The Rev. John Bullas, Minister at Carlyle United Church, 202 2nd street west, preached his last sermon of his 10 year pastorate in Carlyle at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 24th. Bullas is retiring after years as a United Church pastor.
Before entering the seminary, Rev. John was a meteorologist for Environment Canada. He never planned on being a minister the pieces just seemed to fall into place.
"The office I was working for in Saskatoon had shut down and I went to talk to my minister at the time to discuss what to do next," explained John. "I never had thought about it but I suddenly remembered the calendar I had been given the week earlier from St. Andrews College that was sitting on the passenger's seat in my car and I went in and spoke to them. By the end of the conversation I had a scholarship for my first year, as it was given to people who were just curious about the program or unsure."
This is just proof that the Lord works in mysterious ways.
A service marking the end of the covenanted ministry was held June 17, followed by a pot luck lunch to honor a man who is greatly loved by the community.
He has been finishing up church business this past week, seeing some people he wanted to see again before leaving the ministry and lucky for us he won't be too far, he is retiring to the lake area.
"This last week has been very busy, but that is a good thing I suppose," he said.
Even some of the congregation from Carlyle remembers Rev. Bullas during his younger years.
"My first memory was before he was ordained. He was serving the Preeceville/Sturgis pastoral charge as a student intern," recalls Delores Cutter, an usher in the Carlyle United Church congregation. "My mother, who lives in Sturgis, had invited her Minister, Rev. Russell and the new student minister, John Bullas to her birthday tea party. I was there at that time and had tea with Rev. John for the first time."
People always surprise him, from the simple meetings he attends to weddings, funerals and all other pastoral duties.
"I have really enjoyed being in Carlyle. My wife Sally and I will be staying in the area up at White Bear, but I have several plans," he explained. "I will be still involved with the international church, as well as have plans to go overseas. I've always wanted to go to Pakistan and work with the community there. Walk kids to school, so they don't get harassed by the military or anyone else."
After questioning John on his future plans, he came to the conclusion that he would be even busier after retirement than he currently is.
"I wish John all the best in his future endeavors," says Lynn Brady, a member of the congregation at Carlyle United Church. "There is a holiday month at church in July, and then in August we will welcome Rev. Shim."
