Join AST's Christmas Lights Appeal and tree lighting ceremony

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

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 12/8/25

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 in memory of Rev. Alison Etter.

 

Blue Lights

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

Cecil Clarke - in memory of Kevin Reid

Daniel Driver - in honour of Matthew Driver

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

Howard Gorman - in memory of Helen Gorman

David Heckerl - in memory of:

Dr. John R. Heckerl

Martha Joy Atkinson

Donald MacAlpine - in memory of Barbara MacAlpine

Susan MacAlpine-Gillis - in memory of Paul Gillis

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

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

Dave Myatt - in memory of Judith Myatt

Valeria Rhymes - in memory of Fred & Mike Rhymes

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 - in memory of Rick Chenhall

Anonymous - in memory of Lana MacLean

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

William Brian Gee - in memory of Ed Aitkin

David Heckerl - in memory of:

Oliver

Famke

Zeno

Sappho

Geddy

Rev. Kathryn Highmoor - in memory of her parents

Hugh & Joan Learmonth - in honour of Jeff Learmonth

Marion Lloy - in memory of William & Christine Lloy

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

Alan Maclean - in memory of Margery Crooks

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

Nicole Uzans - in memory of Lynn Uzans

John Wharry - in memory of Katherine E. Wharry

M. Mary Wilkie - in memory of Raymond Edward Wilkie

 

Yellow Lights

Anonymous - in honour of Rev. Barbara Cairnes

Anonymous - in memory of George Christie

Anonymous - in honour of Fay-Ann Torhjelm

Anonymous - in memory of Freya Milne

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

Donald Linkletter - in memory of Neil H. Scott

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

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

Larry Hayes - in memory of Nancy Cleary

Lorna Rankeillor - in memory of:

Katherine Rankeillor

Stuart Rankeillor

Iain Rankeillor