: Who is... © ne . Elizabeth by Betty Barton Elizabeth Starkey is the new lay minister at Knox United Church. She replaces Rev. Stan Bailey, who left Terrace in August. Mrs. Starkey arrived here on August 27, from her home church Ellesmere in Burnaby, on a two- year appointment from the United Church. The local pastoral commit- tee and presbytery met to interview Elizabeth Starkey and have her attend one service at Knox United prior to her appointment. At that service, an article, by Marion Best, about the ravages of war and the fireweed that quickly and dramatically retums the beauty of the earth, prompted Mrs. Star- key to speak out. Her conclusion, "God is in there somewhere." After her interview and the service, the congregation had an opportunity for discussion and were involved in the decision-making process that allowed Elizabeth Starkey the Opportunity to come to Knox United Church in Terrace. She goes on to explain that, with the permission of the Church, she has equal opportunities in B.C. to perform all of the duties of an ordained minister including wed- dings, funerals, baptisms and sac- raments. She adds, "As a lay per- son, it has to be confirmed from charge (church appointment) to charge." ‘She explains, "I’ve done a num- ber of *interims’ of one year, but the United Church has decided it takes two to three years to identify the needs of the church — I need to listen to the congregation — and then, to work with the congre-. gation to address those needs." Starkey has served as lay minister Starkey? most recently at Mountainview Windsor, in Vancouver. Before that, she was in Nelson, B.C., a ‘small community in Manitoba, Rutland in the Okanagan, Ioco and Port Moody near Vancouver, and Greenwood/Midway in the Kootenays. She stays in touch with all her congregations. "It does give you a feel for new places and I don’t feel hesitant about meeting new congregations," she says energetically. "I just play it as I see it." Elizabeth Starkey was raised an Anglican. When she and her husband emigrated to Canada from England in 1953, their immigration officer wrote a letter of introduction to his family in Ottawa and also found her hus- band a job as a seedsman there, The immigration officer’s family were members of Dominion United Church and invited the Starkeys and their four-month old baby to join them. Elizabeth says it just felt right, and they joined the congregation. "Our whole introduc- tion to Canada was Biblical, ’Wel- come the stranger within your gates.’ " She still keeps in touch with their first landiady in Ottawa. Over the years, she became involved in the United Church at all levels — local, presbytery, conference, national and even international. She finally allowed her hunger for a theological back- ground and’ a° lifelong- love. of learning and teaching to take her to the Vancouver School of Theol- ogy from 1976 through 1979, In 1956, the Starkeys moved to Burnaby, where they raised four children, a daughter and three sons. Mrs. Starkey also has six grandchildren, with a seventh on “the way in January. "They're all "very family and community- oriented," says Elizabeth proudly, now on her own as her husband died six years ago. It was her youngest son, Andrew, altending a diesel course at North- west Community College a number of years ago, who extolled the virtues of Terrace to his mother. Elizabeth Starkey had the oppor- tunity to visit Terrace in 1989 when the United Church Confer- ence was held here. She was most impressed, "This had come at the right time ‘for me," says Elizabeth Starkey with enthusiasm. Even while she lived in England, she always dreamt of Canada and "the true north, strong and free", She says she’s finally getting a chance to experience it. She's already conducted four Sunday services at Knox United Church and attended one board meeting. She’s an ipso facto member of the four committees within the church: pastoral care and membership, worship, Christian education and the board. She will do services and visits 10 Terraceview Lodge and Mills Memorial Hospital. She hopes to conduct a service in Stewart, and possibly to visit Alaska. She has already been to Prince Rupert and Smithers, but missed the Smithers Fall Fair, She did arrive in Terrace in time for the Skeena Valley Fall Fair, "I love fall fairs!" exclaims Elizabeth, a lady who now feels more at home in her new apartment because she’s brought her soup pot back from Burnaby. At the Skeena Valley Fall Fair, Elizabeth Starkey discovered the Amateur Radio Club, which she hopes to join. ~ During World War II in Britain, she was a radio operator in the army. She met her husband after VJ Day when her division was re- mustered into the Ordinance Corps. is workin hard for Skeena! Wherever you find Terrace Review —— Wednesday, Gctaber 2, 1991 17 Elizabeth Starkey: | need to listen to the congregation — and then, to work with the congregation to address those needs. They were married in September people and life and many other 1947 after Elizabeth was dis- facets describe Elizabeth Starkey. charged. Welcome to Terrace! Fall Fairs, God's will, a love of Looking for more packground » + OMn-a news.story?. . The Terrace Public Library is one place to start. On Saturday, October 5, 1991, Magic Magic is coming to Terrace. A show that is guaranteed to amaze and mystify you. The show features Murray Hatfield & Co., Brenda Fox & Wonder Dog Ziggy, the hilarious comedy antics of the F Nuggling Clarke Robertson & ish, the Singing Clown. Magic Magic is playing at the: R.E.M. LEE THEATRE OCTOBER 5, 1991 2:00 P.M. , Sponsored by the Terrace Kinsmen Club TICKETS AVAILABLE AT -THEDOOR