Dave Flawse

Special to The Record

Two local ministers of St. George鈥檚 United Church in Courtenay are co-recipients of an award from the Vancouver School of Theology (VST), for thoughtful, engaged and generous Christian practitioners.

Ingrid Brown and Ryan Slifka are the first-ever recipients of the award, given to ministers in their first 10 years of service.

鈥淎s Christians, we do something distinct and different,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 think there should be any barriers to anyone coming in and having the ability to engage no matter their belief systems.鈥�

Slifka has been with St. George鈥檚 Untied Church for five years and Ingrid for four.

鈥淪t. George鈥檚 has undergone significant revitalization in the past few years since I鈥檝e arrived as minister,鈥� said Slifka. 鈥淸St. George鈥檚] is open to everybody - a broad welcome.鈥�

Brown agrees.

鈥淕ender identity, sexual orientation, nothing should be a barrier to participation to a community of love and faith,鈥� she said

Both were unaware of their nomination until they received a phone call from the school鈥檚 president.

鈥淚t was a complete surprise,鈥� said Slifka.

The two former classmates of VST continue to raise money for local charities with the church, recently raising $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity North Island.

As well as duties at St. George鈥檚, Brown runs Weird Church based in Cumberland.

She said it鈥檚 a place for 鈥渢hought-provoking questions on what it means to be a spiritual being on this journey on earth.鈥�

Weird Church is hosting an upcoming blues event on June 14 at the Cumberland United Church.

鈥淒inner, music, storytelling: a feast for your belly and your soul.鈥�

The free event is catered by Biblio Taco. Registration and more details can be found at .