Blog

Full Index

Everything we post on a regular basis in our website in different categories, appears in this index by chronological order, newest entries at the top.

Debbie Voss Coss

Debbie Voss Coss

Profiles  Commissioning   2000, at Portage la Prairie in Conference of Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Program of Formation   Five-year program at the Centre for Christian Studies, which I began when CCS was in Toronto, and completed after the move to Winnipeg.   I...

Jen Dresser

Jen Dresser

Profiles  Commissioned to Diaconal Ministry  in 2009, at Sherwood Park, Alberta and Northwest Conference Program of Formation The four year program at CCS. Field placements included a Lutheran-United Shared Ministry in Spiritwood, Sask and a Women’s Shelter in...

Bessie Julien Dayfoot

Bessie Julien Dayfoot

In Memorium Bessie Julien was born in Wheatley, in southwestern Ontario in 1918, the second of 4 children, into an active Methodist family. Her mother was in the Woman’s Missionary Society (WMS) and hosted visiting missionaries upon occasion. That is where Bessie...

Maria (Shepherd) Joyea

Maria (Shepherd) Joyea

In Memorium  Maria Joyea, Miyocasatawiskwew, Good Claw Woman, born March 30, 1935, was a respected elder of the Whitebear First Nation in Saskatchewan and she served First Nations people throughout the Canadian prairies and across the border in Montana and North...

Colleen Erb

Colleen Erb

In Memorium  Colleen Erb fell in love with music and God at an early age. She lived a full life as teacher, pastor and theological reflector. When invited to give a title to her life story she suggested, “Feasting on a life’s journey.” Colleen was born in...

Elinor Cox

Elinor Cox

In Memorium  Elinor Cox served the United Church as a Deaconess/Diaconal minister from 1956 until her retirement in 1991.  She continued to a provide ministry as a volunteer at St. Andrew’s, Moose Jaw. At her funeral it was said of her, “In a way, Elinor was the...

Debra Kigar

Debra Kigar

Profiles  Commissioning    I was commissioned in 2011, Hamilton Conference Program of Formation   4 year program at CCS in Winnipeg Many experiences had a role in my diaconal formation: Field placements at Five Oaks, Bethel Stone UC, Lowville-Nelson United...

YoonOk Shin-Kang

YoonOk Shin-Kang

Profiles  Commissioning   I was commissioned June 3, 2000 at MacDougall United Church in Edmonton Alberta. Program of Formation   I studied in the 5-year Regional Program at the Centre for Christian Studies both in Toronto and Winnipeg.  I also took some of my...

Kathy Douglas

Kathy Douglas

Profiles  Commissioned in 2008 Settled to Huron-Perth Presbytery Youth Minister -full time In 2019, with church restructuring, Kathy became the Minister, Faith Formation for three regions in Southwestern Ontario…Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, &...

Tammy Allan

Tammy Allan

Profiles  Tammy Allan was commissioned in 2000, at McDougall United Church in Edmonton, at the Service of Celebration for Alberta and Northwest Conference. Her Program of Formation was as a member of the Regional ’95 group, at the Centre for Christian Studies...

Joan Tuchlinskly

Joan Tuchlinskly

Profiles  Commissioning      2000, in Winnipeg Program of Formation    Diploma in Diaconal Ministries: Studies in Transformation and Action What called you to diaconal ministry?    I remember being at church, picking up a Centre for Christian Studies newsletter,...

Debra Schweyer

Debra Schweyer

Profiles  Commissioning     I was born and raised in Toronto. My home congregation was, as far as I know, the United Church’s first tri-congregational church building, established in the 60’s. It was a cinder block building with three sanctuaries and crazy...

Mark Laird

Mark Laird

Profiles  Year of Commissioning      Hopefully 2015 Program of Formation      Four year program at CCS What called you to diaconal ministry?  I was called to diaconal ministry through a desire to work in education.  After not being admitted to Teachers’ College I...

Terrie Chedore

Terrie Chedore

“Diaconal ministry is a model of ministry that embraces a strong commitment to lay involvement. I have chosen to work on the edge of the church encouraging a diaconal style of ministry for all people.”

Ted Dodd

Ted Dodd

“The diaconal community offers accountability for growth-oriented and prophetic questioning, non-hierarchical inclusivity, consultative collegiality, mutuality in accompaniment and I continue to long to be officially a part of this kind of ongoing, intentional feedback and responsible discerning.”