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David and his young family started attending St. Clement’s in 1990, a few years after settling in North Vancouver.  Since then he and Wilna have been central to the life of the parish under five rectors. 

An engineer by profession, David brings analytical skills and careful decision making to the many roles he undertakes, as well as an innate kindness and care for individuals and the community.  He is able to connect with people of all ages.

David is a person of deep faith; his beliefs are central to his life.  He nurtures his relationship with God through study, reflection, retreats and worship.  Roles he has fulfilled in weekly worship include: Eucharistic administrator, reader, counter, greeter; he is part of the intercessory prayer team.

He loves to engage in teaching and learning, through Sunday school - where he has taught two generations of children and young people - seasonal and ongoing Bible studies and the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) who meet weekly for breakfast and study of the lectionary for the coming Sunday. 

David has committed time and talents to parish leadership.  He is a long-term member of Parish Council, where his insights, experience and thoughtful approach are deeply appreciated.  Offices he has held include:  Warden, Treasurer, Synod Delegate and Alternate Delegate, Secretary to Parish Council.  On a practical level David has been part of a group checking up on the security of the church property each night, and has looked after aspects of building maintenance. 

David, who is an immigrant himself and whose career took him to many parts of the world, has a passion for working to sponsor and support refugees fleeing unsafe conditions in their home countries, within the parish and through North Vancouver REST (Regional Ecumenical Support Team).  He spends countless hours dealing with bureaucracy, filling in forms, working against deadlines, to bring individuals and families to Canada.  Once they are in Canada, David’s involvement continues; he goes to meet them at the airport and supports  them through the settlement process and beyond.  He and Wilna were given the LynnValleyLife “Good Neighbour” award in 2016 for opening their home to a young Somali man, unable to live independently, on his arrival.

The parish of St. Clement wholeheartedly supports David’s nomination for the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster, as a fitting recognition of all he brings to us and the wider community through his quiet and unassuming leadership.

Click here for livestream information for the November 7 10:30 a.m. service, at which will be read the following citation:

CITATION

David’s love for God and care for people uphold his life in and beyond St. Clement’s, in his family, his engineering career, his engagement with church and world.  His unassuming, quiet leadership has been a constant in the parish since 1990; teaching children or adults, dealing with bureaucracy to bring refugees to Canada or welcoming newcomers at the airport, balancing the church budget or consulting with rectors, praying for people or spending time in study, he lives out his faith.