Meet Pastor Kelli Berkner, Knox Presbyterian Church’s new minister

Knox Presbyterian Church’s new minister is eager to get to know the community of Stratford and learn how the church can best serve it.

Pastor Kelli Berkner has been the Knox Presbyterian minister since Dec. 1, 2024, and said she’s been enjoying getting to know the congregation and community.

"The congregation has been so welcoming, and they have such a deep heart for the community and that's just really exciting as a pastor to come in and be a part of and just want to join them in all of the ways that they are helping and loving the people of Stratford,” she said.

Berkner and the rest of the congregation are looking to update the church’s website and social media pages to let Stratford residents know about its programming and that there is a new minister at Knox. Knox is also partnering with BMI, the property owner, to start a community dinner on the third Wednesday of the month beginning in October.

"We're really excited to be able to host the community for a free meal,” Berkner said.

The congregation is also starting small groups for people to examine how faith plays a role in their day-to-day lives and looking into strategies to entice people to come to church.

"We know that people are busy and that church isn't always at the top of the list, so we just want to see what are the needs of our community and how can we adapt to meet them,” Berkner said.

More information can be found at pccweb.ca/knoxstratford, by calling 519-271-0373, or by emailing pastorkelli.knoxstratford@gmail.com. Berkner also invites Stratford residents to stop by the church office at 142 Ontario St. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a chat.