Christine is an Ordained minister in the United Church of Canada and is currently serving Birchcliff Bluffs United Church in Scarborough. She is pursuing a PhD at Emmanuel College in the discipline of homiletics and is looking at how the power of humour facilitates the communication of theological and spiritual wisdom in the pulpit and the public square. Christine is a Fellow in the Teaching for Ministry Program as well as a sessional lecturer at Emmanuel.  She lives in the west end of Toronto with her husband, almost grown up children and twin cats.

“When women are silenced in any area, it’s not just tragic for women, it’s a tragedy for the whole world if we, in fact, prevent half of our talent, our wisdom, and our energy, our ideas from participating fully in God’s world.”

“One Mother’s Day many years ago, I preached a sermon called “Mothers of the Church” in my congregation and celebrated figures such as Deborah, Hagar, Elizabeth, Miriam and Tabitha, by lifting up their roles in the unfolding drama that is the Bible. I was overwhelmed by the reaction of the women in the pews. Some came to me in tears sharing that they had never really heard these women’s stories before. They had grown up thinking that God (and the Church) did not value women fully. How wonderful that we are called to bring the good news to these women, and indeed all the world – that God calls all kinds of people to participate in God’s ongoing project to transform the world. Your beautiful and wise voice is needed. Spread the word!”

Christine Smaller, Minister, Ph.D Student, Emmanuel College