Transcona priest elected bishop in Saskatchewan

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This article was published 30/10/2021 (1720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With training as a chaplain, experience as a first-responder and years as a parish priest, Rev. Helen Kennedy possesses an interesting skill set for her next professional challenge of serving as a bishop.

Elected as bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle in southern Saskatchewan on Oct. 16, Kennedy, 52, leaves her first — and only — parish posting at St. George’s Anglican Church in Transcona in December.

“I love the parish, I love the people, it’s a great place to work and a great community to share,” says the native of Nuneaton, England, who has served as priest at the small parish since her ordination in 2007.

“There was nothing pushing me but there was something drawing me.”

Kennedy takes over as bishop in the diocese — one of three in the province — in early January, becoming the first female bishop in Saskatchewan in the process. She replaces Bishop Robert Hardwick, a former English police officer, who retired in July after nine years in office.

Due to the pandemic, the entire recruitment and election process was conducted remotely, and Kennedy conducted a wedding in Winnipeg while the online election was underway. She won on the second ballot over two other candidates, also from outside of the diocese.

“It was a fairly clear statement that they wanted me,” says Kennedy, who holds theological degrees from both University of Winnipeg and Canadian Mennonite University.

She expects her first challenge as bishop will be navigating around issues raised during shutdowns of the pandemic and finding new ways to work together remotely and in person.

“I like to think I bring a sense of joy and a sense of community,” she says of her strengths.

“I like to think I get people involved. I’m more a team player than a crusader.”

To fill the job that requires skills in administration, pastoral care, communication and problem solving, Kennedy’s past experience as a first responder and ambulance driver in her native England may be pressed into service again, says Rev. Mike Sinclair, dean of the diocese.

“You have to be able to assess on your feet and respond calmly,” says Sinclair, also rector at Regina’s St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

“Those are characteristics useful for a bishop.”

Kennedy’s love for people will also serve her well in her new ministry, says Bishop Geoffrey Woodcroft of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, which covers southern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

“She’s a bridge-builder and a conversation starter,” he wrote in an email message.

“She brings the capacity to lead when we are unclear where we are headed.”

Although she’s unfamiliar with the province about to be her new home — she’s only visited Saskatchewan once — Kennedy is committed to employing the community-building skills that served her well in her previous postings. After relocating to Regina, she plans to bring people together—whether in person or virtually — to assess how to work co-operatively with the 3,000 members in 52 churches in the diocese.

“That is probably the biggest lesson of the pandemic — that staying connecting and being together is the way forward,” she says.

She intends to continue with initiatives already in place in the diocese, including reconciliation work with Indigenous people and the recent agreement between Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Catholics to work together on common projects within Saskatchewan.

When the opportunity arises, she plans to vote to amend the Anglican marriage canon to support same sex marriage, a measure passed by two-thirds of laity and clergy attending the 2019 Anglican General Synod, but not by the house of bishops. The amendment needed to be passed in all three houses in order to be in effect.

“When this vote comes up again, I would be in favour of changing the marriage canon,” she says.

What Kennedy doesn’t expect to modify during her sojourn as bishop is her long allegiance to the Blue and Gold. Despite relocating soon to Roughrider territory, where supporters are fiercely dedicated to their green team, she remains loyal to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the city she’s called home since 1999.

“There’s no way I’m sticking a watermelon on my head,” she says, referring to the hollowed-out melons some dedicated football fans sport on game day.

“I’m a Bomber’s girl through and through.”

brenda.suderman@freepress.mb.ca

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