by Betty Bardswich
MINDEMOYA—Sunday, September 24 was a red-letter day for the members of the Trinity Manitoulin United Church in Mindemoya as they celebrated a special Covenanting service, installing Kim Inglis as a full time Diaconal Ministry student serving the local Manitoulin congregation.
As the United Church prescribes, a new appointment is celebrated through a formal installation service which celebrates the pastoral relationship and spiritual covenant between God, the ministry personnel, the community of faith and the wider church as represented by the regional council.
As Church Council Chair Marion Sloss explained, “Going back to 2017, Mindemoya, Providence Bay and Kagawong United Churches amalgamated to become Trinity Manitoulin United Church. In 2020, we found ourselves without ministry personnel and were reliant on “pulpit supply” (preachers assigned on an ad hoc basis from other churches) during and after the Covid shutdown. During and after this period, with hopeful hearts, we moved forward with the accessible lift and washroom construction. In the Fall of 2021, we were, and still are, blessed with a pianist who brings the gift of music to the congregation each week. In August of 2022, a phone call came from a student for the Diaconal Ministry, saying she would like to do some pulpit supply during the Fall. This offer of pulpit supply evolved into hiring Kim Inglis, a Candidate for Diaconal Ministry, as of July 1, 2023, on a half-time basis during her third year of Diaconal Ministry studies. But on this special day, Ms. Inglis will take over full duties.”
Ms. Inglis lives in Providence Bay and loves Manitoulin. “The Island is very welcoming,” she said. “There is a spirituality. It makes one feel welcome.” She went on to say that “today represents belonging and hope for this community and for the community of faith.”
Ms. Inglis has two more years—one year of studies and a year of integration—before she will officially be ordained a United Church minister.
The Covenanting ceremony began with welcoming remarks by presider Reverend Mercedes Hughes. “As we enter into this scared time together,” Reverend Hughes said, “let us remember that we gather in Christ’s light, here in this church community in Mindemoya that sits on the traditional territory of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa, many of whom continue to live and work here today. They are the ancestors of the Three Fires Confederacy. Today, this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and acknowledging reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of the Indigenous peoples.”
The next speaker was Barbara Nott, chairperson of the Canadian Shield Regional Council of the United Church of Canada who brought greetings from that body. The Act of Covenanting began with Ms. Sloss saying, “I present Kim Inglis who has been appointed to the Ministry of Education, Social Justice and Pastoral Care in the name of Trinity Manitoulin United. We believe that Kim is qualified and has been prayerfully and lawfully selected.” Ms. Nott added that Ms. Inglis was responding to an appointment within the Canadian Shield Region and that the members are called to join her in worship, study, prayer and action. She went on to say that the Canadian Shield Region will be responsible for the support and accountability of this ministry.
“To all who are gathered here today, “Ms. Nott said, “you have appointed Kim Inglis to serve in various capacities. Kim will need your support, encouragement and love. God invites us into communities of faith where we can work and pray together with openness and integrity, where we can experience grace and forgiveness, where gifts are able to be offered and received, and where, in spite of differences, we gather around the table Christ sets in our midst. On behalf of Canadian Shield Region, The United Church of Canada, I ask you: “Will you respond with Kim to God’s call of worship, growth, outreach and spiritual practice within the church and the world?”
The congregation replied, “We will, by the Grace of God.”
As always, the Trinity Manitoulin United Church service began and ended with song thanks to pianist Shelley Lanktree and choir members Murray and Jan Arnold, Wayne Neil and Jane Stewart. Ms. Stewart, singer/guitarist, performed a song entitled ‘Let Me Be a Living Statue.’ The service ended with the benediction ‘You Shall Go Out with Joy.’
