Meet the Minister

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Biography of Shaun Fryday

Shaun believes that the United Church of Canada is uniquely positioned to have a clear, unequivocal and distinctive voice on religious, social, moral and ethical issues within Canadian society and around the world. He believes the church has a strong and vibrant future. His forthright manner calls us to activism and his passion and dedication propels us into action.

Steeped in the traditions and ethos of the United Church from his childhood in St. Margaret’s Bay in Nova Scotia, through his education at Mount Allison University and the Atlantic School of Theology, and throughout over 30 years of service across the country, Shaun’s spiritual home has always been in the United Church of Canada. He has served congregations in Roblin, Manitoba; Burlington, Ontario; Montreal; and, for the past 15 years, Beaconsfield, Quebec. He brings to pastoral ministry particular skills in church leadership, conflict management, mediation, congregational renewal and mission strategies, including congregational visioning of a new way forward in the 21st century with the Edge Network.  He has experience at all levels of the Church, having chaired Montreal Presbytery three times, and having served on a number of committees at Presbytery, Conference and General Council.  Shaun’s excellence in pastoral ministry has most recently been recognized by the Atlantic School of Theology when he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at the 2014 Convocation Ceremonies.

With a deep understanding of the spirituality, history, polity and traditions of the United Church, Shaun has encouraged and challenged the church to intentionally engage with current issues. Shaun is particularly sensitive to minority issues, egalitarian concerns, justice, dignity and human rights. As part of his conviction that congregations embody their core values in ministry, he was instrumental in Beaconsfield’s unique formation of Montreal’s West Island LGBTQ Youth Centre, and expansion of its ministry to LGBTQ adults and the West Island Rainbow Seniors. Shaun’s work with the LGBTQ community includes addressing homophobia and helping move others into healthier relationships.  He has spoken at two international Conferences on LGBTQ issues and rights. For these and other initiatives The United Theological College at their 2013 Convocation conferred upon him the Craig Chaplin Award.

Shaun has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to environmental and justice issues. He has been a voice calling for regulation of Canadian Mining practices abroad and in 2012 led the Beaconsfield Initiative to the Philippines which resulted in the Presbytery, Conference and General Council 41 passing motions for Action.  In his role as an advocate, he names human rights violations occurring in the Philippines and actively engages Parliamentary Committees and Members. His particular interest in human rights advocacy in the Philippines, has involved travelling there on four separate occasions to meet with church leaders and address government officials. In May 2010, he served there as an International Election Observer.

Shaun does these things with compassion, hope and humour.  He is undaunted by the demands before the church and is able to speak to them faithfully and thoughtfully.
Some of my sermons...