All Seasons Church of Canada
Pastoral Care – Port Perry ON


A turning point in a person’s life is a moment in time when a change takes place. Usually it is something important and life altering and can be called a milestone or a landmark moment. These events may be joyous or moments that are accompanied by pain or sorrow.

Every person undergoes these key changes in life. Although the intensity may vary from person to person, these special moments allow us to connect with and celebrate life itself.

I consider it a privilege to provide pastoral care to individuals and families who have no church connection or who embrace more spiritual teachings. Through All Seasons Church of Canada, I am able to help people create and capture memories to honour life’s turning points. To assist me in this endeavour I draw upon my theological training at a United Church theological college, almost 20 years in ministry within the United Church of Canada. Over the last five years, my life has been enriched by the elements of spirituality which resonates through all of my pastoral care.

For the first time this year I was contacted to be the celebrant at two baptism services. What a tremendous opportunity to welcome a child into your family and publically declare your love. By gathering together on this occasion,  family and friends offer you their support as you parent this child through life. Both families commented that it meant more to them that they were able to have the service in a setting that represented their philosophy of life and that allowed them the opportunity to create the service. My services incorporated holy water from the Jordan River, readings by grandmothers, inclusion of godparents and elements of nature and the spiritual importance of nature.

As a Ordained clergy through All Seasons Church, I am pleased to help couples celebrate their special day. All Seasons  envisions that this life turning point should reflect "your wedding.... your way," by specializing in personalized, civil, non-denominational weddings or spiritual wedding ceremonies. This year I presided over 21 weddings in various settings within Durham Region. All weddings are as unique as the couples being married and I treasure all memories from these services. After a service in May I could state that I had married 2 daughters and the mother of one family. In October I presided over a service for a couple almost two years to the date that his daughter was married by me. The web of life and its interconnectedness definitely became apparent.

Celebrating the life of a loved one is a deeply personal opportunity. Learning to live without the daily physical presence of a loved one is indeed a journey. Meaningful celebration of life ceremonies can be a vital and integrative part of beginning to heal from loss. In order to help celebrate a loved one’s life, I meet with families and friends. We share stories and memories and talk about the elements of the service that will be meaningful and helpful. I work closely with 2 funeral homes in Port Perry and occasionally with 1 in Lindsay. This year I was blessed to journey with 23 families and loved ones.

Through one on one consultation and/or groups, I seek to offer compassionate, confidential support and grief education. This year I provided grief education for 3 individuals. I also provided a 10 week training session for people seeking to facilitate loss specific bereavement groups.

I have received positive feedback for my pastoral care – one couple even wrote a poem honouring me as a celebrant! I am so thankful that I am part of the All Seasons Church of Canada and I will continue to provide my outreach ministry and pastoral care in the year 2009.


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