Scripture Untangled

Season 6: Episode 8 | Connie Phillipson | When God Calls Will You Hear?      

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Watch or listen to Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson being interviewed by CBS Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling. Prior to Connie’s call to ordained ministry within the Anglican Church, she worked in Ontario’s criminal justice system for over 30 years. In this episode, Connie talks about her close relationship with God which started at a young age and how she came to realize that He was calling her to serve. She describes how we are all capable of falling from grace and deserving of redemption.  

Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson

Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson has served at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), St. Mark’s Anglican Church (Orangeville), and as the Incumbent of St. George’s Anglican Church (Utopia) and Christ Church-St. Jude’s Anglican Church (Ivy). In January 2024, she assumed responsibility as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. George’s Anglican Church (Haliburton).

Prior to her call to ordained ministry, Connie worked for 30+ years within the Ontario criminal justice system. At the outset of her career with the Ministry of Correctional Services, Connie provided social work services to inmates and supervised clients on probation and parole. She fulfilled her desire to superintend a large maximum-security male institution when she was appointed Superintendent of the Toronto (Don) Jail. In addition, she held senior management positions at the Toronto East and Toronto West Detention Centres, the Mimico Correctional Centre, Toronto City Hall Court Services, as well as various corporate positions in policy and program development. In 2000, Connie became the first Executive Director to the York Regional Police Services Board and when she retired in 2009, she continued her studies at Wycliffe College.

Connie graduated from the University of Toronto with her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, and Master of Divinity (Honours) degrees. In 2022, she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree in Preaching from Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling was the Senior Minister of Timothy Eaton Memorial United Church in Toronto, one of Canada’s largest United Church congregations and was responsible for leadership and administration at Timothy Eaton from 1998 until his more recent retirement. Overseeing staff, providing visionary leadership, acting as the public representative of over 1,500 members and managing a dynamic and ever-evolving ministry to the city of Toronto and beyond.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. In 2008, Wycliffe College, Toronto, recognized his contribution to preaching with an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling is now the Ambassador for the Canadian Bible Society building relationships with churches, academic institutions, and individuals across Canada.