2008 Report To All Seasons Church

Halworth Pastoral Charge

THE REV. DR. VALERIE-DAWN RUDDELL   FCCT
B.A. [Political Science and Economics, McMASTER University]
B.P.E. [Physical Education, McMASTER University]
M.R.E. [Religious Education, McMASTER University]
M.Ed. [Adult Education, University of TORONTO]
D.MIN. [Ministry,  McMASTER University]

Dr. Valerie-Dawn Ruddell   FCCT is the 2008 recipient of The Angel of the Year Award of The Council Against The Abuse of Older Persons and a 2009 recipient of an Award of Appreciation from The Compassion Society of Burlington, Ontario .

Current information on HALWORTH PASTORAL CHARGE is as follows:

As reported in 2008 my semi-retired adjunct status has caused a shift in my focus of Ministry. Currently, I have an active volunteer Ministry to seniors with a nucleus of  visitations, counseling and music. I continue my all ages workshops on prayer, praise and worship through movement and continue personally to perform and choreograph for Liturgical  Dance .  You may recall my former and extensive involvement with The CROSSROADS   TV Ministry through the productions of  “THE. FEAST OF FEASTS”  and  “THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES”.  I minister through music with The Rich Harmony Singers, The Niagara Diocesan Choir and the Good News Chorale.  I have additional community theatrical and musical involvements not related to ministry.

The inclusive nature and non  denominational aspect of my association with All Seasons  and my thirty years with The St George Mission Society enable me to work within all Christian denominations and interfaith groups. I continue to do so.  Principally these include the Presbyterian, United, Methodist, Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic and Anglican churches. My ecumenical work continues with the Jewish community through my work with my dance team the ANI MA’ AMIN  [I BELIEVE] dancers.  I participated in a Women’s Seder this Spring.

Currently I serve on The Board of IDEA [Interfaith Development Education Association] Burlington where we are involved in social justice issues.  My Board colleagues represent additional world religions including  the Islamic  and Baha’i  faiths.  One of my great joys is to officiate at interfaith gatherings including marriages.

The production, performance and filming of work for The Council Against The Abuse of Older Persons started in 2008 was completed with considerable community input and success

My extensive music Ministry with The Good News Choral, The Rich Harmony  Singers , The Burlington Choral Society  and The Niagara Diocesan Choir has taken me into local nursing homes to minister on an on going basis. Also, I minister as a cantor in the Byzantine Catholic Church where I am also the pastoral assistant.  All members of   this congregation are seniors.

Several times a week I visit residents in nursing homes, hospitals, palliative care and rehabilitation centers  to bring a measure of joy, reassurance and faith into the lives of both residents and staff.  I have some involvement with  The Compassion Society of Burlington.
In the Bereavement Ontario Members’ Handbook my workshops on Healing Through Movement, Movement as Prayer and Movement as Unification of Mind, Body and Spirit are listed.
When one’s charge is primarily with seniors, there continue to be too few weddings and too many funerals.


Respectfully submitted,

(Rev. Dr.) Valerie-Dawn Ruddell FCCT

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