Join AST's Christmas Lights Appeal and tree lighting ceremony

Christmas tree with lights and text that reads 'Illuminate a Memory'

(Concluded)

Event Recap: Atlantic School of Theology Christmas Lights Appeal (December 4, 2024)

The Atlantic School of Theology community, friends, and neighbours gathered for a special time of remembrance and dedication at our annual Christmas Lights Appeal ceremony on Thursday, December 4, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

This moving tradition successfully kicked off the holiday season by supporting our students and honouring cherished memories. The event, held outside the AST Residence on the AST campus, included the official Christmas tree lighting, dedication of lights, carolling, hot cocoa, and holiday treats.

A Dedicated Tribute: Remembering Jim Reimer

During the ceremony, the community assembled around the living tree on campus grounds, which serves as a dedicated and permanent tribute to Jim Reimer, a beloved former facilities staff member who passed away in 2018.

Jim Reimer, who lived and served on the AST campus for many years, is deeply missed by the community. Terry Slaunwhite, Facilities Manager at Atlantic School of Theology, shared personal memories of his lifelong friend, highlighting Jim's love for fishing and boating. This living tribute ensures Jim Reimer's dedication to the school remains a visible, growing part of our campus heritage.

Honouring Loved Ones and Supporting Ministry Students

The annual Christmas Lights Appeal offered a tangible way to honour the memory of someone important to the community. By sponsoring a light, names of loved ones were symbolically illuminated by an actual light on the tree during the dedication ceremony.

"So much of Christmas is about hope," shared Jennifer Hartmann, AST’s Manager of Philanthropy. "The reason we use light at Christmas is because the light was what guided the witnesses to Christ the night He was born."

Proceeds from the appeal go directly toward the AST Annual Fund. This fund is crucial for supporting our ministry students in several vital areas, including:

  • Student bursaries and financial aid

  • Library purchases and academic resources

  • Bringing in guest speakers and expanding programs

Hartmann noted that sponsoring a light provides two valuable outcomes: honouring someone close to you in a tangible way, and helping support students as they pursue a theological education that prioritizes inclusivity and community involvement.

Dedications and Ongoing Support

The dedication ceremony featured the names of everyone who sponsored a light before the appeal deadline (December 1). These names are now listed below.

You can still participate: Contributions continue to be gratefully accepted for the Annual Fund. Sponsoring a light remains a meaningful way to honour a loved one while providing crucial support to our ministry students.

Updated 1/23/26 

The Wreaths 

AST’s Christmas wreaths are sponsored by Pine Hill Divinity Hall in memory of Jim Reimer and Pine Hill alumni 

The Star 

The star on the AST Christmas tree is sponsored by the remaining six members of the Pine Hill Class of 1966 (Alvin Hingley, Lawrence Lewis, Diane MacVicar, Norman Marple, Arthur Storey, and John Wharry), in memory of the 18 members of their class who have passed away: 

Joseph Lester MacFarlane 

Charles Kelly Forrest 

Robert “Bob” Clarke Jones 

David Ray Shaffelburg 

Francis “Frank” Gosbee

L. Ray Babstock

John “Fraser” MacDonald

R. Neil Newbury

John David Hartley 

Gordon Gillingham 

William A. Coish 

Charles A. Swan 

James “Jim” Walter Forbes 

Kenneth Gordon Thornton 

Cyril “Jack” Mercer 

James “Jim” Glynne Crooks 

Warren Hingley 

Duncan E. Roach 

 

AST would also like to recognize the multiple gifts made this year to the Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund in her memory and in honour of her family.  

 

Blue Lights 

Anonymous (x10) 

Jane Biekens – in memory of Mom and Dad 

Donovan Brown - in memory of The Pine Hill Class of 1957 

Cecil Clarke - in memory of Kevin Reid 

The Rev. Graham Cook – in memory of Joseph and Chrissie Feltham 

The Rev. Jocelyn Cook – in memory of her parents, Joseph and Chrissie Feltham 

Art Donahoe – in memory of Carolyn Donahoe 

Daniel Driver - in honour of Matthew Driver 

Alyda Faber (x3) - in memory of Hendrik (Henk) Pander 

Mr. Lawrence Hale 

Howard Gorman - in memory of Helen Gorman 

Nancy Handrigan – in honour of Rev. Marion Davis (’94) 

Kenda Hartmann – in honour of Nic and Jen Hartmann 

David Heckerl - in memory of:  

- Dr. John R. Heckerl 

- Martha Joy Atkinson 

The Rev. Beth W. Johnston – in memory of: 

