ST. PAUL'S

Sam was born and grew up in the United States.  He was raised Dutch Reformed and came to Canada in the early 1970’s.  He had originally thought to become an engineer, but was equally inclined toward the ministry, which won the day. 

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Rev. Priestley often spoke of how, in his last charge in the US before moving to Canada, he became a full member of the local volunteer fire department.  He was asked to act as the fire department’s chaplain, and Sam felt that he had to participate fully if he was to meet the spiritual needs of the firemen.  By joining the department, he inadvertently filled his church with firemen, who knew that, if the alarm rang, they could race out in the middle of a sermon, no questions asked.  However, the firemen staunchly refused to run out during a prayer. To compensate, Rev. Priestley learned a conditioned response: to quickly say “… in Jesus name, Amen” every time he heard a distant fire alarm!

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Rev. Priestley dedicated himself to the pastoral care of God’s flock.  Sam strove to get to know the people in his churches and they got to know and trust Sam.  It was important to Sam to get to know people so that he might learn about the areas of their lives that could really use prayer.  This was particularly true when Sam was going through his own challenge with cancer many years ago.  This illness made it possible for Sam to discuss the theology of suffering in his own context, living out, by example, the fact that sometimes “bad things do happen to good people” and God will walk with you through the dark valley.

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Rev. Priestley believed in the priesthood of all believers and made sure to delegate as much responsibility as possible within the various committees in the churches he served.  Sam always encouraged members to be responsible for their committees and would not impose himself or his ideas.  Whether it was the board or the school council, Sam would avoid taking a position without being asked, unless he saw something that needed correction.

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Sam’s family made many sacrifices in support of his ministry over the years. For example, one year, when his children were still quite young, Sam was called away to a nursing home to pray for a dying patient just as the children were opening their presents.  Sam and his family understood that this sacrifice was part of the vocation, and we in the church owe our gratitude to Sam’s family for their long-suffering patience.

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Sam had a terrific sense of humour combined with a no-nonsense attitude.  Everyone in his churches laughed when Sam reminded us that, “My job is to comfort the distressed and distress the comfortable.”

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In his sermons, Sam always strove to help his congregation see that while God is removed from us, he is also most intimately involved with each of us. For Sam, prayer and Bible reading were important in the life of a Christian.  Sam said, “And if you don't communicate [with God] then you have no way of knowing what his will is for you because he doesn't go around with a baseball bat smacking you over the head. God is an infinitely patient God... and it takes a long time to learn that. But you know this... the whole matter of the crucifixion and resurrection is incomprehensible until you begin to understand this is an act of grace of God's love toward each individual. But He leaves the door open for acceptance or rejection.”

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We are tremendously grateful to God for the gift of Reverend Samuel Priestley in the life of our congregation and the many people to whom he blessed through caring pastoral care and spiritual guidance over the years.  Thank you, Sam.  And, thank you, God, in Jesus’ name, for the gift of Rev. Samuel Priestley in our lives.

He will be deeply missed but we shall see him again in the sweet by and by.

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