A come and go tea will be held for Minister Heather Wyatt June 15. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

retirement

United Church minister to deliver final service June 23

Jun 12, 2019 | 5:18 PM

Minister Heather Wyatt of the La Ronge United Church has been faithful to her role for 27 years, but June 23 will mark her final Sunday service before retirement.

She moved to La Ronge back in 1992 with her husband, Bob Wyatt, and has been leading the La Ronge United Church ever since. When she first arrived, she was part of a ministry preparation program and travelled to Edmonton on several occasions to complete her studies. Wyatt called the early days of her ministry as a busy and challenging time.

“The congregation was a little bit bigger, but it has pretty much remained the same size for us,” she said. “In the United Church, a lot of people come here for work and they would stay here for a certain period of time and they would leave.”

Currently, Wyatt stated there are about 50 families under pastoral care and she noted Sunday service can be quite small depending on the time of year. Other activities happening at the United Church include a choir who practice once per week, a women’s group who meet once per month, as well as occasional yoga sessions and another program called Saturday Café.

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

open house

Surplus forecasted for 2026 La Ronge operating budget

Nov 17, 2025

The United Church also has a strong belief in justice and inclusivity. Wyatt noted most members of the congregation are involved with community work, adding they are a hard-working group of individuals who not only seek justice in their own community, but around the world.

“I have always felt fortunate to be able to be here and for as long as I have been here,” she said. “There’s a special gift in the long-term ministry. You get to know people and are involved in their lives from the time they are born, for some of them, then you get to officiate at their wedding. That’s pretty special.”

The United Church located in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

A come and go retirement tea will be held for Wyatt June 15 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the United Church and residents are welcome to attend. It’s still unknown who will replace Wyatt, but she stated they are currently seeking someone for her position.

In the next year, Wyatt wants to do more work with the United Church on a regional level and will continue serving in her role as the La Ronge RCMP chaplain. She also mentioned she and her husband will not be leaving La Ronge.

“We love the North and the people here,” Wyatt said. “We’re both retiring here. I have no doubt I can be as busy as I chose to be.”

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno