The Rev. Canon Pat Johnston has happily accepted the Rector’s appointment as an Honorary Assistant. She began her ordained ministry at St. John’s, where she served from 1983 to 1986, with Canon Allen Box as Rector. Diocesan appointments followed to the Parish of North Dundas, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Christopher’s, Gloucester which joined with St. Paul’s, Overbrook to become Epiphany, the Bishop’s Office, and lastly St. Matthew’s, Ottawa, from which she retired in 2016. Pat likes to mention that four of the church buildings in the parishes she served are no longer used as places of worship. (Don’t worry about a thing, St. John’s!) It needs also to be said that there are vibrant communities in those former parishes with two newer buildings at Epiphany, Ottawa, and St. Clare’s, Winchester. Pat loves to help build Christian community and always enjoys meeting new people and learning about their walk with Christ.
Pat grew up in the town of Deep River and at St. Barnabas Church where she remembers singing in the children’s choir and being paid 10 cents for every rehearsal and 15 cents for Sundays!
Her life partner is Jamie Tomlinson; they met doing church work! Their home is pretty much ruled by Farley, their senior rescue dog who loves hiking with them in the Gatineau hills. Pat and Jamie are blessed that their son Simon and his wife Sarah live in nearby Carleton Place.
