Love is in the Division – Not Oult of Love Yet
Across the maritimes, officers and salvationist couples are working side-by-side to bring hope, transform communities and lead through ministry. This valentine’s day, we are highlighting three couples from our maritime divisional headquarters that are making an impact together.
While they spend their days in different departments, salvationists Murray and Ronalda Oulton recently began working together at divisional headquarters – fitting for a couple who were both raised in, married, and still attend the Salvation Army church, the one where they met more than two decades ago.
“My dad was in the military so we moved around. But in each community we lived in we attended the local Salvation Army church,” says Murray. “When I was 18 years old, I decided to move to Halifax. Following tradition, I began attending Fairview Citadel.”
Ronalda herself is a third-generation Salvationist. Growing up with officer parents, she was also accustomed to moving throughout her childhood. But even when her parents were appointed to Fairview Citadel in Halifax and she made the decision to go with them.
“I was 20 years old at the time so I could have stayed, but I decided to go,” says Ronalda. “And I’m so grateful I did, because that’s where I met Murray.”
The couple began working together as youth leaders in the summer of 1994. Just a year and a half later, they were married and beginning their careers in Halifax.
“For the first 22 years of our marriage, we didn’t work for the same organization,” says Ronalda, who has worked at The Salvation Army Maritime Division for almost 20 years. “We had separate places of work just like most couples.”
But when the opportunity came up for Murray to become the divisional property maintenance coordinator two years ago, he simply couldn’t turn down the chance to work for the organization he has been a part of his entire life.
“The role encompasses spending half of the year in the office, and half of the year focusing on Scotian Glen camp,” says Murray. “It’s a meaningful role, one I’ve always been interested in.”
When Murray accepted the position, Ronalda knew it would be different. As the executive assistant to the senior management team, she’s seen many changes over the years, but this is one she hadn’t experienced yet.
“It was really different at first,” continues Ronalda. “We get up together, commute together, pass each other in the hallway. We even eat lunch together during the time he isn’t at Scotian Glen.”
Today, Ronalda couldn’t be happier to have her husband in the office. The added time together has made it easier to communicate and spend time with each other.
“I love having him here,” she smiles. “I really do.”
By: Angela Rafuse
