Do You Minister Outside the Church?
The Montreal School of Theology (MST) has supported people with pastoral mentoring groups for nearly a decade. However, many of our graduates minster in non-parochial contexts such as hospitals, the military, prisons, or universities and colleges. It is our desire to support people doing God’s work in these contexts.
Healthcare Mentoring Groups
Beginning in the Fall 2024, we are excited to launch mentoring groups for healthcare chaplains, spiritual care providers, and psychospiritual therapists. MST deeply values the work of integrating spiritual experience with the physical, emotional, and mental lives of people. We also recognize the unique pressures faced by those ministering in the healthcare sector. This can include compassion fatigue and burnout or working in a multifaith or crisis environment.
Mentoring groups are confidential and safe places led by experienced chaplains and spiritual care providers. The groups will meet online once a month for prayer, mutual sharing, and discussion of pertinent literature. The groups also provide peer-support, peer-learning, and an opportunity to network.
For the 2024-25 mentoring year, our healthcare mentoring group will be co-facilitated by two spiritual care leaders with a wealth of experience and expertise.
HELEN HOLBROOK is Chaplain at St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, and a Spiritual Care Provider at Grace General Hospital and St. Boniface General Hospital, both in Winnipeg. She has an MA in theology from the University of Winnipeg and degrees in public administration and sociology. She did her CPE training at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and is ordained with the Anglican Church of Canada.
DONALD SHIELDS was, for a number of years, Chaplain and Coordinator of Spiritual and Religious Care at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Besides theological degrees from Tyndale Seminary and St. Stephen’s College, Donald is a Certified Member of the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care and a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Please Contact
If you are interested in joining a cohort, would like more information, or have any questions please contact the Director of Programs at Presbyterian College, Adrian Langdon, [email protected].
To register, please go here.
If you or someone you know works as a chaplain in prisons, higher education, or the military, we are interested in extending the program in these areas as well. MST is an ecumenical institution with official ties to Anglican, Presbyterian, and United Church traditions, though people from other denominations are welcome as well.
