Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care

02/08/2021

Listen, learn, share, act

Reverend Richard Preston (1790-1861):

In the days of slavery, black people rarely had a chance to express their religion in church. The only time they could congregate was at funerals and other rare situations. The singing hymns was secretly telling slaves when and where to meet. For most slaves, their religion was the greatest strength but they would never get the chance to express themselves fully because of their limitations.

One of these hopefuls was Richard Preston who was driven by love to escape the plantation he had worked on, and find his mother who had headed north to Canada and freedom. Arriving in Nova Scotia, he made his way to Preston, a popular black settlement. On arrival, he sought shelter by knocking on a door. His mother who recognized his long departed son by a scar on his face, unexpectedly opened the door.

He took advantage of his freedom and joined Father Burton’s congregation in Halifax. Before long his ability to lead was recognized. He was invited to study theology in England, did so and returned in 1832. In the same year, he organized the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, and in remaining years he established churches in every county from Yarmouth to Halifax. His climax was in 1854 in Granville Mountain, when he met other church leaders and developed the African Baptist Association of Nova Scotia.

Along with his church related accomplishments, he also served in the forces to help abolish slavery. He was devoted to his work and attended many debates regarding the subject. Unfortunately he was never able to see his dream of a free land.

To establish the churches he received help from the Nova Scotia government and other church organizations in Nova Scotia. With this financial assistance he was able to establish 11 Baptist Churches in Nova Scotia including Hammonds Plains’ own Emmanuel Baptist Church on Pockwock Road in Pockwock, Nova Scotia. He encouraged church members to make changes for their lives and stop unnecessary treatment.

His ministry inspired black people to look beyond the hate and brutality of racism. Richard Preston played a large role in the shaping of many black communities and will always be remembered for his great contribution.

Source: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/phillie/InternationalExchange/Canada/black_nova_scotians.htm
Photo by Henry Bishop

02/01/2021

Please consider this as a way to support a just distribution of the vaccine

After a year like no other – a year that was consumed by a pandemic that took 2.15 million lives to date, the world is hopeful about the release of the COVID-19 vaccine. Countries like Canada, a developed country, are fortunate to have had access to vaccines. Front-line, health-care workers, long-term care staff and residents and some Indigenous populations have already received or are in line for inoculation in the first quarter of 2021.
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However, low-income countries struggle to obtain these vaccines – even for health care workers and other high-risk individuals.
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The disproportionate access to a medical solution that could help save lives is an injustice. CBM’s vision is to see a broken world made new, through caring for the world’s most vulnerable people. We stand against inequality, inequity and injustice.
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As a response to this issue, we are joining Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and supporting its call for equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Find out more here: https://www.baptistworld.org/petition-for-equitable-distribution-of-vaccines/

01/23/2021

ADC Alumnus Mark Archibald interviews ADC Alumna Anna Braun about life and ministry at Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

Anna shares losses, adjustments and highlights in her life and ministry at Lethbridge Correctional Centre. At the end of the video she gives a tour of the c...

05/02/2020

Two chaplains in health care in conversation about anxiety

Pandemic anxiety is ripe with a new awareness of the essentials of life... if only it didn't also freak us out so much! I chat with my good friend and gifted...

05/01/2020

Part of the many faithful CAF chaplains.

04/22/2020

04/16/2020

Sometimes Flesh Matters - The Importance of Embodiment. Check out the Spring 2020 edition of the ADC Today Magazine for great articles, news and photos.

http://ow.ly/vXfw50yXZsT

03/30/2020

We continue to pray and to be seen as part of God’s answer to prayer. Please keep praying for our chaplains in the region and beyond. Prayers for their physical, mental, and emotional health and healing are needed normally but more significantly during times of crisis. Prayers for their family as well. We’ve been in touch with many chaplains in various contexts and they appreciate your prayers and notes of encouragement. May God bless and keep you!

02/13/2020

Acadia University announces new University Chaplain.

Acadia University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter Ricketts today announced the appointment of the Reverand Dr. Marjorie Lewis as the University Chaplain effective March 2. On behalf of the entire Acadia community, I want to welcome Rev. Dr. Lewis to our campus and our community, said Dr. Ric...