Rev. Dr. Anne Simmonds has professional experience with the dying and their families, both as nurse and spiritual care provider. She completed the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Toronto School of Theology. The title of her doctoral thesis is: “Reflections on Life and Death in a Technological Society: Experiences of Doctors and Nurses with Dying Patients in Intensive Care.”
Her extensive work with the dying has given her a passion for encouraging people to cherish life in all its fullness, the pain as well as the joy. She is passionate about caring for individual health as well as the health of the planet. When she left hospital work, her desire was to bring the lessons learned from the land of the dying, to the land of the living. Why wait until your life is threatened to ask the deeper questions around meaning and purpose?
Anne was ordained as clergy in the United Church of Canada in 1987. She has served in two Toronto congregations, Rosedale United and Metropolitan United. She is now a Member Emerita at Rosedale United Church.
In 2007 as Adjunct Faculty at Emmanuel College (Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto), Anne began teaching in the Masters of Divinity and Masters of Pastoral Studies Programmes. This included a course on Spiritual Care to the Dying and Grieving, (from 2007-2019); a course in Prayer (2010-2017); She also taught in their Continuing Education (since 1997 to present) and Parish Nursing Programmes (since 2000 - 2017).
In 2019 Anne was honoured with the 2018 Emmanuel College Distinguished Alumni/ae Award.
Anne is compelled to remain a full-time student in the workshop of life, with her experiences of separation, divorce, single parenting, re-marriage, step-family, grand-parenting, pandemic and, in 2020, the sudden death of her 5-year-old granddaughter. Life continues to give her a rich awareness of the complexity of family relationships and an appreciation of the opportunities for growth presented in the challenges of ordinary life. She is interested in encouraging people to reflect on their soul-life; their unique personal journey, which can be supported by easily learned spiritual practices. She continues to offer workshops, individual spiritual mentoring , and preaching.
Anne completed requirements for the Diploma in Art through the Toronto School of Art and has had three art shows at the Rosedale United Church Art Gallery.
