A warm welcome for Reverend Stradwick atSt. John’s Anglican Church

Reverend Thomas Stradwick. (Robin Krafft Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

Reverend Thomas Stradwick is settling in at St. John's Anglican Church and finding his way around town, socializing with the people he meets and marvelling over the amenities.

He was recently appointed as rector on Nov. 1, and it’s a long way from his parish at St.-Peter’s-on-the-Rock in Kirkland Lake. He was the Regional Dean of the Diocese of Moosonee, responsible for a vast area covering 560 000 square kilometers. He travelled to distant congregations regularly, including Chapleau, Hearst, Hornepayne, Thunder Bay, Moosonee, and Val-d'Or, Quebec. It's quite a contrast to Tillsonburg, the largest community he's served in his 32 years of ordination, with so many conveniences nearby.

"It's a very welcoming place, and it's a really good fit theologically. I've been able to meet my homeless neighbours, and I got to have great conversations with them,” Stradwick said. “I've been to the men's breakfast on Thursday morning and met with the other ministers in town to have lunch and share what's going on."

He swims every morning, and then takes a long circuitous walk to the church with Tim Hortons cards in his pocket for those in need. Reaching out and connecting to the community is important to him.

"We have to be in relationship with each other, we’re not the body of Christ; we're part of it,” Stradwick said. “We have a fabulous deacon, and she has a good relationship with the community already. I want to walk alongside her, not take it away from her. Her vows are to serve, and my vows are to serve and to teach."

Being able to connect with colleagues and getting to know the St. John's church staff and congregation have been joyful experiences. He's still getting used to having an administrative assistant, organist and custodian, and the welcome dinner prepared by Chef Rudy was a delicious surprise.

Reverend Stradwick grew up in St. Catherine's, but his grandfather had a construction business and often had contracts in Simcoe and Tillsonburg.

"My mother worked in tobacco growing up, I heard stories of it. I remember in high school some kids got out of exams because they were coming to work in tobacco and I wondered why I didn't get to do that," Stradwick said, laughing.

He was married with three children and worked at Kimberly Clark before attending Brock University and then moving to Saskatoon to get his theology degree at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad.

"I had a yearning, a calling, and people were telling me; there were little signs along the way,” Stradwick reflected. “It was always in the background, but I wondered if I was good enough. You're supposed to do that before you marry or have kids."

Now, with his years of experience and the many congregations he's served, he brings his good humour and insight to bear as he embraces his new community.

"I believe in empowering people, not dictating. I take a very practical approach, it's Indigenous based, but it's not new, it's something that they used to do here,” Stradwick said. “On Sunday mornings we offer the Gospel Based Discipleship (GBD) program, looking at what intrigues us, what it's telling us and what we’re going to do about it."

He's also introducing a Dinner and Discussion series, beginning November 24. The first is titled Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands and will help non-Indigenous people understand the issues. Moving toward truth and reconciliation, he’s aiming to promote true healing. Three more Dinner and Discussion series are planned for 2026, beginning with the concept of Leading Change.

“How do we go beyond surviving and lead change in our church? Respect, vision, permission to change and to share the gospel that’s relative to people,” he explained.

It was challenging to find space for the new program, with so much happening at the church on a daily basis. Aside from regular programs like Cubs, Scouts, and Tai Chi, many special events are scheduled.

Regular services on Sundays begin at 8 a.m. with the Book of Common Prayer, GBD from 9 – 10 a.m., and service at 10:30, followed by coffee hour. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany will be the focus for December.

“Many people are coming back to the church,” he said. “It’s wonderful and we’d love to have you.”