Summerland United Church has a new minister.
Armand Houle and his wife Kathy were welcomed during a Covenanting Service Feb. 17. They started work at the church Jan. 1.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Houle has served congregations in British Columbia and Alberta before coming to Summerland. The couple has two young adult children, both of whom live in Edmonton. He says he is excited to become part of Summerland United, a congregation whose members are active in the community in many different ways.
While attendance trends across the Christian Church in North America seem to be in a downward trend, Houle is confident that there is still a place and a need for the welcoming, inclusive, community-building, justice-seeking message and theology of the United Church of Canada.
When people come to Summerland United on Sunday morning they will find a community of joy, support and good humour, he said.
These services are generally an hour long and include programming for children and youth and a fellowship time after the service.