New Reverend to lead Anglican flocks in RR, Emo and Warroad

Ken Johnston
Editor

There is a new shepherd guiding the Anglican Church flocks in Rainy River, Emo and Warroad.
Reverend Sandra Tankard held her first services at St. James Anglican in RR and St. Georges in Emo September 1, 2002. This past weekend she was to travel to the Episcopal Church in Warroad as well and hold services.
This is Tankard’s second charge, having been previously situated in Pipestone, Saskatchewan.
Tankard said that she was in Winnipeg earlier this year taking a course when she learned of the available charge in the Rainy River area. Bishop David Ashdown of Kenora informed her of a revitalized border area ministry here.
Ashdown was one of her predecessors in Saskatchewan and the new Dean of Cathedral, Hugh Mathieson, was also a previous acquaintance. She thought the opportunity here would be exciting and decided to pursue it.
Between charges she also served in the chaplaincy program at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.
So the idea of getting back to the church appealed to her. The fact that her three point charge includes a church from the U.S. did not deter her. “I agreed to be responsible to two bishops,” said Tankard.
Tankard was born in Birmingham, England and as she grew up she said, “being a minister was never even on the radar screen.” In fact she was an elementary school teacher for 27 years when the call came for her to become a reverend.
“I returned to the church, like so many others, in a time of crisis in my life. I found a welcoming community and a mentor in (my) faith.”
She felt the experience went hand in hand with her teaching and over time, “The call got sufficiently strong.”
She left her teaching career and attending Trinity College in Toronto where she attained her Masters of Divinity.
While she did not know much about this area she did say that she had travelled through it on the train to Thunder Bay as a youngster. “My dad was a railroader too!”
So far she said she is finding the area to be nice and plans to take the first six months to, “deeply listen to people.”
As for recovering those who may have switched churches since the last reverend, Bill Giovetti, left or just strayed away, Tankard said, “I don’t think anyone should feel reluctant about returning or coming to see what we are about.”
Tankard is living in Rainy River at the Anglican Church manse. She enjoys photography, needlework and going for walks.
She says she will be here for at least two years and possibly longer. Anyone wishing to meet with her can call her at 852-1861.