Attn: Religion, News Editors

Canadian Bible Society mourns Rev. Douglas Woods, District Director for Prince Edward Island

TORONTO — The Canadian Bible Society announces with sorrow the death of Rev. Douglas Woods, district director for Prince Edward Island. Woods died Friday, September 9, 2005 following a sudden heart attack. He was 70.

As district director since 2000, Woods oversaw the operations of the Bible Society in Canada’s smallest province while working closely with Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Mainline Protestant and Evangelical churches to provide Scriptures wherever they were needed.

Prior to his work with the Bible Society, he served for 26 years as a minister with the United Church of Canada throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI.

He was a graduate of The Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of our co-worker and friend,” says Rev. Phyllis Nesbitt, national director of the Canadian Bible Society. “Doug will be greatly missed by his colleagues here at the Bible Society.”

“When I think of Doug I remember the verse in Hebrews 11:6, ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ Doug was a man of faith and therefore was pleasing to God as he was to each one of us.”

Woods believed the Bible formed the foundation of the Christian faith, and he encouraged others to read it for its life-changing potential. He recently commented that he loved his work with the Canadian Bible Society because he enjoyed, “the ecumenical spirit and the fellowship of sharing the Good News” wherever his duties took him.

Woods resided in Charlottetown. He leaves behind his wife Norma, four grown children and seven grandchildren.