Ordination

Heather was Ordained to the Christian Ministry on April 14th, 2008.

Introductory remarks by our Chief Governing Official:
“Heather Star Williams has been an Ordained Minister with our church since 2008. She is the gem in our crown, being present for others, and sharing in worship on multitudes of occasions. For her history with us, just read her moving closing remarks below. Caution, you will hear a prophet speaking so listen with your heart…”

Minister of Outreach & Church Growth

She accomplishes this by conducting weddings for non church members in the wider community via Life Celebrations ( Covenant of Marriage), Rev Heather Star hopes to add these couples to the Church Fellowship.

In addition, her ministry includes:
A Ministry to the LGBTQ+ Community Rainbow Ministry 🌈
Leading Sunday Worship
Bereavement- End of Life Ministry
Hospital Chaplaincy Minister.

Expanded Details

Ministry to the LGBTQ+ Community

Rainbow Ministry 🌈

Heather’s testimony! My Rainbow ministry is a very important to me. No group of people are so persecuted in our society yet so undeserving.It was early in the legalization of same sex weddings and I was richly blessed – again and again – as I met with same sex couples who needed to hear of how right they are in God’s eye. In closing,I am now part of a group of friends that are on the end of life journey with one of those first couples I married, a couple that had been hurt so many times by churches declaring same sex love is wrong. Shame on those churches. Thank you, Clergy Support Memorial.

Sunday Worship Leadership

“I believe that worship is not just a Sunday morning one-hour service in a specific building although I am in such a building most Sundays as part of the worship team. I create and lead the prayers of the people during that time of public worship.

I do conduct Sunday worship many other times of the year, when invited by other congregations across the Province.

Bereavement Care

On Death. The most heart-wrenching death to me was the 23-year-old woman who had hanged herself after just 3 weeks away at university and her parents, who were here from Russia, had no family or faith group to call on. With God’s help, I did all that I could for these parents and I still stay in touch with them to this day.

Worship is most certainly in the gathering but it is also in the weddings and funerals I conduct.

End of Life Ministry

As well as having conducted dozens of  funerals, I find my Ministry is becoming increasingly centered on those facing the end of life.

I have provided pastoral care to a number of fine individuals and their loved ones as they deal with terminal illness and the ‘journey’ to the end. The relationships formed and the events of the journey have been a blessing to me and, more and more, I feel that I am called to this specific ministry.

I am also an approved Spiritual Care Visitor for the Halifax Hospital.

And although my Ministry focus now seems to be taking me to end of life counselling, I will always treasure those times I could be with couples and tell them “We are here to celebrate love and we welcome God into our presence. For wherever love is, God is, for God is love!” For many, I believe it was the first time they heard someone declare their love is of God!!!

Works of Charity

Salvation Army Red Shield, Christmas Kettles & Supper program, Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke. Women’s Inter-Church Council, Charity Auctions, Dragon Boat Races for IWK. Royal Canadian Legion, Bluenose Marathon – Youth Run volunteer route marshal.

Pastoral Care & Worship

My pastoral care activities over the last few years have been to those who have reached out to me because of the weddings I have officiated, or, from the two congregations at which I lead prayers and sometimes lead worship, or, from those who have attended funerals I have conducted, or through the bible study group where I have part-time leadership, and, of course, on the occasions that it seems that God has put me in the path of someone who needs pastoral care.

For example, I am presently involved with an 84 year old woman with health problems and no family in this country. I am also helping an 87 year old woman in failing health and so very scared of change.

I have been overwhelmed by the number of times individuals have spoken to me of how my wedding service was a blessing (sacred) to them, and how often that wedding service has led people to contact me for pastoral care many months after that event.

Academic Achievements

• ‘Certificate of Achievement’ Canadian Minister’s Institute
• Atlantic School of Theology – Diploma Pastoral Care
• Salvation Army – Four-day Seminar on Evangelism
• Salvation Army – Basic Counselling

Study Groups

I participate in Bible study &worship group every Sunday evening, 6-7 pm, and assume leadership any time the scheduled leader is not available.

Personal Growth and Study

• Reading something all the time, most frequently those that tell the tale of personal faith journeys.
• Personal program of devotions while improving musical abilities through playing my accordion using old time gospel songs and hymns.
• Excited about my enrollment in a course taking place in November, Home Funeral Practicum

Hobbies

Knitting, crocheting, carving soapstone and wood, cooking, gardening, scouring yard sales and thrift shops looking for items I can repair or restore.