BY LORNE ECKERSLEY
Advance Staff
Leon Rogers says coming to Canada has been a dream shared with his wife, Carina, for several years. And now that they have made the move from England to Creston, their early impressions have all been positive.
Rogers first learned of the job opening at Christ Church Anglican nearly a year ago.
“I didn’t apply, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” he said last week. When he and Carina felt ready for a move in March he checked and found the opening in Creston still existed.
Skype interviews with the district archbishop and congregants led to the job offer and the Rogers family, which includes three children—Alma, 7, Joseph, 3, and the 10-month-old Ruben—flew to Toronto in mid-July.
“We took some time to visit with some extended family members and we had a great time,” he said. “But we were more excited about seeing BC and getting to Creston.”
Rogers grew up in coal-mining territory in England’s northeast, but charity work took him to a variety of places, including Malawi, where he worked on irrigation projects, France, where he worked with special needs kids in a school (and met Carina) and Romania.
“I really see the world as a global village,” he said.
When he and Carina were married nine years ago, Leon was already planning to go into the priesthood. Now, as they settle into their home next door to the church, he has quickly found Creston to his liking.
“The freedom of the great outdoors, a sense of community and a great place to raise children,” are some of the early attractions. He is already learning about local hiking trails and making plans to get into the mountains.
“Community work is very important to me,” he said. “I believe the best approach to working with people is to respond with acts of love and kindness. I am pleased to have a chance to get involved with this community.”
Describing himself as an Anglican Franciscan, Rogers said he follows the examples of love, joy and humility espoused by Saint Francis of Assisi. He is looking forward to receving the shipment of the family’s possessions, which include his collection of traditional woodworking hand tools.
“I love wood. Jesus was a carpenter and I feel that connection when I am in the workshop.”
Meanwhile, the kids are excited to start their new lives. Alma is excited to start school and Joseph “wants to play ice hockey”, a sport Leon came to love while attending games in England, where the sport is growing in popularity.
He and Carina have appreciated the welcome they have received.
“Since coming here last month we have experienced huge amounts of support from our congregation and the wider community.”
With a new country to call home, the Rogers family leaves behind what Leon refers to as “the instability” that has been created since Britons voted by a narrow margin to leave the European Union.
“Now we are embarking on a very exciting and hope-filled chapter of our lives,” he smiled. “We are very happy to be here.”
“Creston allows me to continue my Christian ministry,” he said. “The Creston Valley seems like a godsend.”