Welcoming our new Voluntary Associate Minister, Rev. Dr. Nan Hudson!
The TSP community is excited to share that Rev. Dr. Nan Hudson is returning to TSP as Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM)! We will covenant with Nan during our Sunday service on May 3rd, 2026.
In the United Church of Canada, a VAM is an ordained minister who, on a voluntary basis, shares in aspects of a congregation’s ministry, offering leadership, wisdom, and pastoral presence without being a paid staff member. Nan’s specific roles will be given later as she supports Hewitt, our minister. This appointment was made by the TSP Board and the Shining Waters Regional Council. Read a message from Nan below – welcome, Nan!
“Last year I came to Toronto and Trinity St. Paul’s United Church to fill in as your ‘Minister for the Moment’ as the search for your new Minister was underway. I had been connected with TSP as a grad student in the ‘80’s, a new ordinand in Outreach ministry in Parkdale, and then as General Council staff in global work in the ‘90’s and early 2000’s. When my spouse and I moved to Kingston in 2002, I continued to be a member of the then ‘TSP Women’s Group’, and although the group has evolved away over the years from its formal connection with TSP, several of its members continue to be active members here. So when I came last year, I found myself back in a church community that I felt at home in, even as I got to know people whom I had never met. When the Search Committee announced that they had issued a call to the wonderful Rev. Hewitt Holmes, I was delighted. It then occurred to me that perhaps TSP would be open to appointing your first Volunteer Associate Minister (or VAM), and perhaps you might appoint me?!
As you may know, a Volunteer Associate Minister is a recognized ordered minister in the United Church of Canada who is in good standing, and usually retired, and generally well known by the church community who appoints them. A VAM does not receive a salary, and only receives honouraria consistent with the church’s policy for weddings, funerals, and special services or programs offered. They work closely in collaboration with the Minister, are accountable and supported by the M&P Committee, and generally serve anywhere from 2-10 hours per month.
On May 3rd, 2026, we will sign our VAM covenant in worship together, and I am truly delighted! Many churches have a VAM (Bloor St. United Church currently has two), and I am honoured to be TSP’s first. As Rev. Hewitt and I have been discussing ideas together on how I might best support TSP’s ministries of compassion, learning, creativity and justice, one idea is emerging to commence this spring. During the pandemic, I developed skills and a vision for what online ministry can be, and I would love to help expand on your online offerings. I’ll be offering a monthly immersive ‘Bible Study’ experience that will focus on the upcoming texts for Sunday worship through hearing, study, contemplation of word and art, sharing and prayer… a kind of contemplative Lectio – Visio Divina / sharing and study group. I hope that many will join me for that initial experience together, beginning in May (date to be confirmed!).
In the meantime, I am delighted to be returning to TSP as your VAM, and look forward to seeing you on May 3rd!”
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