Deacons in the Diocese of Ontario

Active deacons

The Reverend Lisa Chisholm-Smith serves part-time as the Anglican chaplain at Queen’s University out of St. James, Kingston, working closely with the members of the Queen’s Canterbury Club, an official university club and students who worship at St. James. Lisa also serves part-time as St. James’ children and youth ministries coordinator. She oversees one of the weekly assignments local inmates do for community service at St. James and is a non-security escort. Lisa is past president of Anglican Deacons Canada, the national association for ordained deacons in the Anglican Church of Canada, and co-chair of the General Synod’s Faith Worship and Ministry Committee (2025-2028).

Anglican Deacons Canada https://www.anglicandeacons.ca/

Faith Worship and Ministry Committee https://www.anglican.ca/governance/fwm/ ]

The Reverend Canon Sharon Dunlop’s diaconal ministry out of St. James, Kingston emphasizes the work of corrections, restorative justice and care for victims of crime. Sharon works as a prison chaplain at Collins Bay Institution and acts as a citizen escort driving inmates to and from worship services at St. James. She advocates on behalf of wrongfully convicted people through periodic educational events in support of Innocence Canada. An active member of St. James’ Pastoral Care Committee, she also schedules worship leaders for parish services. Thanks to the generosity of the Diocese of Ontario Reach and Stretch grant program, Sharon co-leads educational programs in response to Call to Action #59 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission pertaining to Canada’s Indigenous peoples. Outside the parish, she serves on a team training people who are interested in volunteering in prisons; as the Anglican representative on the joint Roman Catholic and Anglican Justice and Peace Commission; as Frontenac clergy representative on Synod Council; and as member of the Formation Group of the Diocese of Ontario’s Ministry Commission (formerly the Training and Development Committee).

Innocence Canada https://innocencecanada.com/ ]

The Reverend Canon Fran Langlois is deacon-in-charge of the Anglican Ministry to Seniors in Prince Edward County. A ministry team of fifteen members from each of the three Anglican parishes in the County, they provide regular worship, visitation and pastoral care to residents in four long term care homes, two retirement homes and an Adult 55+ independent living home. Fran is the deacon at the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Picton and is also licensed as an honourary assistant in the Parishes of Kente, Marysburgh and St. Mary Magdalene in Prince Edward County. Fran officiates at a morning prayer service at St. Philip’s, Milford and St. Andrew’s, Wellington alternately monthly and is currently the longest serving active deacon in our diocese. Fran is also a member of the Formation Group of the Diocese of Ontario’s Ministry Commission (formerly known as the Training and Development Committee).

The Reverend John Morrison has a very active ministry to seniors and offers weekly services at the Helen Henderson retirement home. A chaplain at the zone and branch levels of the Royal Canadian Legion and strong advocate for veterans’ benefits, John also offers grief support through referrals. Within the diocese, John is the chair of the Ministry Commission (formerly known as the Training and Development Committee). He currently serves as the deacon at St. Peter’s Kingston, having previously served through the Parish of St. John’s Bath where he was responsible for the Outreach Pastoral Team.

Based at St. James’ Kingston, the Reverend Bob Burkholder volunteers with incarcerated individuals in several federal correctional settings through worship, visitation, programming, and serves as a non-security escort of inmates in the community. An active member of St. James’ Pastoral Care Committee, he provides pastoral care, walks with newcomers and refugees; leads and supports parish hospitality and fellowship initiatives, as well as contributing to the worship and liturgical life of the parish.

The Reverend Sarah Earl is deacon assistant to the dean of St. George’s Cathedral in Kingston. Sarah serves in the community as a clinical psychotherapist and is slowly working towards her master’s in theology. She is focused on integrating spiritual and secular counselling and providing support and compassion to the congregation at St. George’s.

The Reverend Paul Hutt is deacon-in-charge of St. Paul’s, Marmora and St. Mark’s, Bonarlaw. He makes Caressent Care long term care and retirement home visitations in Marmora, as well as home visits to parishioners with reserved sacrament. Paul is also the chairperson for the Marmora Helping Hands Food Bank.

Based at Christ Church Cataraqui, the Reverend Sharon Mason serves by leading pastoral care for the parish (including monthly services at three Long Term Care/retirement residences). Sharon also facilitates a weekly Bible study and co-mentors the Education for Ministry group.

The Reverend Pamela Sweet is deacon assistant to the Rector of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Kingston. Pam does home visits to shut-ins and takes reserved sacrament to those requesting it. She has also done a burial of the ashes requested by a funeral home as well as a funeral for someone in a nursing home at the request of the family.

Retired deacons

The Reverend Kate Ann Follwell has been involved in: Leadership training with the counsellors at Camp Hyanto; designing and implementing a course for parents and teens called ‘Why do they do what they do?’; Belly to Belly weight loss programs for the diocese; ‘Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks’ Men's cooking school; human trafficking education; ‘Reading the Bible in a year’ Bible book club, and pastoral care and services in seniors residences and full-time care facilities.

The Reverend Don Goodwin serves as honourary assistant at St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston.

The Reverend H Peter Schaub serves as an honourary assistant at Christ Church Cataraqui, Kingston.

In Memoriam

The Reverend Tom Dukes.
The Reverend Roger Hammond.
The Reverend Jack Beer.
The Reverend Winnie Forte.