Kate Johnson
Chaplain | Queen's University
Kingston, ON, CANADA
Kate Johnson is a believer in the value of interfaith dialogue and community-building to bring people together.
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Biography
Kate Johnson, the third Chaplain to Queen's University, came into office in August 2013. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Lakehead University School of Social Work and holds a Master's of Divinity with a concentration in restorative justice from the Queen's University School of Religion (formerly Queen's Theological College). Kate's social work includes working with Deaf and hard of hearing communities, Young Offenders and mental health treatment. Kate currently serves as a member on the board of directors for the Kingston Community Chaplaincy, which supports recently released prisoners in their re-entry to the community.
With a diverse career and a breadth of experiences, Kate has served as a chaplain for the Correctional Services of Canada for five years. Prior to that, Kate worked in the Spiritual and Religious Care department at Kingston General Hospital for four years. Kate has also spent four seasons tree-planting outside of Armstrong, Ontario and 3 summers living and working on a forest firefighting base in Red Lake Ontario. For added adventure, Kate has had the pleasure of spending two summers in a territorial campground outside of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
Kate is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Quakers are convinced that "there is that of God in everyone" and that the Divine speaks to each of us in a very personal way. Her openness towards other people's spiritual experiences allows her to serve in an advisory role to students of all faith backgrounds.
As a firm believer in the value of interfaith dialogue and community-building, Kate has co-facilitated a number of workshops and events to bring together people from a wide variety of faith communities in her hometown of Peterborough, Ontario and in the prison system. Kate is continuing that tradition at Queen's University with the introduction of interfaith events including sporting events and board games. Her dedication to religious freedom and social justice shapes her ministry to the Queen's community.
Industry Expertise (7)
Religious Institutions
Social Services
Education/Learning
Non-Profit/Charitable
Corrections
Mental Health Care
Funeral Services
Areas of Expertise (9)
Interfaith Dialogue
Community Building
Community Outreach
Nonprofits
Higher Education
Volunteer Management
Fundraising
Leadership
Restorative Justice
Education (2)
Queen's University: M.Div., Restorative Justice 2006
Prepared for prison chaplaincy with a particular focus on victims' issues.
Lakehead University: B.A., Social Work, Juvenile Corrections 1997
Affiliations (1)
- Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Links (1)
Media Appearances (8)
Prisons pay more for native spiritual services than all other faiths combined
National Post
2016-06-08
But spiritual services help offenders of other religions, too, said Kate Johnson, a former chaplain at Joyceville Institution in Kingston, Ont.
Prayer space expands on campus
The Journal
2015-03-13
“Even if they are culturally Christian, they’re at an advantage over students who are of other faiths and backgrounds,” University Chaplain Kate Johnson said ...
Chaplain fears profit prison possible
Guelph Mercury online
2015-02-18
Prison reform advocate Kate Johnson told an audience Wednesday she fears Ottawa may consider privatizing aspects of the prison system as the Americans have done.
Chaplains keep up work with parolees — even without a paycheque
Toronto Star
2015-01-23
This work makes offenders safer, says former chaplain Kate Johnson ...
Privatizing the prison chaplain: A view from the inside
CBC News online
2014-06-15
Kate Johnson is a Quaker and the former chaplain of the Pittsburgh Institution, a minimum security prison north of Kingston ...
Chaplain Dan Haley's house of forgiveness
The Toronto Star online
2014-04-06
Kate Johnson, now Queen’s University’s chaplain, explains why she has referred parolees to Haley’s service. One key difference between the palliative care inside Pittsburgh, and what’s offered to residents at the transition house, is Haley’s volunteers. Inmates “get the attention they need,” Johnson says. “The volunteers go and sit with the men if they’re dying in hospital.”
Non-denominational chaplain appointed
The Journal
2013-09-05
Kate Johnson is the first female chaplain at Queen’s, and the first not to identify as Christian ...
Queen's University welcomes first female chaplain
The Whig-Standard print
2013-07-29
Kate Johnson, who graduated from the Queen’s Theological College in 2006 with a Master of Divinity, is set to begin on Aug. 19. She is succeeding Brian Yealland, who served as chaplain for 32 years. She will be the first chaplain to not explicitly identify with Christianity as a religion.
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