Jessica on her life and ministry
We're so pleased that Cedar Park United is now a "Supervised Ministry Education" site for a candidate for ordained ministry. This week, Jessica Gauthier began her work with us as a candidate minister, in a half-time position, alongside Rev. Elisabeth, Martha Randy, and Elizabeth Chown Lafrenière, (and after her retirement at the end or October, her successor). Jessica’s initial priorities will be in the areas of congregational and pastoral care, preaching and worship.
Born in Western Canada, Jessica Gauthier lived in BC, AB, and NB before finally settling in Montréal. She completed her BMus at Mount Allison University and later earned her LMus and MMus in vocal performance from McGill University. Several years later, while continuing to pursue a rewarding musical career as a performer, pedagogue, and church musician, Jessica began studying theology at McGill (BTh, MA) while completing an MDiv with the Montreal School of Theology.
Most recently, Jessica completed a CPE unit (Clinical Psychospiritual Education) in 2024 at the CHUM. She currently works part-time as a Spiritual Care Provider (intervenante en soins spirituels) with the CIUSSS West Central, both at CHSLD Saint-Andrew and in the palliative care wing of Mount Sinai Hospital. Additionally, seven of her contributions on the theme of music in spirituality will be featured in Something Sacred, the 2025 United Church Lenten devotional.
Jessica finds joy in travel, learning, worship, and gardening, and especially in life with her husband Michel Gauthier. In addition to providing a loving and supportive home life, Michel is a retired elementary school teacher, jazz pianist, organist, and the Music Director at Mount Royal United Church.
Raised in the working class and the first in her family to attend university, Jessica brings a unique understanding of diversity into her ministry. She is an SME Candidate for Ordination in the United Church of Canada and integrates her experiences of neurodiversity and chronic illness into her spiritual journey. Her early upbringing in a strict religious sect has shaped her deeply reflective approach to theology, and her ministry is informed by a desire to share the good news of God in Jesus by learning to live out that divine grace in community.