Rev. Angela Bailey
Women of Inspiration
Rev. Angela Bailey is truly “an ordinary person doing extraordinary things” and a role model who inspires others.
For more than 40 years, Angela Bailey was an active member of Bells Corners United Church where she enjoyed singing in the church choir for some years. She was also involved with the Worship Committee, providing thoughtful leadership by sharing her talents through creative skits and acting out biblical stories.
As her three children grew older, she fulfilled a lifelong desire to earn a university degree and studied at Carleton University to earn her B.A., followed by a Bachelor of Education at the Ottawa University Teachers Programme. She taught at Algonquin College and subsequently became Christian Education Director at Kingsway United Church. Later, she earned a Master’s degree at McGill University and was trained for Ordination in Montreal at the United Theological College graduating with high honours. During that time she wrote some skits and was almost arrested when, playing the role of a bag lady, she interrupted the Principal’s worship message. Failing to recognize her, the organist ran off to call the police. The Principal was disappointed that she was not arrested as it would have put the College on the map!
Rev. Angela Bailey became an ordained United Church Minister and served for three years in rural Eastern Ontario and then for ten years in Kemptville. This was followed by a move to Ottawa where she served in the west end with the task of amalgamating three congregations (Kingsway, Northwestern and Westboro United Churches) into Kitchissippi United Church. This was no small feat and she was instrumental in ensuring that it was done professionally and successfully.
Following retirement, Rev. Bailey has served successive congregations faithfully for short periods (for example; Bells Corners United Church, Barrhaven, Kanata, Russell and most recently Manotick) and she continues to accept short term requests to area United Churches. In each church community she has been much loved and respected for her knowledge and devotion to duty. She also continues to perform weddings, baptisms, and spiritual counselling as needed.
In addition, Rev. Angela Bailey has volunteered for the past ten years or more to lead a Remembrance Day service at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Home. She genuinely cares about the elderly and expresses the joy she gains from visiting with older people on an ongoing basis by hearing their stories and sharing in their journeys. Through the years, she has demonstrated great compassion and care for so many people who are in need by visiting them and offering them support in times of illness or providing a funeral service for a loved one. As she notes, “Even those with no faith still wish for a funeral service when death is imminent.”
Rev. Bailey is hailed for her commitment to her ministry in Pastoral Care and to the wider community. In the past 20 years, she has facilitated regular meetings for Muslim-Christian Dialogue with Muslim women, enabling better understanding and communication between the two faith communities. This has led to other outreach among diverse faiths and many interventions and support in times of crisis.
In recent years, Angela Bailey has provided leadership for a Progressive Learning Circle based in Bells Corners United Church. This group engages progressive theologians to attend a weekend of learning and discussion. Some of the guests have included Rev. Dr. Cheri Di Novo, former MPP and Toronto clergy person.
Rev. Angela Bailey is much loved and respected by so very many people with whom she has had contact over the years and her commitment continues to inspire others.
