Welcome to Selby United Church’s Website, my name is Mike Putnam and I’m glad you’re here!

I was born in Hamilton and studied business and marketing at Mohawk College and Ryerson University. I moved to Kingston after marrying my wife Andrea, who is a teacher with the Limestone District School Board. After university I worked for ten years in corporate sales and marketing.

After a long period of testing my faith I decided to enter into the formal process for testing my call to ministry in the United Church of Canada. In 2012 I took the plunge and left a successful career in business and began full-time studies at Queen’s University. I graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree in 2014. Prior to coming to Selby and Empey Hill, I was the Student Supply Minister at Storrington Pastoral Charge in Inverary and Battersea

I have a thirteen year old son and a eight year old daughter who are the light of my life. I have a passion for Canadian history and I enjoy putting that passion into practice through historical re-enactment. I also enjoy being outdoors and camping, kayaking and hiking.

I believe that God is active in the world and that through Jesus Christ we can know who God really is and be in a relationship with him.   I believe that God calls us to join together in faithful communities so that we can be Christ’s body working for the Kingdom in our own time and place. Questions and doubts are always welcome here; but I’ll warn you that Jesus was never one for easy answers!

I want to welcome you to Selby United Church and I hope you will find this faith community to be a nurturing, supportive and loving one. All are welcome here; whether you are a life-long Christian looking for a church home or you are just testing the waters and wondering what Christianity is all about. I look forward to getting to know you and journeying together, in beloved community, along life’s bumpy road.