The Reverend Isaac Graham celebrates 50 years of ordained ministry

By The Rev’d Rob Stringer, Priest-in-Charge of Meadow Lake and Loon Lake. The congregation of Holy Trinity, Meadow Lake, recently welcomed the Reverend Isaac Graham and his wife Sheila to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination. The Rev’d Graham was ordained in Prince Albert in 1958 and celebrated his first service in Meadow Lake. Isaac served in Meadow Lake for five years and has maintained a close relationship with the congregation as his sister, who followed Isaac from Ireland, married a local man (Malcolm and Elizabeth McCrimmon) thus providing the Grahams many opportunities to visit Meadow Lake over the years. Thus, it was with great joy that the congregation welcomed the Grahams to celebrate this special day.

The Rev’d Graham presided over the Eucharist and shared reflections from his relationship with Christ and his fifty years in ministry. He retold the story of his arrival in Meadow Lake: his newly purchased used car stalled 30 kms outside of town because of an undiscovered hole in the gas tank. Isaac sought help from a member of the parish, Alfred Summerfeld, who traveled out to the car with a can of gasoline. When they ran out gas again, Mr. Summerfeld pushed Isaac and his car into Meadow Lake. That night, Mr. Summerfeld told Isaac, “I have pushed you into town, I hope I do not have to push you out of town.” In his message, the Rev’d Graham challenged and encouraged the congregation to be open to the change the Christ brings into our lives. It was a faithful message of one disciple of Christ to another. Following the service, the congregation enjoyed a potluck lunch and Isaac expressed his appreciation to the parish for giving him a start in ministry and for being a gracious place where a young minister can find his or her way.

Following the Rev’d Graham’s time in Meadow Lake (with St. Cyr, Green Lake and Rapid View); he continued in the diocese of Saskatchewan to serve at St George's, Prince Albert (with St Catherine’s, St Luke's, Lily Plain and Holy Trinity and Stanleyville) ; followed by Shellbrook Regional Parish (with Holbein, Sturgeon Valley, Briarlea, Canwood and Leask).

The Grahams now reside near Kelowna, BC.