Kristin Woodburke

I can’t believe I’ve been here at OBUC for 6 years already! Time flies when you’re having fun! (Also time gets really strange when half that time was spent in a pandemic, but I digress!)

A little about me:

I first heard a call to ministry as a young adult. I was involved in my home congregation, Charleswood United, as a youth group leader and Sunday School coordinator, in a musical theatre program for youth, and in the wider church helping with the Conference youth retreat.

I started my training at the Centre for Christian Studies in 2007. In my time at CCS, I served in learning placements with Sparling United Church and St. Matthew’s Maryland Community Ministry, and also worked part time in spiritual care at Fred Douglas Lodge. I did my Global Perspectives Experience in Guatemala with a group called Breaking the Silence, which partners with justice organizations, agriculture co-ops, and schools. I graduated from CCS and was commissioned as a Diaconal Minister in 2014, and later completed a theology degree at the University of Winnipeg in 2017. I served in ministry for five years in the Neepawa and Area Pastoral Charge before accepting the call to Oak Bank United in 2018.

My favourite parts of ministry are getting to be around people (although I am an introvert and do need my quiet time to recharge!), whether that be worshipping and singing together, learning together, practicing pastoral care, or just creating community. I think the first and most important task in any community of faith is “belonging” before “believing”: welcoming, bringing people together, loving and serving one another as Jesus showed us, taught us, and commanded us (John 13:34).

I also like connecting with the wider church and social justice causes; I currently serve as chair of Prairie to Pine Regional Council’s Equity and Diversity Committee and have been involved with planning some Wild Church events in our Region over the past year. On my Sabbatical in 2023, I was delighted to spend time in the UK, including at Iona Abbey in the Hebrides, learning more about Contemplative Christianity, a prayerful movement of letting go in order to connect deeper with God and God’s work in the world.

When not at the church, you will very likely find me at home, reading or streaming TV (probably Harry Potter or some other British books or shows!), although if the weather is nice, I may be enjoying a walk in Bird’s Hill Park. I also enjoy music, theatre, and a good cup of tea!