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Montreal Dio is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Stilwell as its first Director of Community-Based Formation. This newly created position reflects the college’s commitment to developing innovative forms of theological education that strengthen churches and communities of faith as places of learning, discernment, and transformational ministry.
As Director of Community-Based Formation, Jessica will lead the college’s efforts to design and implement new models of lay, continuing, and community-based education in both English and French. Working collaboratively with churches, denominational partners, faculty, and community leaders, she will help create programs that are accessible, relational, and responsive to the opportunities and challenges facing the church today.
Jessica brings a rich combination of academic formation, community engagement, and educational leadership to this role. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Practical Theology at the Université de Montréal, where her research explores how Christian communities can respond faithfully to contemporary challenges. She also holds a Certificate in Bilingual Ministry from Montreal Dio and degrees from McGill University.
Throughout her career, Jessica has demonstrated a deep commitment to community education and collaborative learning. Her experience includes developing ecotheological programming at Westmount Park United Church, coordinating community-based initiatives in Montreal, teaching in university and church settings, and facilitating educational programs that draw on the gifts and wisdom already present within local communities.
In her application, Jessica articulated a vision of theological education grounded in relationships and mutual learning. She emphasized that meaningful formation emerges not only from academic expertise but also from the knowledge, experience, and spiritual insights that communities themselves bring to the learning process.
“I am inspired by this role’s vision of theological formation as something that can—and already does!—take place in faith communities, as and where they are,” said Jessica Stilwell. “It will be a real privilege to work and learn together with these communities, continuing education students, and the whole College community as we construct and discover the tools we need to respond to God’s calling for our time and in our places.”
“In the job advertisement, we said we were looking for someone who understands the church in a moment of significant transition and is energized and not daunted by that reality,” said Jesse Zink, Principal of Montreal Dio. “In Jessica, we have found that person. Throughout the search process, Jessica demonstrated a remarkable ability to think creatively about how churches learn together and how theological education can be rooted in the realities of local communities. Her commitment to relationship-building, background in collaborative learning, and exceptional competency in both of Canada’s official languages makes her well suited to help shape this new area of the college’s work.”
Jessica’s appointment comes at an exciting moment for the college and for the churches it serves. As congregations navigate significant change and seek new ways of nurturing faith, leadership, and mission, the Community-Based Formation program will explore fresh approaches to theological education that are accessible, practical, and grounded in the life of local communities. This position is funded in part by Dio’s participation in the Reimagining Theological Education Initiative of the United Church of Canada.