- Dr. Colin Grant 

- Pine Hill Alumni 

Donald MacAlpine - in memory of Barbara MacAlpine 

Susan MacAlpine-Gillis - in memory of Paul Gillis 

The Rev. Catherine MacDonald – in memory of The Rev. Stew Clarke 

Mr. & Ms. Alan Maclean – in memory of Margery Crooks 

Douglas MacLean - in memory of Rev. Ward H. & Margaret MacLean 

Keith and Valerie MacPherson – in memory of grandparents and mothers 

Sharon Miller - in memory of The Most Reverend Claude Miller 

Mr. John A. Montgomerie - in memory of Rev. Dr. John A. MacGlashen 

Gordon S. Murray - in honour of AST Class of 1975 

The Revs. Donald F. Murray and Emily Kierstead – in honor of George Mossman 

Dave Myatt - in memory of Judith Myatt 

The Rev. Catherine Pharo 

Sarah Neish – in memory of Canon Donald Neish 

Valeria Rhymes - in memory of Fred & Mike Rhymes 

The Rev. John H. Van Omme 

Cheryl Wood-Thomas – in memory of Rebecca MacDonald 

Rev. Dr. John H. Young (x5) - in memory of Gordon MacDermid 

The AST Faculty Association - in honour of:  

- Dawn Robertson 

- Linda Moxsom-Skinner 

 

Green Lights 

Anonymous 

Anonymous - in memory of Rick Chenhall 

Anonymous - in memory of Lana MacLean 

Anonymous - in honour of The Maintenance Guys 

Anonymous - in memory of Rev. Dr. Yvette Swan 

Rev. Frances Boutilier - in memory of Harvey J. Boutilier 

Pam Brown - in honour of Jeff Learmonth & Rachel Evans 

Jody Clarke - in memory of Barry Bank 

Brent and Ruth Denham – in honour of David Morgan 

Brent and Ruth Denham – in memory of Ewan Moase 

Adriel Driver – in honour of Matthew Driver 

William Brian Gee - in memory of Ed Aitkin 

Larry Hayes – in memory of Nancy Cleary 

David Heckerl - in memory of:  

- Oliver  

- Famke  

- Zeno  

- Sappho 

- Geddy 

Loreta Heron – in memory of Mary Parker 

Rev. Kathryn Highmoor - in memory of her parents 

Bonnie Hurry – in memory of Rev. and Mrs. Carman Burns (Alice) 

Hugh and Joan Learmonth - in honour of Jeff Learmonth 

Marion Lloy - in memory of William & Christine Lloy 

Bill & Stella Lord - in memory of Betty & Ben Davies 

Walter Murray - in memory of: 

- Rev. Bob Gorrie 

- The Pine Hill Class of 1963 

Carole Newell - in honour of Rev. David Hann 

Carole Newell - in memory of Rev. Clayton Lewis 

Sandra Reimer - in memory of Jim Reimer 

Dinah Simmons - in memory of William Simmons 

Matthew Sponagle - in memory of Faye Sponagle 

St. Barnabas Sewing Guild Blandford – in memory of Rev. Louis Quenelle 

Nicole Uzans - in memory of Lynn Uzans 

John Wharry - in memory of Katherine E. Wharry

M. MaryWilkie- in memory of Raymond Edward Wilkie 

 

Yellow Lights 

Anonymous - in honour of Rev. Barbara Cairnes 
Anonymous - in memory of George Christie 

Anonymous - in memory of Freya Milne  

Anonymous – in honour of Liam Petrie 

Anonymous – in memory of Eleanor Petrie 

Anonymous - in honour of Fay-Ann Torhjelm 

Rev. William Bartlett - in memory of:  

- Bob Fillier 

- Gerald Sacrey 

- Lewis Crewe 

Joe Burke - in memory of:  

- Leona Burke 

- Rita Boudreau 

Rev. Roscoe Cole - in memory of Isabelle Cole 

Gillian Doucet Campbell - in honour of Cate Ratcliffe 

Mrs. Margaret Embree – in memory of George Christie 

Diane Gorrie – in memory of Rev. Robert Gorrie 

Donald Linkletter - in memory of Neil H. Scott 

Patti McKenna – in memory of Kenny 

Rev. Dr. Heather McCance - in memory of Eric Beresford 

The Rt. Rev. Susan Moxley – in memory of The Rev. Dr. John Kirby 

Brenda Munro - in memory of:  

- Dr. Avery Kempton 

- Leni Groeneveld 

Susan O'Handley - in honour of Francis & Winnie Roberts 

Eileen Schuller - in memory of Scottie O'Neill 

Rev. Clarence & Gloria Sellars - in memory of loved ones 

Marjorie Serafinus - in memory of loved ones 

Arthur Smith - in memory of Rev. Tony Maunder 

Sonya van de Hoef-Fraser - in memory of Rev. John Fraser 

Ms. Thelma Veinot - in memory of her husband Murray 

Carrie Weaver - in memory of Donald Weaver 

Alfred & Diane Woodworth - in memory of Dale Woodworth 

 

Red Lights 

Anonymous (x5) - in honour of Jody Clarke 

Nicholas & Jennifer Hartmann - in memory of:  

- Dave Facion 

- Andrea Morris 

Mari & Rosi Hartmann - in memory of: 

- C. Glenn Curtis

- James Curtis 

- Larry Gunter 

Lorna Rankeillor - in memory of: 

- Katherine Rankeillor 

- Stuart Rankeillor 

- Iain Rankeillor