When am I available?

What can a Lay Worship Leader do for you?

My role is to lead worship, either on Sunday, during the week where needed, with the permission of incumbent clergy, overseeing clergy (in the case of a church without a regular minister) or a faith community's worship committee. Unlike ordained clergy, I do not have a relationship with a congregation beyond Sunday morning, nor do I do sacraments (i.e. baptism and communion) nor am I licensed by the province to perform weddings.

It is up to the host church or faith community to determine the requirements for a lay worship leader and if I meet those requirements.

How did I become a Lay Worship Leader?

After a lifetime of United Church attendance, God's unexpected nudging led me out of the pews into a new territory of travelling the world, showing me the living Gospel both wherever I go and in whomever I meet.

With this new perspective, the Word came alive for me and I found myself wrestling with the lectionary text each week.

Through weaving the Word, music and prayer together with a contemporary and global perspective, I strive to connect worshippers with ways to live God's message rather than just hear God's message.

I completed the United Church's Licensed Lay Worship Leader program through Five Oaks in Southern Ontario and was licensed by Ottawa Presbytery from 2012-2016.

My education continues through attending preaching conferences such as the Festival of Homiletics and by taking courses through the Ottawa School of Theology and Spirituality.

With my husband Ken, I have been active at Trinity United Church in the village of Kars for over two decades. Over the years, I have served as chair of worship, as treasurer, on Ministry and Personnel committee, teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir.

Ken often joins me when I preach, providing music leadership on his guitar when no church musician is available.

A copy of my pulpit introduction is in printable form here.

Why do I call myself an itinerant preacher?

At the door one Sunday, someone asked me where I normally preach. The answer is I don't have a regular spot. I go wherever I'm invited somewhat like the itinerant circuit riders of the 1800s.

Unlike those circuit riders, on those Sundays when I'm not working, you'll find me at my home church of Trinity United in Kars, Ontario or as an adherent at Trinity United in Ottawa where I serve on the Second Refugee Sponsorship Committee.

Some of my favourite preaching moments

Since I have a sermon in my bag, I guess I'll park here!


Being welcomed home to preach.


This Christmas Eve blessing shows how
my life has been blessed as a worship leader!