A Happy Couple in s Sometimes Conflicted Church. By Dave Jaffe. Part Six.
The Unitarian Church of Vancouver didn't only attract talented musicians and visual artists. One of Canada's well known novelists, Margaret Laurence came to this church in the 1960's. Later she returned to Ontario.
The church also had among its members some very clever people. "David Donaldson is a brilliant economist ," Jennifer Wade said about Donaldson. This was true. Donaldson taught for many years at UBC. Then there was John Smith, a tall talented mathematician who worked with mathematically challenged youngsters at the B.C. Institute of Technology. A married couple, Merva and Wally Cottle both taught histology or the science of tissues at UBC.
Wally Cottle was a scrapper who told the minister Sydney Morris, "I'm going to get rid of you." And he did. Another clever teacher was Joyce Griffiths who had many children. "I don't bring them all together at one time," she once confessed. "If they all get together, they usually end up arguing." Griffiths had a Master of Science in physics and taught for many years at the B.C. Institute of Technology.
Randy Mackinnon had a Masters of Arts in the social sciences. This ambitious man from Alberta found a true outlet for his talents by setting up philosopher's cafes at the Unitarian Church on Friday nights. They proved to be very popular. "This church meets all my needs," Mackinnon said as his philosopher's cafes were in full swing.
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