That was a wonderful opportunity for a young person to become involved in the life and work of the church.  St. Michael And All Angels parish embraced a diverse multicultural community and welcomed new forms of liturgy and music into its worship experience.

During that time, Robin’s sense of call deepened.  The Anglican Church was just beginning its discernment process for the ordination of women.  After prayerful consideration, she applied to Emmanuel College to begin studies in Theology.  She transferred her membership to the United Church of Canada – Timothy Eaton Memorial Church – and was ordained in Parry Sound in 1982.

She was settled in the Sebright-Rama pastoral charge, Lindsay Presbytery.  It was there that she first lived in the native community and served four rural churches.  The learnings from that ministry continue to weave a special place in her heart and have shaped her understanding of justice and compassion.

During her years of service in the ministry Robin has served both inner city ministries and rural communities.  She was blessed with a long term ministry in Scarborough where the focus was on children and youth ministries. They welcomed youth from all over the area and had a very active youth group. The children’s ministry developed a puppet ministry which created alternative liturgical experiences and provided many opportunities for gifts to be uplifted and shared.

During those years Robin’s family responsibilities increased as she cared for her Mother who had Parkinson’s Disease. She would serve on Georgian Island in the First Nation Community and transport her mother by barge to her residence there. That was a sacred time together. She shared ministry there part-time with Bethesda until she began full time ministry there. Her Mother, due to her health issues, could no longer be transported to the island.

Bethesda of Forest Glen United Church in Mississauga was an inner city multi-cultural community of faith, serving the east side of Mississauga. They provided outreach ministries throughout Mississauga by supporting the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Ministries which was founded by one of their families.  They began an amalgamation process with 4 churches in East Mississauga which saw a shared ministry develop with Applewood United Church.

In St John’s Alliston, Robin served as pastoral care Minister and children and youth Minister. That was an amazing opportunity to serve in a town setting and continue her studies in Education.  During that time her personal life changed dramatically.  She met Rick and began to seek part-time ministries in order to stay in Ajax.  She found herself led to return full circle to the Brechin and Atherley Churches.  That ministry held many memories for her, both personal and professional. She was settled in her early years in the neighbouring pastoral charge and had spent her summers with family just north of Atherley.  Her spiritual roots were long established in that area.  It was like going home.  She would serve part- time Ministry and train as a Montessori teacher.

Through the years God opened doors of service, and Queen St. United Church was one of those doors God opened.  That Ministry has always been close to her heart. The church served the east side of Lindsay with outreach ministries such as the local food bank and thrift shop.  Queen St. United has always stood with the marginalized members of the community and actively participated in the National Church Racism and Anti Racism study. That issue touched the very heart of the community.

Today Robin is blessed to be serving in part-time ministries closer to her home. She is serving Trinity United Church, Malton, on a part-time basis and she has been seeking new pastoral work as the Queen St. church will be closing at year end. Robin has been blessed with the opportunity to serve the United Church over the years and is very happy to be serving here at Knox United Church, Agincourt.