Voluntary Associate Minister: Rev. Marilyn Burnard
I grew up in the United Church of Canada and it has always been a significant part of my life. I decided very early in life that I was going to be a nurse. My nursing career spanned years at the Hospital for Sick Children and then at Oshawa General Hospital.
While I was in Oshawa, I started to feel the call to ministry. I spent time exploring that call but then my children were all dealing with health issues and I focussed on attending to them. I became involved with the health ministry, specifically Parish Nursing and this led me back to that earlier call. It was an exciting journey of exploring my faith and how I was being called to respond. I pursued my training at the Centre for Christian Studies based in Winnipeg.
I was very blessed to be settled in the Community Outreach Ministry that I had been working in at the time. It was a very rewarding time in my life. I was very privileged to accompany marginalized people in the most challenging times of their lives. I was welcomed into their lives in ways that touched me deeply.
It was during this time that I also had the opportunity to serve in a congregation which opened me to another very meaningful ministry and I served there until it was time to retire.
I am pleased to serve as a Voluntary Associate Minister at Zion. I believe that Zion has much to offer its members as well as the surrounding community.
In retirement, Tom and I are enjoying the wonderful time that we share with our grandchildren, # 11 is on the way. We have enjoyed many hours travelling across Canada, Alaska and most of the northern States, many of those miles on motorcycle.
My faith beliefs are my roots, what holds me grounded. Each day I find joy in the many natural wonders around us. In each small encounter as well as the more grand ones, I see the hand of God. In the toughest moments of my life, I know I am never alone and I can truly say, thanks be to God.
CE & Youth Coordinator: Kathy Poirier
Email: zionyouth@bellnet.ca
Church Administrator: Jennifer Meyer
Email: zionunitedchurch@bellnet.ca
Jennifer grew up in Toronto, but always wanted to live in a small town, a hope that was fulfilled when she moved to Baden 15 years ago, where she still resides and raises her young family. She began her time at Zion in April 2011, and is grateful for how quickly she was made to feel part of the Zion family. When not helping her children with their homework, or doing laundry, Jennifer enjoys reading, baking and cottaging, and believes she would be very crafty, if only she had been blessed with the skills!