The Chinook Winds Regional Council will commission Letitia Berger (at left) and Lisa Penzo as diaconal ministers at its Celebration of Ministry on May 11, 2025. Please read more about Letitia and LIsa below.

Letitia Berger

Letitia was born and raised in Medicine Hat, where she spent most of her childhood. In early adulthood, she moved to Calgary to continue her career in hairstyling. During this time, she was trying to figure out who she was and where her grown-up self belonged. She had always felt a call to the church but struggled to understand where that call was leading. Although she stopped attending church for many years, she never forgot her strong belief in God or her call to be active in a faith community.

When Letitia found herself discerning her call—whether to ministry or lay work—she was already active in Sunday School and involved with the Faith Formation Committee. She was told about the Centre for Christian Studies, also known as C.C.S., and a program she could take to help her explore what kind of ministry work she felt called to. So, she headed to Winnipeg to take this prerequisite course and see what the future had in store.

Letitia found herself sitting in one of the classes, overcome by a deep sense of call, knowing: this is where she needed to be. It became clear—this was her calling, and it was to Diaconal Ministry. In the fall of 2019, she began her studies at the Centre for Christian Studies to become a Diaconal Minister.
While in school, she completed two of her three field placements at Symons Valley United Church, where she spent a year doing family ministry work. Wanting to gain experience in other church communities, she served at Parkdale United Church as their Family Minister. Her heart was full working in these churches, and she knew she had found her place—doing what she loved in a church that felt like home.

In February 2024, Letitia relocated to Port Coquitlam when her wife accepted a job with the Pacific Mountain Region. She wrapped up her final field placement at Trinity United Church, where she gained valuable experience creating community within and beyond the church. She continued her journey by offering pulpit supply in various churches throughout the Lower Mainland until she received an appointment at Aldergrove United Church.

Letitia is currently serving in solo ministry and has accepted a provisional call to continue her work as a Diaconal Minister within that faith community.

Lisa Penzo

Lisa Penzo is a joyful, grounded, and deeply compassionate leader, being commissioned to Diaconal Ministry within The United Church of Canada. Her ministry is rooted in community, justice, and spiritual nurture—with a particular passion for creating safe, inclusive, and joy-filled spaces where children and youth can explore faith, adventure, and belonging.

Lisa’s call to ministry began early. Baptized and raised in the United Church, she was shaped by a congregation that welcomed her whole self. As a youth, she volunteered in the church nursery and found connection and community in CGIT, where she experienced a curious, justice-oriented environment that encouraged bold questions and faithful service. A high school aptitude test once listed “minister” and “politician” among her top career matches—foreshadowing her future in servant leadership, community care, advocacy, and holy mischief.

A formative milestone came when Lisa and a close friend were invited to co-lead Vacation Bible School in her grandparents’ rural farming community church in Prince Edward Island. Entrusted with worship leadership, music, and storytelling, Lisa discovered that ministry could be both meaningful and fun.
Lisa’s professional ministry began at St. Andrew’s United Church in Calgary, where she served as Minister for Children and Family Ministries. There, she developed innovative, experiential, story-rich programming that invited deep questions and playful wonder, while shaping a church culture that celebrated children as full participants in the life of the community. She implemented the Tender Trust duty of care initiative, trained and mentored volunteers, and offered steady pastoral care to families navigating change, grief, and growth.

Today, Lisa serves as Camping Minister for Chinook Winds Region, supporting regional camps and coordinating Camp Caravan—a travelling day camp ministry that brings faith-filled fun and connection to children, youth, and communities across Southern Alberta. She brings to this role a rich leadership
toolkit: strong administrative skills, deep pastoral wisdom, and a profound belief in the spiritual lives of children. Her ministry is a tapestry of storytelling, compassion, justice, and community-rooted care. As one colleague put it, “She keeps the needs of children and their families in front of us… and ensures their realities are taken seriously.”

Lisa’s ministry is marked by the spiritual gifts of teaching, hospitality, administration, and encouragement. She leads and uplifts others through relationships and behind-the-scenes support, empowering young people and volunteers alike to thrive. She is described as a “pastoral anchor” in times of change and a “natural fit” for ministry by those who know her best.
Her journey has been shaped by years of leadership in outdoor education, emergency planning, and community-based ministries—and by a lifelong love of nature, especially when near water, where she feels closest to the Divine. She continues to be inspired by the resilience of children and by the Spirit’s call to build a church where all are truly welcome.
When not travelling from site to site with Camp Caravan, Lisa enjoys a good book, a fine cup of coffee, and a wander through the great outdoors. She shares her expertise as a certified first aid instructor, volunteers in her community, and always makes time for laughter, storytelling, and spontaneous joy.
Lisa lives in Okotoks, Alberta, with her family, and gives thanks for the mentors, friends, congregations, and loved ones who have supported and accompanied her on this Spirit-led path to Diaconal Ministry.

Fun fact: Lisa has an uncanny ability to stay calm in a crisis—except, perhaps, when startled by a surprise pack of overly enthusiastic squirrels. Much like her favourite animal, the otter, she embraces the unexpected with joy, curiosity, and a deep love for God’s creation.