I was born and raised in Toronto in the middle of the last century.  I was baptized as an infant. I attended weekly Sunday School classes in a United Church, throughout my childhood.  During my teen years, I began to feel bored with the youth group, so decided to leave the church.  This was during the 1960s when there were a lot of competing interests going on – civil unrest and riots in the United States; the Vietnam War and resulting protests; Indigenous populations trying to find their voice; the hippy movement; the “British Invasion” of musicians; a variety of competing clothing styles.  So many competing “voices” trying to heard. 

Starting during my pre-teen years and continuing throughout the rest of my life, the mistreatment of inmates and the oppression of Black Americans as well as native peoples across North America, spoke strongly to me.  The knowledge that some innocent people may be languishing in prison for a crime they did not commit, came to my conscious mind at age 9 when I read and cut out a poem, now included in my scrapbook. This poem, written by Pierre Berton and published in the Toronto Star, was entitled “A Requiem for a Fourteen-Year-Old”.  The poem was about Steven Truscott who had been sentenced to hang.  At 9 years of age, I had no idea what the word “Requiem” meant but I did know that someone close to my age was in jail, waiting to receive the ultimate form of capital punishment within two months.  I could not fathom how that could happen.  It seemed to be so unfair.  This influential poem can be found on the internet, if you would like to read it.  

Between my early 20s and this year, I have moved through the roles of being a proud mother to two children, grandmother of four grandchildren and great-grandmother to two great-grandchildren.  I love them all!  They have enriched my life in so many countless ways!   

During the mid-1990s, I was going through a difficult personal time and although I had not attended church for several years, I felt drawn to speak with a Salvation Army Captain.  After listening to my tale of woe, he said he wanted me to meet his personal friend and Saviour.  It was at that time I accepted Christ into my heart.  It was a life-changing moment!   

But it was not until the late 1990s that I started attending church on a regular basis again.  The very friendly parishioners in an Upper Ottawa Valley Anglican Church welcomed me “home”.  They sponsored me as a candidate at a Cursillo weekend.  I was one of two adults to be confirmed, that same year!   

And in 2003 I finally responded to the long-time call to become involved in prison ministry, which necessitated moving to Kingston, ON, “prison capital of Canada”.  Moving to a new city for volunteering purposes did not make much sense, however God opened all the doors to make this possible including providing a home to live in and a full-time job.  In 2019 I was offered employment as a full-time Chaplain at Collins Bay – Minimum Unit, where I continue to minister.   

In 2008, two people asked if I had given any consideration to entering into the diaconate.  At that time the idea of being in any ordained clergy role was far from thought.  But eventually that call was answered as well.  

In 2012 I was ordained as a Deacon at The Cathedral Church of St. George, Kingston, ON.  In 2020 I was appointed an honorary Canon in the Cathedral.   

A big part of diaconal formation involves a study of theology.  The Diocese of Ontario has an established education course to follow.  Because I was working full-time, attending in-person or online college classes was not an option.  A friend who had recently been ordained a deacon, suggested visiting the Montreal Diocesan Theological College website to learn about the Reading and Tutorial Program, a distance-learning study program.  R & T not only covered the compulsory subjects the Diocese of Ontario required, but also included several additional relevant topics!   

The Reading and Tutorial study program has been updated over the years to include timely and relevant topics such Christian Ethics, Mission in a Global World and World Religions.  Prison chaplaincy is not only ecumenical in nature but also multi-faith.  The Reading and Tutorial program has proven valuable in ministering in such a diverse population.  

I am grateful for the Reading and Tutorial Program and have promoted it to anyone who has been thinking about studying theology, but are not able to attend in-person or online classes because of work commitments. 

My hope is that this important program can continue to be offered for years to come.  And for that reason, I have been a sponsor of the College for several years.  The distance-learning program, as well as the in-person programs offered by the College provide important, relevant training for new ministers of the Word, particularly in the current world climate. 

The role of a deacon is to take the Gospel message out from the church into the outside community.  And to bring the needs and concerns of the outside community to the attention of the church, advocating on their behalf.  The programs offered through the Montreal Diocesan Theological College empower graduates to go out into the world, to spread this Good News! 

Thanks be to God!  Amen. 

Reverend Canon Sharon Dunlop