Who We Are
At Rural Routes Through the Holy, we believe that rural congregations hold both griefs and gifts, and we are here to honour both.
We’re a community born out of love for rural places and the deep desire to nurture faith in ways that reflect the lived experiences of small and rural faith communities.
Founded in 2019, our mission is simple yet profound: to gather, support, and encourage those in rural faith communities.
We come together not to offer quick fixes but to cultivate the sense of community in which faithful choices can be made. We accompany one another on the journey of faith, respecting the unique rhythms and challenges of rural life.
Our annual three-day gathering is a time to rest, share, learn, and reimagine what church can look like in rural settings and to see what sprouts and grows.
Whether your congregation is thriving or facing its final days, there is space for you here.
We believe in the bountiful nature of small communities and the power of rural voices to shape the future of the church.
We are also growing beyond our yearly event, offering ongoing resources, reflections, and opportunities for deeper connection throughout the year.
Who We Are
At Rural Routes Through the Holy, we believe that rural congregations hold both griefs and gifts, and we are here to honour both.
We’re a community born out of love for rural places and the deep desire to nurture faith in ways that reflect the lived experiences of small and rural faith communities.
Founded in 2019, our mission is simple yet profound: to gather, support, and encourage those in rural faith communities.
We come together not to offer quick fixes, but to accompany one another on the journey of faith, respecting the unique rhythms and challenges of rural life.
Our annual three-day gathering is a time to rest, share, learn, and reimagine what church can look like in rural settings and to see what sprouts and grows.
Whether your congregation is thriving or facing its final days, there is space for you here.
We believe in the bountiful nature of small communities and the power of rural voices to shape the future of the church.
We are also growing beyond our yearly event, offering ongoing resources, reflections, and opportunities for deeper connection throughout the year.
Get in touch with Catherine:
Email: ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com
Catherine Smith is the initiator and director of Rural Routes Through the Holy. She is passionate about rural faith communities and their role in God’s larger story.
Ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada, Catherine has dedicated her ministry to serving rural congregations, helping them find renewal and hope in the face of change.
Catherine furthered her exploration of wholeness and healing in faith communities and individuals with a Doctor of Ministry and further training in Transformative Leadership from the Shalem Institute.
Catherine believes that rural churches have immense potential to adapt, grow, and thrive in ways that honour both tradition and the newness of life that God offers.
When she’s not working, Catherine enjoys walking the woods or the labyrinth in her backyard, exploring old bookstores, knitting, writing and spending time with her family.
Catherine Smith is the initiator and director of Rural Routes Through the Holy. She is passionate about rural faith communities and their role in God’s larger story.
Ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada, Catherine has dedicated her ministry to serving rural congregations, helping them find renewal and hope in the face of change.
Catherine furthered her exploration of wholeness and healing in faith communities and individuals with a Doctor of Ministry and further training in Transformative Leadership from the Shalem Institute.
Catherine believes that rural churches have immense potential to adapt, grow, and thrive in ways that honour both tradition and the newness of life that God offers.
When she’s not working, Catherine enjoys walking the woods or the labyrinth in her backyard, exploring old bookstores, knitting, writing and spending time with her family.
Get in touch with Catherine:
Email: ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com
Our Dedicated Team
We’re a small, but nimble team that is so grateful for those who share their feelings, their stories, their ideas, and their card tables to create Rural Routes Through the Holy.
We’re grateful for those who gather, those who return and those who come new.
You make our hearts glad!
Kerry Howarth
I’m Kerry Howarth and I have spent most of my life worshiping in military chapels and country churches in Alberta and PEI.
What makes us the same rather than what makes us different speaks to me strongly.
In this time of significant cultural and spiritual transition, Rural Routes is a place for me to focus my attention on being in community in an ecumenical and meaningful way.
Martin Dawson
With a Diploma in Agriculture, a B.A., and M.Div, I worked at a farmer’s cooperative, then became a lay preacher until I was ordained. I preached in rural congregations for 30 years in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island.
Upon retirement in 2018, my family stayed on PEI, and I now keep occupied with Rural Routes Through The Holy, the United Church Rural Ministry Network, Linux computers, podcast recording, making shortwave radio dramas for broadcast on WRMI shortwave International, the Jane Austen Society of North America, and American roundhand style letter writing to pen pals with dip pens, bottled ink, and sealing wax, in addition to caring for a rough collie and a golden retriever.
Karen Archibald-Waugh
I am a mother of three, Grammy to several grandchildren under six and enjoy all things rural. My husband, Anthony and I are both retired and keep busy on our hobby farm with our goats, donkeys and miniature horses.
I am a retired elementary school teacher and still find myself spending time with the youth in our community. I like to hold onto traditions and values that I believe are important in today’s world.
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, travelling, hiking and walking along our beautiful trail in Lower Truro and Old Barns.
Marvin
Marvin Lee Anderson, PhD, is an international consultant on rural congregational ministry and rural communities.
Consulting the General Council Office of the United Church of Canada prior to serving on staff there in charge of the national portfolio on Rural Ministries, Marvin authored their resource, Alive and Kicking: Revitalizing Rural Ministries, which is free to download.
In addition to teaching rural ministry in numerous theological colleges and seminaries across North America, Marvin served eight rural United Church congregations as a lay minister from 2010 to 2015.
Marvin was honoured to be the keynote speaker for several previous Rural Routes retreats.
Our Dedicated Team
We’re a small, but nimble team that is so grateful for those who share their feelings, their stories, their ideas, and their card tables to create Rural Routes Through the Holy.
We’re grateful for those who gather, those who return and those who come new.
You make our hearts glad!
Kerry Howarth
I’m Kerry Howarth and I have spent most of my life worshiping in military chapels and country churches in Alberta and PEI.
What makes us the same rather than what makes us different speaks to me strongly.
In this time of significant cultural and spiritual transition, Rural Routes is a place for me to focus my attention on being in community in an ecumenical and meaningful way.
Martin Dawson
With a Diploma in Agriculture, a B.A., and M.Div, I worked at a farmer’s cooperative, then became a lay preacher until I was ordained. I preached in rural congregations for 30 years in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island.
Upon retirement in 2018, my family stayed on PEI, and I now keep occupied with Rural Routes Through The Holy, the United Church Rural Ministry Network, Linux computers, podcast recording, making shortwave radio dramas for broadcast on WRMI shortwave International, the Jane Austen Society of North America, and American roundhand style letter writing to pen pals with dip pens, bottled ink, and sealing wax, in addition to caring for a rough collie and a golden retriever.
Karen Archibald-Waugh
I am a mother of three, Grammy to several grandchildren under six and enjoy all things rural. My husband, Anthony and I are both retired and keep busy on our hobby farm with our goats, donkeys and miniature horses.
I am a retired elementary school teacher and still find myself spending time with the youth in our community. I like to hold onto traditions and values that I believe are important in today’s world.
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, travelling, hiking and walking along our beautiful trail in Lower Truro and Old Barns.
Marvin
Marvin Lee Anderson, PhD, is an international consultant on rural congregational ministry and rural communities.
Consulting the General Council Office of the United Church of Canada prior to serving on staff there in charge of the national portfolio on Rural Ministries, Marvin authored their resource, Alive and Kicking: Revitalizing Rural Ministries, which is free to download.
In addition to teaching rural ministry in numerous theological colleges and seminaries across North America, Marvin served eight rural United Church congregations as a lay minister from 2010 to 2015.
Marvin was honoured to be the keynote speaker for several previous Rural Routes retreats.
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