Summer Preachers at St. Andrew’s 2026

Rev. Ernie Cox: Preaching July 5, August 23 and August 30

Rev. Ernie Cox is well known to St. Andrean’s. He was minister of Fourth Avenue Baptist Church for 17 years, and minister of McPhail Memorial Baptist Church for 8 years.  Between those two pastorates for 6 years Ernie divided his time between part-time pulpit supply and music, performing music mostly in the Black Gospel genre. Ernie retired from McPhail Baptist Church in February, 2022.

The Rev. Dr. Steve Moore: Preaching July 12

The Rev. Dr. Steve Moore, CD is a United Church of Canada minister. Steve served as a Padre in the Canadian Armed Forces for 22 years, with operational tours to Bosnia during the war (92-93), Haiti (97-98) and doctoral research in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2006). His post-doctoral work led to the chaplain operational capability, Religious Leader Engagement (RLE), now being integrated into military training. He is presently on the Staff of the Chaplain General where he continues his research.

Since retiring from the Forces, Steve has served in a number of UCC churches in the Ottawa area: Bethel-St. Andrew’s United (Fitzroy), Southminster United, Emmanuel United and Rideau Park United. He has ministered in Transitional Ministry with several churches, most recently with Rideau Park United (2024-2025).

Matthew Larkin: Preaching July 19

Matthew Larkin joined St. Andrew’s as interim Custodian for Music in August 2021. A church musician with over thirty years of professional experience, he is known internationally as a recitalist, recording artist, and conductor. He is the founding director of Caelis Academy Ensemble, and has worked with choirs of all shapes and sizes throughout Canada and beyond. Matthew is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and sits on its Examination Committee. His Christian formation was through the gateway of liturgy, and he believes that music has tremendous potential to encourage, to enliven, and to heal.

Rev. Bill MacLellan: Preaching July 26

Sermon:  It’s that simple - God Loves the World

Bill MacLellan, born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, moved to Cornwall, Ontario, where his father, Dr. W. Lloyd MacLellan, became Minister of St. John’s. He studied agriculture at McGill University and then theology at the Presbyterian College, Montreal. After ordination, he served as an extension charge at University Church, Toronto. Bill and Lynda Mersereau married during their first year in Downsview and later moved to Ottawa, where he served as a reserve chaplain at Westminster Church. Three years later, they joined the Chaplain Branch on a full-time basis, serving in various locations including Calgary, Cornwallis, Baden-Soellingen, Montreal, Borden, and Ottawa. After a 25-year career in the Canadian Forces, Bill retired and returned to pastoral ministry in Toronto at Rosedale Presbyterian Church. In 2011, he attempted another retirement, but remained involved in preaching and part-time ministry. After 53 1/2 years of marriage, his beloved wife and partner died almost three years ago. Now he lives with his family on the Rideau River, preaching occasionally and driving for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope, and, yes, golf.

Darlene McLeod.: Preaching August 2

Darlene McLeod grew up in the Presbyterian Church and has been a member of St. Andrew's for over 23 years. She previously served as the Presbytery of Ottawa's Youth and Young Adult Animator and on the Christian Education committee here at St. Andrew's. She has an MA in Religion and Public Life (Carleton University) and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Religious Studies (University of Ottawa). Her research has included feminist and queer ritual, gender and religion, and sociology of religion. Her current Ph.D. research examines Christian Nationalist practices. She has previously published essays in The Globe & Mail, The Ottawa Citizen, Geez Magazine, and EVENT Literary Magazine.

Rev. Dr. Blair Bertrand.: Preaching August 9

Rev. Bertrand is a mission liaison between The Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Church of Central Africa (Presbyterian) in Malawi. Since 2017, he has been a Senior Lecturer and the Director of Research and Educational Quality Assurance at Zomba Theological University. Currently, he teaches in Malawi for 1/3 of the year and the other 2/3 are spent working out of his home office in Ottawa (Barrhaven). Recently he has co-authored with Andrew Root a book titled When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation (Brazos Press, 2023).