2007 Companions of the Centre

The 2007 Companion of the Centre co-awardees:

Gwyn Griffith
Adult educator, passionate disciple and former CCS Academic staff and Principal

Gwyn grew up in the United Church of Canada and was formed into faith and into a life long commitment to ecumenism through her participation and leadership roles,
particularly in CGIT, Student Christian Movment (SCM) and YWCA. She worked as a social worker and in paid employment at the Metropolitan Toronto YWCA in the 60s and 70s.

In the 1970s she became involved with the Centre for Christian Studies, initally as a
continuing education student and as a volunteer on committees and Council. In 1980 she completed her Doctor of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Her experience in a CCS classroom formed the core of her thesis research.

In 1980 she began her paid work at CCS as a member of the Academic staff. Gwyn
was Principal from 1982 until 1991. She provided effective leadership for CCS during a time of many changes in both the school and the supporting denominations (Anglican and United). Gwyn brought energy, dedicated commitment, vision and passion to her work. She was a great source of inspiration.

Since leaving employment at CCS Gwyn has been engaged in a large number of writing and facilitation projects for a variety of organizations, both on contract and as a volunteer. Her well developed skills are keenly sought after.

Gwyn’s volunteer work with CCS has been extensive over the last 16 years. She has been a mentor and facilitator for many students, spoken publically about the school and advocated for CCS and diaconal ministry in many ways. A significant contribution has been the research she has conducted on many of the Principals of CCS and its predecessors for Tapestry and other publications. In 2001 Gwyn began writing a history of the Centre for Christian Studies, and has poured her energy, talent and time into this worthy project, with a plan to bring it to publication in 2008.

Gwyn’s nominators write:

“A review of Gwyn’s resume leaves one breathless and as more than one of us
observed... She had lived and helped to construct much of the more recent history of
women in the United Church and the ecumenical movement. With creativity and music, earnest and heartfelt discussion and debate, singing and laughter, tears and
determination...she has woven a fabric that is vibrant and resilient, an inspiration to so many of us.”

“She has committed much time, skill, and passion to the work of network building,
struggling with racism and violence against women, and finding ways to articulate
women’s faith experience. Gwyn has a steadfast history of working ecumenically, of
bringing a feminist analysis to the church, of working tirelessly for justice and equality
for women.”

Sylvia Hamilton, CCS 79
Diaconal Minister, compassionate pastor and Christian educator

Sylvia grew up in United Church of Canada, and was an active volunteer, providing
leadership in Church School. She was the first woman to be Sunday School
Superintendent at St. George’s United Church in Toronto.

Sylvia was trained formally in education and taught Home Economics in Brampton High School, and soon moved to Toronto Teacher’s College to teach home economics and to be Dean of Women. Because she was married, she never attained the status of“master”, being instead an “instructor”.

Her paid work went on hold while she raised her three children, but she continued to volunteer and study in the church. In the mid-70s she began her work in lay ministry (staff associate) and also began her studies at CCS. She was commissioned as a Diaconal Minister in the United Church in 1979. Her paid ministry career continued for 26 years (until the age of 75) including a long pastorate at Eglinton United Church, Toronto. Sylvia’s exceptional skills at working with and empowering people brought her great success in pastoral and educational ministry. Sylvia was often called upon by CCS to resource student learning on teaming in ministry because of the remarkable ability she had demonstrated to work effectively with a large number of people.

Through out her ministry Sylvia was a supervisor and mentor to CCS students,
companioning them in their learning with patience, good humour and gentle
encouragement.

Retired now, Sylvia continues her long pattern of volunteering for numerous churches and groups. She was the first female chaplain of the Toronto St. Andrew’s Society, and President of the Society and volunteer chaplain at St. Matthew’s – Bracondale Seniors Home. She has been involved at all levels of the United Church including chair of pastoral relations in Toronto South Presbytery, chair of the National Nominating Committee and a member of the General Council Executive, member of the National task group on sexual abuse and author of many educational materials.

Sylvia’s nominators write:

“She is known to us all as a person of deep faith, courage and integrity, and because of those gifts she has been able to offer leadership at every level of the church’s life.”

“Sylvia is a gifted people person with a strong sense of call to diaconal ministry ... She possesses a special ability for creating and working with small groups and building up congregational life.”