Credentials

The Clergy Support Memorial Church Board was in full agreement to certify the Rev. Heather Meyer to the Office of Appointed Designated Minister – Counselling and Spirituality on October 20, 2021.

Throughout a rewarding career as a Health Care Chaplain, Rev. Heather has learned the immense value of being a holy presence for others in their most vulnerable and challenging times of their lives. While she has also offered religious services to her patients, Heather is no stranger to be of service to those who profess no faith at all, or whose faith traditions are different from her own. Rev. Heather is ready to support anyone regardless of faith tradition. We feel blessed to welcome a minister with a high spiritual compass who is open to love and to serve humanity.

Academic Credentials

• Graduate of the Canadian Ministers Institute – January 2022
• Master of Arts (Counselling and Spirituality in Health Care), Saint Paul University – Ottawa, 2010
• Bachelor of Arts (Pastoral Studies), Saint Paul University – Ottawa, 2007
• Diplôme d’Éducation Collégiale, Collège Vanier – Montreal, 1972

Awards and Memberships

• Academic Merit Scholarship, Saint Paul University – Ottawa, 2011

Pastoral Care

Beginning her chaplaincy career at a residential care centre in Pointe Claire, Quebec, since then Rev. Heather has dedicated her efforts and energies to serving others, especially those most vulnerable in our society. Heather continues to make herself available to anyone who seeks or who needs support. Most recently, her time and energy has been focused on finding family activities to include her mother who is still an active woman living independently. Rev. Heather’s vast experience in hospital chaplaincy has equipped her with the skills and experience most of us look for in a minister, with an open heart and ear to anyone in need.

Study Groups

Rev. Heather has taught many workshops in pastoral care while in her capacity as a chaplain, particularly courses focused to teach volunteers who visit and spend time with patients. There were many topics ranging from ‘Active Listening’, ‘How to Interact with Patients’, to the use of prayer, sensitivity to different cultures and customs, use of physical touch, etc.

Worship

Currently Heather belongs to and co-leads a small home church group called Circles of Faith Community Church. This is a congregation without a specific minister, and people take turns inleading worship. When it’s her turn, Rev. Heather feels enormous satisfaction in preparing to lead worship and preaching. Their service is a well-established type, having a time for biblical reading and reflection followed by communion. Throughout the service they enjoy hymnal singing when appropriate. Although the pandemic has halted their in-person services, but Heather is hopeful that soon enough they’ll be able to gather again.

Personal Growth

Heather believes in being a life-long learner, and she is open to learning new things and new ways to minister. One of these ways to expand her ministry is to perform the traditional rites of passage, including solemnizing marriages and presiding over funerals/celebrations of life. Heather feels called to offer herself in these new ways of ministering to more people in many varied stages of life.

Hobbies

Being a multifaceted individual, Rev. Heather enjoys pottery, finding the ability to create something from clay very inspiring and rewarding. She is also an avid gardener, which she has been since an early age, enjoying and witnessing the growth of plants from a tiny seed to a large plant. More recently, Heather has found photography, and she is taking an online course to better understand the art of capturing images and what this understanding means for her. She is also enjoying the ability to connect with other students and having conversations about their learning, as well as cultivating friendships.

Words to Describe Heather

“Confident, a good listener, and caring.”