It is good to join you on your journey for the coming year. Life has been and continues to be an adventure in following the Lamb. Alberta and British Columbia have been home for most of my life. From a young age I have been involved in a church at least for part of the year (my mother seemed to stop sending me in the winter and never started again until we moved). A long time ago churches sent out buses to pick up children for Sunday school, thus began my journey in earnest toward belief. I loved reading scripture in church and people would say I should become a preacher. What did they know? Apparently, a lot.
I began attending the Moravian church shortly before my daughter was born in 1987. I am thankful for the journey that took me to the folks in Bruderheim. When Ken and I met in 2002 we talked of all the dreams and possibilities that swam in our heads. I shared a growing desire to become a pastor. In 2004 I began seminary in Edmonton. Deciding to stay Moravian we ventured to Bethlehem, PA to finish seminary.
We left our three daughters and five grandchildren. Since then we have added three more grandchildren to our family and they have spread out over three provinces.
My first call was to Michigan after graduation in 2009. Boy, did I grow a lot. I looked forward to a long pastorate but God had other ideas.
In 2014 we set off for Kathmandu Nepal to help our friends with the preschool and be a part of the growing Moravian church there. We experienced joy and how earthquakes can really change your plans. God also taught us about the Ministry of Presence. Sometimes just being willing to “stick it out” gives others who can do more the courage to stick around and help. It was a great 10 months.
What do you do when God doesn’t show you how to stay where you want to be? Well I placed my name back onto the list as we moved back to the USA and waited for a call. An interesting appointment to Redeemer in Dublin, OH came up and we began a new phase of ministry. While there we were able to go back to Nepal twice and I spent a month working in Labrador and was privileged to attend the Unity Mission Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Eventually Ken and I came to the decision that it was time to return home to Alberta. So here we are, God providing in interesting ways. I feel blessed to be here and I look forward to getting to know everyone as we see what God has for us to do.
Blessings, Pastor Trina
Edmonton Moravian Church 