I spent my childhood and youth within the NUMC faith family, and grew up loving the many wonderful worship experiences that highlighted every Sunday, every Christian Holiday. I recall at one service thinking how great it would be to marry a pastor and be able to immerse myself in church life! Alas, role models for women in ministry were rather rare at the time. But that moment was providential.

My journey includes post-secondary music studies (Canadian Mennonite Bible College, now CMU in Winnipeg), raising young children while supporting my husband Randy in pastoral ministry (Altona Bergthaler Church, MB), seminary studies (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN), formally co-pastoring with Randy (Bethany Mennonite Church, NOTL, ON), a five-year detour as a floral designer in the Niagara region, and pursuing our shared calling, giving pastoral leadership in separate congregations. Coming full-circle to minister in the congregation that nurtured and supported my faith development has been a rich blessing.

I have two grown children, and an awesome son-in-law. On the side, I find renewal through drawing and painting, choral singing, gardening, and hanging out with my brilliant and energetic grandson.