Credentials

The Clergy Support Memorial Church Board was in full agreement to certify the Rev. Nicholas (Nick) Wilhelm to the Office of Appointed Designated Minister – Life Celebrations and Pastoral Care on January 11, 2021. Nick is passionate about sharing his own strength and experiences, particularly with the youth in the LGBTQ+ community. His ministry meets all those who experience rejection, not only by the larger social group, but also from their own families and loved ones, assisting them with embracing their own identity and acknowledging their own self-worth and value as human beings and members of society. Nick is a believer in self-discovery and self-awareness, and he hopes to pass on that wisdom to others to fulfill and enrich their lives.

Academic Credentials

• Graduate Certificate – Canadian Ministers Institute, March 2021

Volunteering strengths

• Nick is very active in the LGBTQ+ community and is a strong advocate for their rights in society
• Works in conjunction with several charities in the Greater London area that support LGBTQ+ issues
• Nick has always been very active in the native community with particular interest in learning about their struggles with past injustices and discrimination

Pastoral Care

Rev. Nick is a natural mentor and advocate for the marginalized and the rejected members of society, as he continually faces members of the LGBTQ+ community of all ages and walks of life. He is well connected with the Pride London Festival organization, as well with Regional HIV/AIDS Network in London, and he uses these connections to assist all those who come to him for support and counsel. Nick is used to people being drawn towards him for help. The pastoral work that Nick does every day is challenging, but he faces it with grace, humility and determination.

Worship

A big part of Rev. Nick’s worship life is the discovery of native traditions and rituals, which he counts himself honoured to be a part of. He is also open to, and has participated in many other forms of liturgical worship, and he is comforted in finding the Love is the common thread among all forms of worship, veneration and adoration.

Personal Growth

The global pandemic has afforded Nick the opportunity for much inward personal reflection, and a time to acknowledge our humanity in a deeper level. Nick feels that he is learning much from, and within, his marriage. Support, understanding, patience, accommodation, etc., are all ways to show love in a way that teaches us our own worth and values. Being human is a journey that teaches us every day, it teaches us to learn about ourselves, who we are as individuals and where we fit in our communities; what our role is and how to work towards equality and harmony towards a more just society for all.

Hobbies

A big part of being an effective minister is being aware that we also need to take care of ourselves. Hobbies are a big part of that, and Rev. Nick is a man of many hobbies, including gardening, aquariums and fish keeping, crafting (he admits enjoying all forms of crafts, which allows his creative side to shine), and of course cooking!

Words from Rev. Nick

“2020 has been a hard year for many, I continue to try and be patient and grow personally. I’m certainly not perfect…I have a past that I’m not always proud of, but I do feel I have learned from my past and would not be who I am today if it were different.”