Lydia Ruenzel will be starting with us on August 1st as our new student minister. She has completed all of the requirements needed to be an ordained minister within the United Church of Canada, except for this last Student Ministry Experience (or SME); which may also be thought of as a “practicum” or “supervised apprenticeship.” We are excited to enter into this win-win situation; she will help us through our transition and we will help her finalize her ministerial credentials!

She is a lovely person and comes highly recommended through a number of places, including the Vancouver School of Theology, where she’s been finishing off a three-year, on-campus Master of Divinity graduate program, as well as during her field education placements – like last summer at our sibling Delta United Church of Canada congregation; Crossroads United Church in North Delta! We are excited to welcome her to Ladner United and know that you will offer a hearty welcome as well.

Lydia will be preaching this Sunday (July 14th) and then join us full-time on August 1st! Welcome, Lydia!

Photo credit: Crossroads United Church