Gwen McAllister was ordained to the priesthood on April 24 at St. John’s Cathedral. She begins her ministry with the people of St. Matthew’s parish on May 1. Congratulations Gwen! Above (l-r): Mark MacDonald, Gwen McAllister, Dan Thagard.
The full cathedral spoke to the number of individuals who have supported Gwen on her journey into the priesthood and the people whose lives have been touched by her ministry. She was ordained a deacon at the consecration of the new St. Matthew’s worship space when the church converted their huge nave into affordable housing (the WestEnd Commons). Above (back row, l-r): Mark MacDonald, Paul Johnson, Donald Phillips, Jane Barter Moulaison, Dan Thagard, Lorna Howell; (front): Fletcher Stewart, Maylanne Maybee, Gwen McAllister and her son Keith, Cathy Campbell.
The preacher for the occasion was national indigenous bishop Mark MacDonald, who spoke of his friendship and respect for Gwen. Bishop Mark warned against getting so caught up in the trappings of church that we forget our call to be gospel people, living and serving in the world as Jesus did.
Gwen was joined by a number of family members to celebrate with her.
Gwen completed her theological and ministerial training through the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg, a joint Anglican/United Church training institute. The long journey of studies, placements, and discernment has spanned a full decade for Gwen. Here, she is pictured with some of her instructors and fellow classmates.
