained an active priest in the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon. He served as president of the former Saskatoon Council of Churches, led numerous social justice projects, and served as chaplain to the Korean War Veterans. His experience in Korea gave him a lifelong commitment to peace.

An obituary has been published by the Saskatoon Funeral Home. The funeral will be on Monday, July 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon. The funeral will also be livestreamed for those not able to attend in person. The link will be placed in the obituary on the day of the service.

At the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, May 29, 2022 the participants elected new representatives for four positions. There continue to be vacancies. The Board is authorized to appoint members to these positions should a candidate become available. The newly elected members for a two-year term (2022-2024) are:

• Vice-President: Liu Lafontaine (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
• Communications: Nicholas Jesson (Roman Catholic) – also Past President
• Southern region: Moses Kanhai (United Church)

Gagan Deep Singh (Sikh) was re-elected as Southern region representative (2021-2023) to fill a vacancy created as Liu Lafontaine becomes Vice-President.

There remain vacancies for President (2022-2024), two Northern region representatives (2021-2023 and 2022-2024), and Treasurer.

Nominations may be sent to Nicholas Jesson (Past President) at njesson@archregina.sk.ca

March 11, 2022 marks the two-year anniversary of the World Health Organization characterizing COVID19 as a pandemic. Mindful of the lasting hardships that have followed, the Canadian Interfaith Conversation (CIC) has developed, An Invitation to Solidarity inviting religious organizations to mark the period March 11-21, 2022 as a Canada-wide period of remembrance and reflection.

Religious institutions are invited to observe 11-21 March 2022 as a Canada-wide period of remembrance and reflection for those claimed by the pandemic, and a time to redouble our pastoral care for those dying and struggling with grief, and for those experiencing hardships and lasting harms from the pandemic and the consequent restrictions. Participating faith communities are invited to:

• commit part of our services during this period to prayer and contemplation on how we can help heal the wounds in our society;
• reflect on our calling to lead by example and to be a witness to the affirmation of the equal dignity of every person;
• commit to living up to our critical role in fostering dialogue, softening hearts, building mutual understanding, and celebrating our shared humanity;
• to join with one another to lift our collective voices to declare that there are no enemies amongst us.

A full copy of the statement can be found at: https://www.interfaithconversation.ca/documents-and-responses