It is very
exciting to become part of the ministry team here at St. John's Presbyterian church.
I am a
"cradle" Presbyterian, a child of the manse. Dad was in parish
ministry and Mom in chaplaincy. I graduated from Knox College
in 1980 with an M.Div. and was ordained that year. Married to Richard Johnston, a
corporate-commercial lawyer, since 1985, we have two daughters. Rachel is
studying at the UofT, and Maeve is entering grade 12.
To round out the
picture, we have two dogs and two fish. Along the way I also picked up a law
degree, and though I do not practice law, am member of the Ontario Bar, in good
standing, since 1995.
My first parish
was in Ailsa Craig, Ont. Since leaving there I have done occasional ministry
and served on many committees of our church. Currently I am the chair of our
National Church Records and Archives committee. Our archives, under the stellar leadership of
Kim Arnold, has been a leader in work in Canada on the Truth and
Reconciliation initiative.
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I also sit on the
Personnel Committee of International Ministries, which gives me the opportunity
to meet many fine people who serve Christ abroad on behalf of our church. I am
the Secretary of Oikocredit - Central Canada,
part of a Christian organization conducting micro-finance world-wide.
Over the years, I
have served on Women in Ministry Committee, on the editorial board of Women's
Perspectives newsletter, and for many years assisted in the development of the
Church's Policy on Sexual Harassment and Abuse.
Most recently,
before coming to St. John's, I ministered at
Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church in West Toronto Presbytery, and participated in
bringing about the amalgamation of Pine Ridge and Albion Gardens
to form Fellowship Presbyterian.
I look forward to
getting to know the wonderful people I have met here even better, and to
becoming your minister.
Maureen Walter
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