Unitarian
Rev. Audrey Brooks
Unitarian Chaplain
More on Audrey...
From: Edmonton, Alberta, via Flin Flon and Winnipeg Manitoba
Background: Canadian born, grandparents from Germany and Hungary
Family: Twelve grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
Religious Affiliation: Unitarian Universalist
Education and Employment: Master of Education, University of Alberta, 1980; Master of Divinity, Bangor Theological Seminary, Bangor Maine, USA, 1983;
Ordained to Community Ministry, 1988, Unitarian Church of Bangor Maine, USA, Year one certification Clinical Pastoral Education, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine, 1983.
Other Training: Spruce Run Battered Women certfication, 1983, Bangor, Maine, USA: Women Counselling Women, Department of Extension, University of Alberta, l996; Workshops on Autism, Twelve Step Programming, facilitator for Incest survivors support group for three years at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton; Served on the board of the Centre for Women (which is now amalgamated with Womens Advisory and Wellness group at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Mill Woods, Edmonton).
Pastoral Work: Served as Pastoral care minister and coordinator for the Unitarian Church of Edmonton. Extensive experience in pastoral care and counselling with a strong background in Educational Psychology. Employed for 20 years as a junior, senior, ESL, and adult education teacher in the areas of English, Literature, Drama, Choral work, History, counselling and Health teaching. 17 years with Dept. of Education in co-operating teacher placements, and acting as Team Leader for Language Arts Departments. Initiator of "Student Hotline" for homework help, home visits for students, and pastoral care. Student advisor for Unitarian Youth. Member, for 2 years, of the Moral and Religious Education Committee of the Alberta Teacher's Association. Member and facilitator, Extended Disability Support Group, Alberta Teacher's Association. Retired from teaching in 2005.
At the U of A since: October 2006
Why I'm a Chaplain at the U of A: I believe that all people in the world seek to understand their relationship to a Creator. We enter a journey that begins with birth, and ends with death. On that journey, our relationship with ourselves and our world begins with understanding the nature of creation and how we are called to respond to creation. Whether we are Christian, Jew, Moslem, Sikh, Buddhist, Wiccan, or something else, whether we are orthodox or not, each of us attempts to understand and name what we believe. In this search for understanding and truth, we are called to be in brotherhood and sisterhood with one another. We are called to love humanity, to encourage pursuit of faith, to trust that we will know how we are called to serve. We are called to support each other in whatever church or faith there is, with the criteria being that we do everything out of the kind of love that it is believed the Creator would give, and never hurt one another, spiritually or physically. If we live in the Western world, a strong example is illustrated in the life and teachings of Jesus. In this context, we are called to be in community with each other, as he was in community. As we learn, we grow, we serve the greatest good, keeping in mind that all people are worthy and have dignity. I believe that the Interfaith Chaplains Association holds these views, and promotes collegial relationships for the betterment of the students and staff at the University of Alberta. Blessed be our work, and the support we give one another in hard times and in good times.
Current focus at the U of A: Learning how the Interfaith Chaplain's Association fits itself into the University of Alberta community. Gradually building relationships with other chaplains, as well as students, staff and faculty members, so that my presence on campus is known. Interacting with social services
providers on campus to maximize support for students; providing counselling, offering personal support for individuals who are looking to repair spiritual hurts, to find their way back to their families, or their church home, or help them continue their search for answers in a resourceful and healthy way. To encourage students to trust themsellves, to have self-respect, self-worth, no matter what burdens cause them concern. Affirm the sacredness of all of our journeys, with the teaching from holy scriptures that encourages us all to do spiritual work as a life practice.
Other Passions and interests: Sacred and secular readings on faith issues, historical religious fiction, Member of Interfaith Association for Education, Member of Stroll of Poets organization and Writer's Guild (have taught workshops on spiritual awareness through journaling), Women's Advisory and Wellness Group - Grey Nuns Hospital, Toaist Tai Chi practictioner, Member UCE Walkers, Chorealis Unitarian church choir, Sacred Web Singers, Raging Grannies, In Her Voices a capella women's choir. Musical interests: singing, playing guitar, ukelele, electric autoharp, accordion, drumming, yodelling & chanting, all music styles - especially Baroque but not much progressive jazz or any music with demeaning lyrics. Providing rites of passage, helping people plan their rites, writing specific rituals, poetry, prayers that fit their tradition/faith.
Whoever you are, wherever your are in your life journey, there is time and place to have conversation.
Contact me, let us talk, share, ask the questions and discuss ways to find the answers.
Links:
Unitarian Church of Edmonton (10804-119 St. T5H 3P2, ph: 545-8073)
Westwood Unitarian Church (11135-65 Ave. Edmonton, T6H 1W3)