Rev. Neal Palmer is the minister here at First United Church. He attended St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon, SK where he obtained his Master of Divinity degree in 2011. He was then ordained in May of that same year.
Although no longer required at the time, Neal chose the Transfer and Settlement route and was settled in Beaverlodge-Wembley-Hythe Pastoral Charge in north-western Alberta effective July, 2011. For the next seven and a half years, he had the distinct privilege of ministering with the people there.
Rev. Neal began his ministry at First United in February, 2019. He now has the privilege of serving Bathurst and the surrounding area in such things as pastoral care, Christian education, weekly worship services, and services at the local nursing homes.
Neal was born in Bathurst and raised in New Brunswick, but moved to Alberta for reasons of employment in the eighties, living mostly in Edmonton, and in the province’s north-east as well. As a young man he played professional baseball, and then later, spent many years coaching minor baseball and hockey. Until returning to University to pursue his calling to ministry, he worked in the general insurance industry. He and his partner, Jini, are now proud to call Bathurst home.
Rev. Neal is always looking for ways of getting to know people better. If you have an idea as to how best that might happen for you, please be in touch. He will look forward to beginning and/or working towards enhancing the ministry we’re called to do together.
Organist and Choral Director since Nov. 1996.
Piano studies 1973-1981 (L'École Vincent-D'Indy, Montreal program, Gr.7 RCM equivalent), with various Bathurst teachers affiliated with the Notre Dame de Sacre Coeur convent.
Pipe organ studies under the direction of Mr. Joseph A. MacDonald; began playing for summer worship services at First United and South Tetagouche United churches at the age of 15 yrs.
Member of various community choral groups since childhood. A member of the ladies' choral ensemble, Take Note, since 2003.
Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner by profession.
May, 2022
March, 2022
March, 2021
