Every week, I will be profiling an extraordinary human being who lives in our community. If you know someone who is doing something interesting with their life, I want to hear about it. Send me an email at [email protected]
Derek Shelly has never looked at his cup as just being half full.
“I’m drinking from my saucer because my cup overflowed,” laughs the minister of Trinity United Church. He’s referring to a line in a famous Joni Mitchell song, but it rings so true because he leads a busy life.
If you ever sat through a Sunday morning church service and couldn’t wait for the priest to finish his sermon then obviously Derek wasn’t leading it. Or if you ever felt like the reason you steered clear of going to church was out of fear of being judged, Derek can sympathize. He knows these are big reasons why some people simply don’t do church, and he’s certainly aware of the stigma that’s attached to religion. But here’s the thing about Derek: he’s not one to judge. Never has been and never will be. He appreciates that everyone is their own person and therefore entitled to their own beliefs whether that be religious or spiritual. For a small town minister, there’s something wonderfully refreshing about him.
He’s a cool guy, in his own right. When it comes to conversation, nothing is off limits. If you need to vent, Derek will listen. If you are seeking answers for life’s big questions, Derek isn’t going to tell you the answers. He will guide you, though, so you can find the answers yourself. He takes his job at the church and the work he does in this community seriously, but he also believes in letting loose and having fun. Laughter is the best medicine in this often grim world.
“One of the things people will say about me is that I like to use humour. I’m not opposed to telling a funny story during a Sunday morning sermon, whether it’s about me or a funny experience I had. I believe humour brings people together. I’ve often heard people say, ‘We tolerate Derek’s humour even when the jokes aren’t funny.’”
Even though he’s a man of faith and God, he’s not the type to cram his opinions and beliefs down your throat. He’s got a more tasteful approach to turning someone onto God. Derek strives to lead by example. He counts his blessings, even the little ones, practices what he preaches on a daily basis and holds a very high regard for this town and its people. Which is exactly why Derek finds it in his heart to give back over and over and over again. He believes in the power of prayer and how it has the ability to bring everyone together.
I don’t believe in a god up in the sky who’s throwing lightening bolts down at those who did bad, because the truth is we’ve all lived really good lives and ducked the lightening bolts.
He came to Huntsville back in 2003 from just outside the Ottawa area and has been happily planted ever since. Aside from the busy life he leads being involved in the goings-on as minister, Derek also leads a busy life outside the walls of the church. Being engaged in the community not only comes with the territory for being a church minister, but it means something to be able to give back to the town and its people.
“What makes any community is the people,” he says. “Even when we disagree, whether it be about politics or whatever, there’s still a sense that you’re a part of this community. It’s a wonderful thing and I’ve felt it right from the get-go. And despite any differences we might have, the bottom line is we are a community. We’re supportive and caring for each other. It’s a big town but a small town with that feeling.”
His understanding of the circle of life and his compassion and empathy for not only individuals facing end-of-life situations but for their families as well has made Derek the perfect volunteer for hospice organizations in the many towns he’s lived in over the last two decades. Back when getting a hospice care facility in town was just an idea, Derek was instrumental in helping to get the ball rolling. He was a member of Hospice Huntsville’s board of directors, and when he stepped down a few years ago, he became an on-call volunteer for families needing any spiritual condolence. Every year in May, Derek leads an opening prayer for Hike for Hospice, which helps build awareness and raise funds for Hospice Huntsville.
“For me, it’s a way of giving back. People want all of life to be respected. We celebrate birth and we also need to have the same sense of dignity and care when people are dying.”
When he withdrew as a member of the Hospice board, he pursued a new avenue by becoming a member of the Alzheimer’s Society of Muskoka. It’s an organization that’s near and dear to his heart and being involved is just another way Derek can help give back.
He’s always had a thing for theatre as well, so it comes as no surprise that he’s one of the founding members of the Huntsville Community Theatre. Aside from taking part in multiple church plays at Trinity, he’s also taken the stage for numerous productions at the Algonquin Theatre including Music Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Of Mice and Men, The Wizard of Oz, and he played a humourous role as one of the stepsisters in Cinderella. Last October, he underwent surgery which messed up planning for what he could and couldn’t do on stage. He loves doing improv; it’s one of his favourite aspects of acting. Of course being able to provide some comic relief, even if it’s a serious role, is hugely important to Derek. Like music, he says, laughter is a universal language. And that speaks volumes to who he is as a person. You can really get a message across when people laugh and feel comfortable.
“Being out there in the community is important to me because of my platform. If I can do something in some way, even if that’s just being known, then I would like to think that helps society.”
Writing is another way Derek can contribute something positive to the world. It’s become a passion of his and not only does it serve as an outlet, but he views it as a tool to help give others perspective. He writes a weekly post on Facebook called Sunday Morning Musings, where he discusses issues of faith. Every second month Derek contributes a column to a local seniors magazine called Speaking Faithfully. He co-hosts a morning show, Soul Matters, on Hunters Bay Radio touching on matters of “spirituality, faith and life’s big questions.”
In 2014, he self-published his first novella. Entitled Dying to Live, the fictional story weaves in some aspects of real life and chronicles the journey of a man diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease from the time he receives the diagnosis until the end of his days.
“I wrote it because I believe in the sacredness of living and dying,” Derek says. “When I started writing, it sounded like a textbook and I didn’t like that. So I put it aside and thought about how I was going to do this in a way that people will read it. It’s an amalgamation of the things I’ve experienced through my years of ministry dealing with people dying and their families.”
When he’s not wrapped up in work at the church, writing or his volunteer work, Derek enjoys getting out to play. Kayaking and hanging out with his grandson are two of his favourite things to do in his spare time.
“If I’m not enjoying it, I’m not doing it,” he says, which is a sure sign that whatever Derek is doing in his life is bringing him a lot of fulfillment.
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Nadya Tarasoff says
A wonderful write-up on a great man. He’s the reason we drive from Baysville to Huntsville every Sunday. Thank you Laura MacLean.
Eunice robertson says
As many in our community, I consider Derek a trusted friend. We do not meet often, usually while shopping in one of the local shops, but I always feel welcomed and special. We usually do a bit of catching up and yes, we laugh a lot. I helped with the Cinderella play and had a blast!!
Derek wears a lot of hats really well. We are privileged to have him in our community;he is caring, compassionate, so real and so talented, humble and gifted in countless ways.
Thank you, Derek for who you are, for what you do in our community and for your friendship.
Gloria Hartwick says
Oh my what a true and accurate description of Trinity’s Rev. Derek. We, as a congregation, are so very fortunate to have him as our minister. Going to church Sunday mornings is something I look forward to every week. I worked with Derek as church secretary for six years, years I will never forget. One great guy!!
Betty Fulton says
Thank you for a great write-up on a truly wonderful man, definitely the heart of what Huntsville is, and a huge loss to the community. We basically knew Derek though his association with the Community Theatre, he always had a listening ear, and was there for anyone who needed him, regardless of their faith, or lack thereon. You will be missed Derek, looks like God has need for your ministry in the hereafter!