Marion Barcaly
APCE 2002 Educator of the Year

"In lives that are often filled with so many things to do, so many different demands, we need to take the time to celebrate the wonderful giftedness of God that is lived out in the ordinariness of our life together as the people of God. Labour. Grace. Privilege. Celebration. Ordinary people, you and I, but an extraordinary God who calls us to share our lives with others."

Click Here to read Marion Barcaly's award speech.

Marion Barclay is a native of British Columbia. While the heart of her educational ministry has been in Western Canada, her ministry has had national and international breadth. She has served as Presbytery Moderator, with the Life and Mission Agency, and as the convener of the Committee on Theological Education of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Marion has also been an active APCE cabinet member, and served as the Association’s President in 1998. Her involvement in APCE opened other opportunities in curriculum development through Christian Education Shared Approaches (CESA) and the Presbyterian Reformed Educational Materials (PREM). She is well respected in both the United States and Canada as a speaker and workshop leader. She is a member of the Order of Diaconal Ministries, an ordained elder and, since 1997, a minister of Word and Sacrament.

Marion’s vast experience is evidence of the gifts for ministry that drew Marion into so many avenues of service. A life long learner, Marion has said that she said “yes” to church membership and leadership as a teenager and that the “yes” has continued throughout her adult life. Her church recognized her commitment and her gifts and nurtured her as she continued her education at the University of British Columbia, Ewart College and the University of Toronto in preparation for the diaconal ministry of Christian education. At the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union-PSCE) and at Knox College in Toronto as she pursued her call to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. But even these academic credentials do not capture the heart of Marion’s ministry.

Recently the Presbyterian Church in Canada published a book about Presbyterian women that included Marion Barclay. Some of the anecdotes collected in preparation for that chapter reveal the spirit of this gracious and gifted educator.

Her radiance was contagious. . .she possesses exquisite gifts for ministry. . . she has a tremendous ability to connect with people. . .she has great insight and forethought that led to decisions which were empowering. . .she is a bright and articulate person with a penchant for big words. . .she is someone whose life is characterized by calmness, wholeness, and spirituality.

Each of her nominators for this year’s award lifted up her ability to be a team player, to lead the team when necessary, and to enable leadership in others. They spoke of her as one who helps people to believe in themselves and who provides them with resources and training to become better leaders.

Marion’s service to APCE as President certainly reflected that team spirit. She led with wisdom and humor. She is consistently able to move a committee into a group process by posing probing questions engage the interest of all. She builds group consensus so that those with the most self-interest are able to hear and to respond for the good of the whole. During her term as President, our four multi-cultural representatives were added to the Cabinet. One of those original representatives came with real apprehension, but left feeling completely accepted and valued. Marion’s sensitivity in creating the agenda and moderating with warmth and grace contributed to this smooth and important transition for our Association.

Perhaps Marion’s own words, borrowed from her application to Knox College, help sum up her ministry. “I view all people within the Church as having gifts to contribute for the strengthening and upbuilding of God’s people.” In that inclusive spirit she leads, and in that spirit APCE presents Marion Barclay as the 2002 Educator of the Year. We can all count ourselves blessed to be on her team.