Commissioning to Diaconal ministry

1994, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Conference

Program of Formation

The Western Field-Based Program, 1st intake. It was offered from St. Stephen’s College on the campus of the University of Alberta.  It was a five-year program where students remained in their home communities while gathering at times for community learning.  Articles on the Diakonia website give a fuller description.

What called you to diaconal ministry?

Sounds weird, but as I entered an annual Conference meeting there was a voice that said, “It’s time for a change.”  I spent several months with my spouse and friends exploring what I was called to do next. Ministry  – or acting – were the two choices that kept coming up. I chose acting – twice.  But it didn’t feel right. When I learned that drama could be seen as a ministry within the context of diaconal ministry – that was it!

Describe some of your experiences of ministry

• First self-declared person to be commissioned to Diaconal Ministry.
• Settled at Winnipeg Church of the Deaf and served for 6 years. I had to learn American Sign Language and did services in another language – with some fun mistakes…
• Chaplain at the University of Manitoba.
• My partner and I were the first ministers for Rainbow Ministry – outreach to the GLBT community from Winnipeg Presbytery
• I have served as an intentional interim minister in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

This form of diaconal ministry is so enriching. We work together as learner and teacher and then Pentecost happens! The Spirit is felt and new visions are created. It affirms for all of us in the process that God has done and can still do marvellous things.

• Worked with a great team at Selkirk United for 3 years
• Have served in several Presbytery, Conference and National positions
• Was treasurer for Affirm United for 7 years
• Was President of  M and NWO Conference

How I explain diaconal ministry to others….

It’s a style where we learn and grow together using the skills we all have.

My training is a gift to share, not a power position to take over and tell others what to do.

We learn to recognize and encourage the gifts in others.

We are called to challenge powers, support those oppressed and to show the love of God in all that we do.

What gives you the most satisfaction, reward, sense of fulfillment from the ministry you do?

I love it when an individual or a congregation “gets it.” They have a Pentecost moment when the spirit grabs them and their whole being and vision shifts. Sometimes they do glow!