Rev. Rob Reed accepted a call to TMUC in July 2023.
Hello Folks!
It is my privilege to minister with the people of this community of faith. And how did I get here?
I studied at the Centre for Christian Studies, here in Winnipeg, while I was living in Alberta and later Saskatchewan. I was Commissioned to Diaconal Minister in 2010. One of the amazing experiences of my training at CCS was a two-week Global Perspectives Experience (GPE) in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in November-December 2008. I have a story or two, if you’re interested…
My chosen and first vocation was in the horticulture industry, where the inspiration and encouragement of my parents led me to landscape gardening. My vocation in ministry began during these years, as a volunteer in my home congregation of Camrose United Church. There I was involved with the Youth Group, Handbell Choir, Church Council and a variety of committees.
In December 2002 I began working as a Staff Associate at Sherwood Park United Church, where my focus was youth, children and families. The connections I made in youth ministry expanded my involvement to youth programs, retreats and rallies within Alberta and Northwest Conference. It was at SPUC that I began the formal discernment process and entered CCS.
In July of 2007 I accepted a student appointment with the Gainsborough-Carievale Pastoral Charge in south east Saskatchewan. I served the people of the churches and the communities of Gainsborough and Carievale for 16 years, which included the completion of my diaconal training and my Commissioning. While in Saskatchewan I was involved in the work of the church at the local, presbytery and conference levels. I was the Convenor of the Annual Meeting in the COVID year of 2020. One of the highlights from my time in Saskatchewan was being part of a worship band that formed in the pastoral charge, and leading music with that band at two annual meetings of Saskatchewan Conference.
Having served for such a length of time in one pastoral charge, I received the opportunity to take sabbatical on two different occasions. The first of these was in 2014 when my partner and I walked the 750 kilometre El Camino de Santiago de Compostela from France and across northern Spain. It is often simply referred to as The Way, and is the third most popular Christian pilgrimage after Jerusalem and Rome. Like my 2008 experience in Palestine, the Camino was transformative and easily established a place in my heart, and I have a story or two, if you’re interested…
As I serve the faith community of Transcona Memorial, I would say that justice is a significant influence and inspiration for my ministry. I am particularly eager to learn more about and contribute energy to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and the public intentional and explicit inclusion of 2S and LGBTQIA people and communities. I have trained as an intentional interim minister and am grateful for what that training has taught me about change and transition. I believe that the most necessary thing that we do as a community of faith is care for one another.
I arrived in Winnipeg with my spouse, Susan, who also accepted a call to Winnipeg in 2023, and now serves the people of North Kildonan United Church. We arrived with our two fur babies (Charlie and Simba). I have two grown children, one living in Alberta and one living in B.C.
What I offer here are sketches of my life and journey. I am always happy to share another story or two, if you’re interested…