Announcing the 2025 Companion of the Centre – Ann Naylor

Announcing the 2025 Companion of the Centre – Ann Naylor

The Centre for Christian Studies is pleased to announce that the 2025 recipient of the Companion of the Centre award will be Ann Naylor. Ann will be presented with the award at CCS’s Annual Service of Celebration on March 29 in Winnipeg.

Friends of CCS will know Ann as a member of Program Staff from 1999 to 2017. Many of those who wrote letters in support of her nomination are former students who spoke of the profound influence Ann had on their personal formation and ministry identity.

Ann graduated from the Centre for Christian Studies in 1979. After a few years working for the Student Christian Movement, she served the United Church of Canada in the Division of Ministry Personnel and Education (first as staff and later as Acting General Secretary) developing policy and educational materials related to women in ministry, Diaconal Ministry, and pastoral relations. This also included introducing the Church’s policy on sexual abuse and procedures for dealing with complaints. During this time she also served as staff to the General Council’s Committee on Theology and Faith.

Ann served a congregation in Toronto for a year before moving to Winnipeg to take up Program Staff responsibilities at the Centre for Christian Studies in 1999. (Throughout the 90’s, while the Centre was based in Toronto, she had done occasional contract work teaching CCS courses in doctrine, polity, leadership, social justice, and integrative theology.) As part of the Winnipeg CCS team, Ann helped develop and lead new curriculum for transformative leadership and diaconal formation. In 2012, along with Ted Dodd, Ann received the Davidson Trust Award for Excellence in Theological Education in recognition of their innovative and collaborative approach to teaching and ministry preparation.

A few of Ann’s nominators mentioned Ann’s gift for stillness; quiet reflection, well-placed pauses, holding silence, a non-anxious presence. “Ann never sought to provide answers,” one noted, “but instead to provoke thought and reflection, encouraging me to explore my own calling with integrity and passion.”

“Ann introduced me to anti-racism, decolonization and Indigenous justice practices that continue to shape my ministry and sense of self today,” said another.

Since leaving CCS, Ann has continued as a mentor – both to students and to staff. Through thoughtful questions and conversations over tea she continues to teach about a diaconal vision that honours the dignity of others, challenges systems of oppression, and works for the common good. “Her example reminds us that diaconal ministry is not about being loud or powerful; it is about being present, compassionate, and faithful to the call of justice.”

Another nominator summed it up: “Good teachers teach a little by what they say, but perhaps more by who they are.”

We look forward to having Ann as one of our honoured Companions.