Service Defines Emmanuel College Alumni Award Recipients 

^{From left, the Rev. Dr. John Pentland, Rose Mina Munjee, Emmanuel College Principal HyeRan Kim-Cragg, Victoria University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda N. McEwen, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Hardy and the Rev. Adam Kilner pose for a photo during the Emmanuel College Alumni Day dinner celebration. (Photo by Neil Gaikwad)}

By Sally Szuster

For his leadership in ministry, public theology and community engagement, the Rev. Dr. John Pentland has been named the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient among Emmanuel College graduates. 

The honour was presented by the Emmanuel College Alumni Association (ECAA) at the annual Emmanuel College Alumni Day dinner celebration this spring, where four graduates were recognized for their contributions to ministry, community and professional life. 

Pentland, lead minister at Hillhurst United Church in Calgary, has spent more than three decades in ministry, including more than 20 years at Hillhurst. During that time, he helped guide the congregation from decline to growth, building a community known for its focus on inclusion, spirituality and social justice. His approach reflects Emmanuel College’s commitment to graduate-level theological education, interfaith engagement and community service. 

Emmanuel College, one of two colleges within Victoria University, is affiliated with the United Church of Canada and prepares leaders for ministry, scholarship and community life across diverse contexts. Its Master of Divinity program trains candidates for ordained ministry, while its multifaith Master of Psychospiritual Studies program supports those working in fields such as spiritual care, psychotherapy and community leadership. 

A graduate of Emmanuel College, Pentland has also become a leading voice in what he describes as “public theology,” bringing faith into broader social and cultural conversations through preaching, writing and public engagement. Pentland has always used the symbol of an iPhone in one hand and a  Bible in the other as a way to enter into relevant public theology. His work has extended beyond the church into national media and speaking engagements.

“We are living in a time when places like Emmanuel College will be essential to good public theology and conversations in the world,” Pentland said while accepting the award. He also holds a DMin from Chicago Theological Seminary. His thesis, Speaking Faith in Public Space, has shaped his life and ministry. 

“John Pentland embodies the kind of leadership we seek to nurture at Emmanuel College, thoughtful, courageous and deeply engaged with the world beyond the church,” said Principal HyeRan Kim-Cragg.

“His ministry shows how theology can speak meaningfully into public life while remaining grounded in community.” 

The ECAA also recognized three other Emmanuel College graduates with 2025 Service Awards, awarded for notable achievement in a particular area and reflecting different expressions of leadership. 

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Hardy was honoured for her achievements that have helped shape how the United Church of Canada worships, teaches and communicates. Beginning with a background in music and continuing through advanced theological study at Emmanuel College, where she earned a total of three degrees, she built a ministry that bridged congregational leadership, education and publishing.  In her work as a mission study editor, she produced global education resources for all ages across The United Church of Canada. As an author and teacher, she supported generations of worship leaders, while her role as co-chair of the committee that produced Voices United helped create a hymnal that continues to guide worship in congregations across the country. Even in retirement, she has remained active in ministry as a volunteer associate minister at Saint Luke's United Church in Toronto and in mentorship, reflecting the college’s emphasis on lifelong learning and leadership.

“My life of faith has been strengthened by my education and pastoral ministries,” said Hardy. “I’m grateful that Emmanuel College provided a rich learning environment to encourage me on my journey.” 

“All of the ECAA Awards recipients represent the very best of the college’s tradition of scholarship and service,” said Victoria University President Rhonda N. McEwen. “Through their work, they have helped to shape communities, strengthen institutions and extended the impact of theological education in meaningful and lasting ways.” 

The Rev. Adam Kilner was recognized for a ministry that extends beyond the church into civic and community life. A pastor at Dunlop Central United Church in Sarnia for more than a decade, he has combined congregational leadership with public service, including his election to city council in 2022. His work has included advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, BIPOC communities, Indigenous reconciliation and support for people experiencing homelessness, alongside fundraising and volunteer efforts across the community. His involvement on boards, regional church leadership and university governance reflects a model of leadership that connects faith with public responsibility. In reflecting on his enduring relationships with Emmanuel faculty and alumni, Kilner said “God keeps finding ways for us to stay intertwined. To see each other’s stories. I feel like a child this community has raised, and it’s been a powerful thing.”

 
Rose Mina Munjee was honoured as part of a newer generation of graduates working at the intersection of mental health, mindfulness and social justice.  A 2022 graduate of Emmanuel College, she works on higher education technology and teaches at the University of Toronto and in mindfulness training programs while leading her private psychotherapy practice, Mindful Wellness. “It’s a thrill to come back,” said Munjee, as she accepted the award. “I was in an early cohort of the Buddhist studies stream and I’m really excited for what it’s turning into.”  Her work focuses on trauma-informed psychotherapy and evidence-based mindfulness approaches, drawing on somatic, ancestral and neuroscience-informed practices, and emphasizing inclusion and support for BIPOC communities. She is also pursuing doctoral research in anti-oppressive adult education, focusing on using mindfulness and compassion-based approaches as resources to support somatic and trauma-informed pedagogy and care. 

“This year’s award recipients reflect the breadth and diversity of the college’s alumni community,” said Louise Yearwood, Victoria University’s Executive Director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement. “From congregational leadership and public service to mental health and social justice, their work demonstrates the many ways an Emmanuel College education can take shape in the world.” 

Together, the recipients reflect Emmanuel College’s commitment to preparing leaders for ministry, scholarship and service, expressed across generations in settings that range from congregations and national church leadership to civic life and mental health and spiritual care.