Greetings,

I am looking forward to May 1! I can’t wait to connect with my new church family and meet many of you “again for the first time” …now as one of your ministers. In the meantime, I’m all about saying goodbye and being fully present for my beloved Rothwell United Church just over in Beacon Hill.

My story with Orleans began in the summer of 1981 when my family moved from Beacon Hill to Convent Glen. My story with OUC began some six years later, when I was fifteen…specifically through the Youth Group and Teen Church while we were at Garneau. It was at OUC I felt a tug toward ministry (I had wanted to be a teacher or a social worker) and OUC said “Yes! Let’s do this!” I will be forever grateful for the support of my home congregation.

I left Orleans in 1995 to attend Queen’s Theological College. After I was ordained in 1999, I spent time in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Southwestern Ontario, the Seaway Valley, and most recently at Rothwell where I have been serving for fifteen years.

I moved back to Orleans in 2009. It’s my hometown. I have been engaged in our community ever since serving on the Chateauneuf Community Association, enjoying the company of my neighbours, and forming good relationships with our city counsellors. My two sons, Aidan (20) and Isaac (18) attended Convent Glen Elementary, Henry Larsen, and following my footsteps, Cairine Wilson (I went to Terry Fox the year it opened).

I’ve also been involved at OUC through VIRTCH. I am over the moon to be working with Rev. Molly. I am in awe of her skills, spirit, and love for all of you. I have so much to learn from her.

Orleans, with our 126,000+ residents, is a veritable playground for Gospel values of inclusion, celebration, service, and ecology, and OUC is a vital part of that community. As our neighbourhood grows and grows and grows, so must our curiosity and ability to “pivot” as the Spirit leads by hopscotching our way through change with a sense of wonder, groundedness, and “play”.

I love the saying “Be blessed. Be a blessing”. My nuance is this: You are blessed. You are a blessing. Let’s shine together! There is much work…and play…to be done!

Rev. Mike