A bit about Shawn…
I was born in Toronto and raised in a little town just north of the city, although I spent a lot of time “heading downtown” as a young person and exploring the rich cultural and linguistic diversity the city has to offer. I am a “cradle Anglican,” and have worshipped in the Anglican Church of Canada, the Church of England, and the Scottish Episcopalian Church. In part, this means that I have done a lot of liturgical cross training and I am at ease in any number of kinds of services—in Canada, the Book of Alternative Services has been the bedrock of my worship life but the Book of Common Prayer falls open to Page 67 naturally in my hands thanks both to childhood experiences and current worship practices..
I trained initially as a physicist and became a schoolteacher; I’ve taught science (particularly physics) to people of all ages—from grade one students all the way to post-secondary students and specialised community-based programs for older adults. During my first return to graduate school, I focused on the joyful messiness of learning to teach, and my academic career began shortly thereafter. I held posts at Ontario Tech University and Simon Fraser University, before taking a position at the University of Cambridge where I was Professor of the History of Science, Technology, and Education.
Although I have deeply enjoyed being a researcher and teacher, it was my work in relationship with others that has nourished me most during my career. Cambridge is somewhat unique in that, as a Professor, I had a certain number of students for whom I was responsible for “pastoral care.” This was deeply meaningful work that led me to take on increasingly complex academic leadership positions, particularly during the pandemic. I returned to Canada a few years ago and began to discern a call to ministry at St. Anselm’s Anglican Church whilst continuing to teach part-time for a number of universities. I soon began serving regularly and began full-time MDiv studies shortly thereafter. I am being ordained as a Transitional Deacon on December 6, 2025.
My first field experience was at the Mission to Seafarers. The privilege of doing ship visits and getting to know seafarers spoke to my broader concerns about social justice and the perils of consumerism whilst simultaneously being a source of joy and connection. There is also a deeply personal connection to this ministry as my grandfather was a seafarer in the early part of his life. Some of my favourite Christian memories are of being invited to break bread with seafarers during their lunch break, on ship. The spirit of generosity and community one finds in crews with members who come from all over the world is incredibly powerful.
For my second field placement, I have been blessed to be placed at Christ Church Cathedral. The complexities and opportunities of the various ministries and worship opportunities at Christ Church have been a wonderful way for me to explore my passion for parish ministry in different forms. I have served at a variety of services using many different liturgies, taught children’s programming, and engaged with pastoral visiting as well as provided significant adult formation opportunities. I am deeply grateful for generosity of the many different parishioners who have taken the time to share parts of their faith journey with me.
On a personal note, I am deeply connected with the Francophone community, alors les conversations en français seront bienvenues, car je parle français dans ma vie quotidienne! I have a visual arts practice and a sadly less frequent music practice. My biggest source of personal development outside of the Christian faith has been my lifelong practice of traditional martial arts, which I have practiced for over four decades.
At the heart of my faith is prayer and community-based relationships. I never cease to be amazed, and deeply moved, by the ways God works in the world and by the everyday acts of kindness we can witness if we engage with our local communities. As Rowan Williams once remarked – It is up to us to discern our response!
Shawn+
The Reverend Dr. Shawn Bullock
