Reverend Douglas Allan Stewart 1950 – 2024

Dear  Doug,

Where do I begin to tell the stories that flood my mind and heart, as I read the news of your passing into eternity? I hear your laughter, I feel your hugs, I remember your wise and comforting words.

I will never forget the words you shared with me at my ordination interviews: “I cannot wait to call you colleague after your ordination.” You also reminded me to be my True Self, and the rest of the world will adjust.

Thank YOU for being a mentor and a colleague, and a friend who extended an uplifting hand when Gary and I needed it the most.

Your unwavering love to all people brought many people together, but I am so blessed that an amazing friend and sister is added into my life. I am ever grateful for that.

From Valois, Que., to Gananoque, Ont., your ripples of love and care still brings people together. All I needed to hear Janet King say was: “A United Church minister officiated my Interfaith Wedding,” and all I had to say in reply was: “What is the minister’s name?” When she said: “Rev. Doug Stewart” I had no other reaction but to shout out with joy. She even had the picture to show it.

So, Douglas, even when you are not aware, you bring people together. That lunch invitation to Janet’s place, as her new minister at Grace United Church in Gananoque, turned into a friendship, a sisterhood that is as ancient as God and as fresh as every morning’s dew. Yes, God’s Love brought us together, however having you as another common denominator sealed the deal to this newfound relationship, and now it is four years plus.

Your journey with me and all the students of United Theological College has given us spiritual guidance and moments of deep breaths of joy and laughter even when the demands of school and preparing for ministry had many ups and downs. You always kept us afloat above the waters of chaos.

Now, I sit and reflect about the news of your passing away from this physical world, and I wonder how many funny ministry stories you are sharing with Jesus. Are you telling him about the husband who kissed his wife’s casket in the middle of winter and his lips got stuck to the steel casket? I imagine both of you sitting and smiling and laughing out loud, just like you did with us in the basement of the United Theological College in Montreal.

Therefore, we celebrate you, Doug, not just as a minister within the United Church of Canada, but also a spiritual guide and a dear friend who was never afraid to laugh and help others laugh as well. You are still uniting people with love and respect, as you treated everyone who came your way with unwavering Love and Respect.

Memories of you will continue to bless us, as you blessed this earth while you walked amongst us.

You are a righteous man, Doug, and as the Bible reminds us, the righteous man will be remembered forever (Psalm 112:6).

You will be forever in our hearts and minds, until we see each other in the spiritual realm, when our time is completed here …

Your Sister and Colleague – Always and Forever,
Takouhi

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