Battleford United Church has a new half-time minister. Gayle Wensley has been hired to lead the congregation, assuming her duties June 1.
No stranger to the ministry, Wensley has been working as the half-time minister to the Borden and Speers congregations for the past 10 years, and was recognized by the Saskatchewan Conference of the United Church of Canada as a Designated Lay Minister in 2009.
Prior to choosing the professional path, Wensley worked for 20 years as a delegate on various committees for the Battleford Presbytery and then Riverbend Presbytery. At present, she convenes the Education and Student Committees for Riverbend Presbytery and sits on the board of Camp Christopher, a United Church summer camp. From 2013 to 2015, she served as the president of the Saskatchewan Conference.
Wensley will continue to live in Borden where she still serves the Borden and Speers congregations. She and her husband operate a cow/calf farm near Borden where she is the chief cook and gardener. They have five adult children and a growing family that now includes two grandchildren. Wensley enjoys cooking meals for her extended family and making goodies for the grandchildren. Other interests include playing music and singing, which she does daily. She tries to let the Spirit infuse all of her days with laughter, love and joy.
June 12 at 11 a.m., Wensley will conduct her first official service at Battleford United Church. The whole community is invited to come welcome her to our midst. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch.
