Lakeshore United Church in Goderich welcomes new minister

In early February, Lakeshore United Church welcomed a new minister, Reverand Rohan Pushparajan.

The minister’s arrival follows a seven-month search process that saw the search committee go beyond Canadian borders.

On September 22, Lakeshore United Church congregation accepted the search committee’s recommendation to call Rev. Rohan Pushparajan as their full-time minister.

“The search for a new minister was certainly lengthy and there were disappointments along the way,” admitted Andy Ross, Lakeshore United Church chair of council and member of the search committee.

“Once we met Rev. Rohan via Zoom, the excitement started to build. Waiting for him and his family to arrive felt long, but it was certainly worth it.”

On Sunday, February 2 the congregation gathered to hear the new minister’s sermon ‘Rooted in Love and Sent with Boldness’.

Rev. Rohan arrived in Canada on January 24, and the congregation had a chance to meet and greet him and his family on January 26.

According to Rev. Rohan, he hopes to offer the spiritual support the community needs, as best as he can.

“I am deeply interested in intercultural and interfaith dialogue,” admitted Rev. Rohan.

“Being rooted in Christianity, it’s important to send a message of acceptance, an open arm to other faith communities among us in Goderich. It’s when we come to know our differences and similarities that the church can reveal its true beauty.”

Rev. Rohan’s interest in aiding marginalized communities plays well to Lakeshore United’s statement of intention to provide a haven for all seeking peace, justice, affirmation, acceptance, and equality.

“When I read the mission statement and statement of the intention, I knew this [Lakeshore United Church] would be the best place for me to serve in ministry while providing me with the space to be the best that I can be,” added Rev. Rohan.

Following completion of his four-year Bachelor of Divinity Studies at the United Theological College in Bangalore, Rev. Rohan has working in full-time ministry in the Church of South India.

Lakeshore United Church holds its weekly services on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. with live streaming on YouTube available.

For more information visit https://www.lakeshoreuc.org/