Photo: Jean-Daniel Ó Donnċaḋa 2015 04
Photo: © L. E. Moir 2015 03
Funeral Service of Rev. Doug Stewart
(October 28, 2024)
It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing news that our friend and colleague,
The Reverend Douglas Allan Stewart (1950-2024)
has been called home to the spirit world on 22 October 2024
Born and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Doug attended St. Francis Xavier University and graduated with a B.A. in history and political science in 1976. He then went to the Atlantic School of Theology and was ordained in 1979 by the Maritime Conference.
Upon ordination, Doug’s first church, his “settlement charge” was High Level United Ecumenical Church, in Peace River Presbytery, located in Alberta, very close to the Yukon and Northwest Territories borders. The congregation was ecumenical in that it had United Church, Lutheran, Anglican and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians all worshiping in the same church. He also did some flying to remote villages with L.A.M.P. (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots). That was a unique and wonderful experience.
In 1983 he was called to a shared ministry (Anglican-United) in Shawinigan-Grand-Mère Québec. For the next five years he worked in both the Québec-Sherbrooke Presbytery and the Diocese of Québec. That too was a great experience, and made him so aware that by working together with other denominations the churches are much stronger.
In 1988 he was called to Valois United Church in Pointe-Claire, Québec where he served for 18 years. He delighted in the activities and many gifts that the faith community brought forth: the Sunday School; the Christmas pageants; the many dinners and gala events; and the bazaars hosted by dedicated teams of members.
In 2007 Doug joined the Montréal and Ottawa Conference staff team as Conference Personnel minister for the Québec part of the Conference. He shared his various experiences and dealt with church policies in whole new ways. We had wonderful theological discussions over lunch, and he never hesitated to get involved helping to load plants and props for meetings, or wash dishes after.
For 8 years he encouraged ministry students, from the entry level at Conference Interview Board, through internship and finally to Commissioning and Ordination. He also assisted churches through some very stressful situations. Doug said, “Being present to ministers and congregations as they go through some very tough times in their lives, that too was a privilege.”
Doug was gentle and caring, and he ministered with warmth and sensitivity, as well as great humour. His ministry was appreciated by all. He was a Volunteer Associate Minister at St. James United Church (Montréal, Québec), taking on these extra activities and services for the joy in presiding at worship. Worship remained a passion for Doug, as did any opportunity to wear vestments.
As much as he loved life’s calling to ministry, Doug missed his home and his family, so in 2015 he chose to retire and move back to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. For 9 years he has been able to gather for holiday celebrations, to read, to walk the beach, to volunteer with local churches, and to provide pastoral care at the hospital and attend the university as an alumnus.
Rev. Peter Smith of St James United Church in Antigonish shared: “Doug always spoke fondly of his colleagues and congregations in Québec and treasured you all.”
He had already left Montréal, but now he has truly left us. Left us to cherish our memories with deep appreciation for all the love he shared, and the joy he found from his world travels, cruising every ocean possible, and cherishing his friendships.
At home in Nova Scotia Doug leaves many family members to mourn his death.
The funeral home website, showing his family’s obituary for Doug, is: https://macisaacs.ca/tribute/details/744/Reverend-Douglas-Stewart/obituary.html. Messages of condolence may be sent to info@macisaacs.ca or sent to St. James United Church (Antigonish) office@stjamesuc.com and the family will receive them promptly.
The funeral service was on Monday 28 October 2024 at St. James United Church, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
The recording of the funeral service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq6CF6K–qI
Donations in Doug’s memory may be made to:
Palliative Care Unit
St. Martha’s Regional Hospital
25 Bay Street,
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
B2G 2G4
OR
St. James United Church
197 Main Street
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
B2G 2B9
May he rest in peace!
For Nakonha:ka Regional Council
Respectfully submitted,
The Reverend Rosemary Lambie