Rev. Jo-Anne Symington's Faith Journey





Rev. Jo-Anne, Hannah and Nathan Symington
Photo Credit: Real Canadian Superstore, Strathroy, Ontario

 

My faith journey has taken me from my early days at West Adelaide Presbyterian Church through my study at Ontario Bible College, University of Waterloo, McGill University and Presbyterian College. I look back to when I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church in Canada on June 26, 1990.

My first charge I served in was St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Kars and Osgoode Presbyterian Church in Vernon, ON from September 1990 to March 1998. I moved back closer to home when I married Wayne Symington on April 18, 1998. After I married Wayne and moved back to this area, I did pulpit supply until I had the opportunity to serve in Brigden Presbyterian Church for 1 1/2 years between 2000-2002.

I started at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Napier and Guthrie Presbyterian Church, Alvinston on August 4, 2002. By the time I came to Napier and Alvinston, Wayne and I had two children. Hannah was 3 and Nathan was 1.

I remember the night of my induction which was held in the church in Alvinston. The choir blessed us with the singing of “Welcome to the family we are glad that you have come to share your life with us.” Not only have I been able to share my life with the congregations I serve in but they have shared their lives with me. We have experienced many seasons together, where we have laughed, shared, visited, worked, and even cried together, but through it all God has been a steady rock and still is.

While in the Alvinston charge I lost my mom to Picks disease on March 22, 2006. Another loss that was devastating to my children and me was the loss of Wayne, a husband and dad, on September 07, 2010 to a massive heart attack. Through this journey of grief and loss and helping my children continue along without their dad, God has been and still is a loving, faithful God, Who promises to always be there for us.

As I reflect back over my life and all that I have been through, my relationship with Jesus has grown with everything I have been through. He loves me and is a constant presence in my life. I trust the plan that God has for my life and the lives of my children. I continue to trust God in every step of this journey and onward I go with God.

I love the people that God has called me to journey alongside in the congregations that I serve in Napier and Alvinston. May God bless each of them as they continue to grow in Christ and walk with Him in their journey of life.

Rev. Jo-Anne Symington

Photo Courtesy of Real Canadian Superstore, Strathroy, Ontario