Report To All Seasons Church

Halworth Pastoral Charge

Reverend Dr Valerie-Dawn Ruddell FCCT
BA.[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]

Firstly, an update on my latest award and form of recognition. This information appeared in several professional publications and local newspapers early in 2008.

Dr. Valerie-Dawn Ruddell FCCT is the 2007 recipient of THE GEORGE CROSKERY MEMORIAL AWARD. The award is the highest honour of The Canadian College of Teachers- A National Learned Society Within The Teaching Profession and is given “...in recognition of exceptional achievement and service to Education in Canada.” Dr. Ruddell has served meritoriously at the regional, national and international levels as an educator and also as a senior bureaucrat with The Ontario Ministry of Education and The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities. In addition, Dr. Valerie-Dawn Ruddell has been honoured as Directer Emerita by the International Council on Education for Teaching, an NGO of UNESCO, for long and devoted service to ICET’s global education mission. Since 1985 Dr. Valerie-Dawn “... has represented Canada with distinction, as a Director of ICET, contributing her leadership and expertise to improve the quality of teacher education around the world.” .

Current information on HALWORTH PASTORAL CHARGE is as follows:


With my semi-retired adjunct status it is understandable that my university focused Ministry has shifted somewhat to two additional areas. I have an active volunteer Ministry to seniors with a focus on 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” and my membership in The Sacred Dance Guild. A recent workshop was for two hundred middle aged and senior women.

The inclusive nature and non denominational aspect of my association with All Seasons enables me to work within all Christian denominations and I continue do so. Principally these include the Presbyterian, United, Methodist, Evangelical, Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic churches. My ecumenical work continues with the Jewish community through my work with my dance team the ANI MA’ AMIN [I BELIEVE] dancers.

Currently I am preparing drama/dance to be utilized through personal performance with a Hamilton municipal volunteer theatre group devoted to addressing the social needs and protection of seniors. The production is scheduled for June 15th with filming considerations.

My extensive music Ministry with The Good News Choral, The Rich Harmony Singers and the Burlington Choral Society takes me into local nursing homes to minister on an on going basis. Also, I minister, weekly, 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 centres to bring a measure of joy, reassurance and faith into the lives of their residents and staff. I have some involvement with The Compassion Society of Burlington and have recently been invited to serve on the board of IDEA Burlington [Inter Denominational Education Association] Their mandate includes peace and social justice issues. I am a long time member of the association.

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.

For your statistical records my last officiant role for a wedding was October 31, 2006 and for a funeral was April 30, 2007. Clearly, when one’s charge is primarily with seniors, there are too few weddings and too many funerals. Unfortunately, there are four funerals imminent.

It might be appropriate to mention that I neither charge for my services nor do I expect a free will offeringRespectfully submitted,

(Rev. Dr.) Valerie-Dawn Ruddell FCCT

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