Credentials

The Clergy Support Memorial Church Board was in full agreement to certify the Rev. Brian Klooster to the Office of Appointed Designated Minister – Spiritual, Bereavement Ministry on February 25, 2021. Brian comes to us with decades of pastoral ministry experience in several capacities, including parish ministry, church administration and governance, and in recent years as a multidimensional clinician in the London, Hamilton and Kingston areas providing psycho-spiritual care and support to community, hospice and hospital patients and their families.

Academic Credentials

• Registered Psychotherapist, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) – 2016
• Master of Divinity, University of Western Ontario – 1989
• Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), University of Western Ontario – 1986

Certifications, Memberships and Recognition

• San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program – March 2022
• Graduate Certificate, Canadian Ministers Institute – July 2021
• Clinical Pastoral Education, Second Advanced, Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) – 2017
• Conflict Mediation Certificate, University of Western Ontario – 2009
• Chaplain Knights of Columbus – 1989-2013
• Town of Simcoe, Ontario recognition for Community work “Poverty Awareness Task Force” 2002

Personal Growth

A true life-long learner, Brian looks for meaning and ways to help and nurture himself as well as others in their life journey, especially when faced with life’s unexpected phenomena.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian’s continuing education included the completion of:

• “Complicated Grief and Trauma Skills for Health Care Workers”
• “Coping Strategies through COVID-19”
• “Mental Health Wellbeing, Coping Strategies During Covid-19 for Employees”, and
• “Ethics Seminar: Surviving the Surge”

Spirituality

The mystery that we commonly call ‘The Divine’, ‘God’, etc., is at the core of Brian’s understanding of ministry, particularly focused on his core value to live out the mission of Jesus Christ which is based on Luke 10:27, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself”. Brian uses a daily reflection called “Contemplation and Action”, which best describes his spiritual life as one of inclusivity and love. Brian’s daily prayer keeps him grounded and connected to God, which helps him experience God’s presence in the people he walks with every day.

Closing Words

“Clergy Support Memorial Church has provided me with an opportunity to expand my gifts and skills in an inclusive way. I believe the relationships we encounter throughout our lives teach us more about ourselves and lead us to be accepting and understanding of one another.

I feel very privileged that people have trusted me in the most pivotal moments in their lives; in the joyous, and in the most vulnerable.”