I grew up in the United Church. My Dad is a United Church Ordained Minister. Not every Minister’s family is heavily involved in the life of the church but ours was. We attended Sunday services and participated in many other events around the church. When I was in my early teen years, I began co-leading the Christian Education Program (Sunday School). Later, I became the church Nursery Coordinator, a job which my eldest now does at our home church. I directed the Junior Choir and became a Junior Elder on the church Council. My best friend of 45 years and I, co-directed and organized dinner theaters to raise money for the church and I participated in many Youth And Young Adult (YAYA) programs as a participant and later a leader with the same friend. In my mid-teens, I began to feel a calling to Ordained Ministry, a call which was clear and has not changed in all these years. It took a while for me to fully respond but after taking on the role of Youth Minister at Trinity UC for 5 years and taking the Licensed Lay Worship Leadership course, my call only grew stronger. I am now in my second semester of my second year of a Master of Divinity program at St Andrew’s College, Saskatoon, SK. online.

When I am not leading worship, I am studying, writing papers, or reading something (usually academic!). I am also a stay-at-home mum with two busy young ladies, Jillian (18) and Alex (12). If/when I get time to myself, I enjoy sewing, knitting, puzzles, Sharpie markers, walking outside, gardening in the spring and summer, and watching movies. Currently, I am taking time off for my voice to rest, but I sing first soprano with the Canadian Centennial Choir, who I’ve been with for nearly 16 years. I am also a Spiritual Care Volunteer with a program called Spiritual Care in Secondary Schools which partners with the OCDSB. I volunteer once a week in a classroom and in the lobby at lunchtime connecting with staff and students as a support person at Woodroffe High School.

A theme I keep coming back to when I reflect on my ministry is the radical love and inclusion of Jesus the Christ. He taught about and showed love for all people, regardless of who they were or who society deemed them to be. It’s not always easy but I’m sure Jesus didn’t find it always easy either. He sometimes had to remove himself from the crowd to take a break. And sometimes, he had to flip tables to make a point. I have no intention of flipping tables but I appreciate the passion behind the action, a passion that comes from radical love from God and for all people. There are several hymns which resonate with me. I can’t say I have a favourite but I do love Voices United 299, Teach Me, God, To Wonder. I think, as adults, we still need to be taught to wonder at the world and our place in it. What we never have to wonder about is that God loves us.

I have a long history with CMUC. My husband, Jonathan, and I began attending CMUC in 2001, when I worked for the daycare. Our children were baptized at CMUC and we have been blessed to continue to be connected with the community. We relocated from CMUC when I started as Youth Minister at Trinity UC and are now closer to home at City View UC. But when I come to CMUC, it feels like coming back home. It has been a joy to be part of the CMUC Transition Team! CMUC has been very gracious and supportive of my unfolding ministry, and the other worship leaders have been great to work with. I deeply appreciate the warm welcome and willingness to participate in various things from the community whenever I am there. The conversation following worship is always good, as are the tea and goodies! I say it every time but CMUC does food very well!

Transitioning to new leadership is always a challenge in many ways. But CMUC is a well-oiled machine, grounded in God’s love that clearly flows through the community. On the coldest winter days, I can always count on CMUC being a place of warmth and welcome. As the search continues, may you all continue the wonderful work you do, feeling the Spirit move among you, remembering that you do not do this work alone. May you be blessed, for you are a blessing.