Chinook Winds Region Minister Rev. Joyce Sasse has been chosen to receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity from St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon at the theological school’s May convocation in recognition of her contributions to rural ministry.

Congratulations, Joyce!

From St. Andrew’s College’s Content Magazine: Joyce Sasse is a retired ordained minister in The United Church of Canada who lives in Pincher Creek, AB. Joyce grew up in Southern Alberta; she was ordained in 1965 and earned her Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1968 and her Master of Divinity degree in 1987. She served congregations in Langham, SK, Rosthern, SK, and Morse/Chaplin, SK, until she began working overseas with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) from 1967-72 as Community Development Worker at the YMCA and as Chaplain/English teacher at Saigwong Boy’s High School, Chongju. After returning to Canada, Joyce served as executive director of the Saskatoon YWCA. In 1974, she served as Saddle Bag Minister with the small communities of Lake Valley, Tuxford, Keeler and Marquis, SK. She then served in Tugaske, SK, before moving to Alberta, first to Rockyford and then to Pincher Creek.
After retirement in 1996, she dedicated herself to writing, speaking, teaching, and leading workshops in support of rural ministry across Canada. Joyce was involved in the Canadian Rural Church Network and was integral in the establishment of the Centre for Rural Community Leadership and Ministry (CiRCLe M).
As was stated in her nomination: “From her first summer placement as
a layperson in 1958 until now, she has been deeply immersed in rural culture and community, not only as a minister practitioner in several parishes but also as a way-finder, scholar and teacher.”
Joyce continues to share her writing and others on the Circle-M blog.