An Introductory Message from Pastor Karen

Blessings to you, the community of Innerkip United Church, during this season of Thanksgiving.

I am looking forward to joining with all of you in worship (in whatever form that will take) beginning November 29th, the first Sunday of Advent.  I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and share a little bit about myself.

I was born in Hamilton and grew up in Dundas, ON, the eldest of two children born to John and Marylyn Beattie.  I have a younger brother, Brian, who lives in Oakville with his wife and  two children.

I have a 20 year old daughter, Katie, who is currently studying at the University of Guelph.  My life partner, Jorge, works in medical research in London and I credit him for opening my eyes to some of the amazing and unseen intricacies of Creation.

I grew up in the United Church having attended Binkley United Church as a child and youth and, later, after I was married and was living in Flamborough, I transferred my membership to Millgrove United Church.

I began my working career in Advertising and then moved into marketing management and later into sales management in the paint and coatings industry, working for a couple of different national consumer brand companies.  That work allowed me to travel and see much of Canada.  It was around 2007 that I began to sense that God was calling me out of that work and into ministry.  My discernment path was intentionally long as I tried to figure out just where I was to go, as this was quite a shift from the work I had been doing to that point.  While discerning, I worked for two years as a Congregational Designated Minister of Christian Education at Appleby United Church in Burlington.  From there, I entered the DLM program and, well, here I am!

These past few years, I have discovered a passion for counselling ministry, studying part-time at the Toronto Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling Education.  I now have a small private counselling practice and am registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

My hobbies include singing women’s barbershop (a hobby I have had for over 20 years) and I currently am part of “Key of She” – a competitive women’s quartet.  I also enjoy cooking, knitting and long walks in nature.

I look forward to meeting each of you and sharing together this next leg of our faith journeys.

Prayerfully,

Karen Willis, DLM