The clergy of the Diocese gathered at Bishopsthorpe this afternoon to say farewell to the Rev. Christopher Snook, his wife Barbara Swanson, and their daughter Evelyn, who complete their ministry at Fort Pitt Mission tomorrow.

The Snooks, who have been living in Paradise HIll, have been serving the communities of Fort Pitt, Onion Lake First Nation, Frenchman Butte, Deer Creek and Paradise Hill since 2005, partly with the assistance of a grants from Victoria Cathedral, St. George's, Halifax, private donors and, increasingly as the parish grew, by local support.

Fr. Snook was ordained Deacon in 2005 and priested in Fort Pitt the following March (see photo album). The Snooks' service in the area has had many highlights, including a very successful Summer Day Camp in Onion Lake, a healing walk, a 'Caring Professions' conference and drug awareness seminar, and recently an Early Music Concert and workshops led by Ms. Swanson. Their daughter Evelyn, was born last year on July 11.

Fr. Snook has also served as Associate Editor of the Saskatchewan Anglican newspaper and as writer for this website.

This fall, they move to Cleveland, Ohio, where Ms. Swanson will continue her doctoral studies in Early Music.

At the luncheon held at Amy's Restaurant in Prince Albert, they were thanked by Bishop Burton and by the Regional Dean, the Rev. Mary Ann Boote, and presented with gifts on behalf of the Diocese. Bishop Burton read this limerick, which observed Fr. Snook's affection for the Book of Common Prayer:

There once was a priest named Chris Snook
Whose love was the Common Prayer Book
Half his parish was green
But this priest was so keen
Of the Snook book they soon took the hook.

Of the Snook hook the Barb was not sharp -
Neither flat – but melodious; harp
ne’er was so well tuned.
Early Music she crooned:
Time collapsed in celestial warp.