Weeks before Rev. Kenneth Davis and his family were set to move to Prince Albert, a fire burned down the Whitby, Ont., church where he preached for years.
Many people figured this would make him stay in the community, but he'd made his commitment to the Diocese of Saskatchewan
"We did a farewell party a week before the fire," Davis, 49, said
"So, I just worked morning, noon and night to help the congregation re-orient without its building.
Davis brings this dedication with him to the parish of St. Alban's and, as of next Sunday night, he will be the rector of the cathedral and dean of Saskatchewan
The fire put a difficult twist on his move
"I had to pack my office wearing a hard hat and steeled-toe boots and have an insurance company ... say, 'You can't be in here packing up your books,' " he said.
In some respects, saying goodbye was made more difficult by the fire, but in a small way, it also eased the pain, Davis said
"The sadness of the leaving was overshadowed by all of the grief of our challenges.
There wasn't much doubt in Davis' mind that the move was meant to be. While on vacation, after being asked to consider moving to the area, he met a previous dean of Saskat-chewan
"They said nothing but wonderful things about their life in Prince Albert," Davis said
Before the move to Prince Albert, Davis and his wife Gill spent only 24 hours in the community during their job interviews - him at the church and her at Victoria Hospital
The bishop of Saskatchewan, Michael Hawkins, hired Davis with a particular thought in mind, Davis said
"He hoped my role here would be to see the congregation grow.
Davis said he looks forward to meeting and caring for a whole new church family
"Being here is for me an attractive thing because it seems to come from God and the church," he said
Davis led his first service here on Sunday and will be installed Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Alban's Cathedral.
