by Phyllis Thompson
At the May 27 Eucharist, the Rev. Selinde Krayenhoff, incumbent of St. Mary, Nanoose Bay, presented one of the parishioners with a certificate, proof that Cindy Corrigan had completed the four-year EfM program. Corrigan was also given a prayer shawl, the usual gift any local EfM graduate receives, thanks to knitters of St. Paul, Nanaimo.
Unusual, though, is the route Corrigan took to engage in and complete this program. Living on the Mainland at the time she began EfM course work, she commuted between Fernie and Cranbrook to attend classes the first two years; a move to Vancouver Island meant she completed the remaining two years online. Unusual, too, is the fact that completion of the EfM program is a requirement of the Locally Trained Priest program, a program specifically offered in the Kootenay diocese and one in which Corrigan had engaged. Over the past few years, as requirements were completed, she has been approved at the local, diocesan and, most recently, the regional ACPO levels—therefore, approved as an ordinand to priesthood through this particular program.
Her initial ordination took place on July 25; the Rt. Rev. James Cowan, interim bishop for the Kootenay diocese, officiated—ordaining Corrigan as a deacon in transition for that diocese. Corrigan was delighted to learn from Bishop Cowan that the ceremony could take place at her home parish of Christ Church, Fernie, where she received and was nurtured in her vocational call.
Corrigan returns to Vancouver Island this September. She will spend time further preparing for ordination to the order of Presbyter. Congratulations, Cindy, on completing the EfM program; all our best wishes and blessings in abundance as you move forward, continuing to respond to God’s call to ministry.
Phyllis Thompson taught English at the University of Saskatchewan and is the proofreader for the Diocesan Post. She is also a frequent contributor—covering important events and meetings on the lower and mid-island. She is a member of St. Mary, Nanoose Bay.
Photo: St. Mary’s incumbent, Selinde Krayenhoff, prepares to give EfM graduate, Cindy Corrigan, a gift of a prayer shawl knitted by parishioners of St. Paul’s Nanaimo.
Photo credit: Phyllis Thompson