Credentials

The Clergy Support Memorial Church Board was in full agreement in certifying the Rev. Kerry Fong-Jean to the office of Appointed Designated Minister – Life Celebrations and Pastoral Care on July 15, 2015. Throughout the years, Kerry has served her community in several pastoral capacities, including as a Registered Marriage Minister. However, Rev. Kerry’s ministry has always been broader, with a compassionate thirst to go out there and look for opportunities to minister wherever there is a need. In recognition of her contribution to pastoral work the Church raised her to the office of Ordained Minister on November 16, 2023, with her ministry focus on Grief and Bereavement.

Academic Credentials

• Graduate, Canadian Ministers’ Institute, September 2019
• Funeral Celebrant Training, Insight Institute, Toronto, June 2017
• Bachelor of Education, University of Ottawa, May 1987.
• Bachelor of Arts (Psych.), Carleton University – Ottawa, November 1985

Pastoral Work & Spiritual Dimension

Rev. Kerry’s focus in the last few years has been on bereavement and grief counseling. She regularly visits a senior’s home, Rosedale Retirement Residence in Brockville, and has helped with coffee time, and various activities within the facility. She makes an effort to engage with the seniors and try to bring some good cheer wherever and whenever she can.

Kerry has counselled friends and clients (at no charge) who experience crises and/or have been going through deep grief due to tragic loss. As a part of her ministering to the bereaved, Kerry follows up with many affected folks for a year or more and, for a few of them, she has been blessed with the opportunity to do a Funeral/Celebration of Life for their loved one.

Rev. Kerry has also offered a grief support group she named Life After Loss Café, holding gatherings in a local brewery. This location was unusual and drew a more varied and curious crowd as it was so unconventional. This group has held six meetings. One was also held in St. Lawrence Park, and Rev. Kerry has also done two grief support walks at the Healing Circle Labyrinth in Johnstown. Kerry has received a calling to focus her ministry with those who are grieving and in bereavement, which is an area of ministry that continues to be rather sorely neglected. We are very thankful to have Rev. Kerry with us as she focuses her ministry area of specialization.

Kerry prays and meditates regularly, and she feels so grateful for her faith in God. In practical terms, Kerry has felt a strong and real presence of God in many aspects of, and times in her life, and she knows that her faith has pulled her through. Rev. Kerry sees God’s blessings every day and firmly believes that, in order to “walk the walk,” we must simply agree to be God’s hands and feet in the world.”

Personal Growth 

Some of the books Rev. Kerry has recently read are helping with her ministry are:

• Braiding Sweetgrass, indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Women Who Run with Wolves, by Clairissa Pinkola Estes
• Sacred Ceremony, by Steven Farmer
• Healing Ceremonies, by Carl A. Hammerschlag MD and Howard Silverman MD.

Additionally, Karry has found the practice of Qi Gong to be of great help in her spiritual and personal journey.

Hobbies

Rev. Kerry loves long walks with her dog in the forest and in the country, reading inspirational books on grief, self-help, and spiritual growth. Qi gong and Yoga. She enjoys being outside. The forest and nature are like church visits for Kerry, as she feels a strong connection walking with God and being in nature as well.

Closing Words from Kerry

“The most meaningful thing that happened this year is that I broke my ankle and was off my feet for over two months. What surprised and delighted me was the overwhelming support and love I received. I had never broken a bone in 60 years and never would I have expected it to be a great experience. Although painful, it was well worth the lesson it taught me. We do reap what we sow and I’m so very thankful for all my amazing neighbours and friends who went above and beyond to serve and amaze me!”