Rev. Carolin MacMillan is the Minister at Appleby United Church in Burlington. She was ordained in the United Church of Canada in May 2024 and, upon ordination, accepted a Call to serve Appleby as its full-time Ordained Minister.
Carolin completed her Master of Divinity through the Summer Distance Program at the Atlantic School of Theology from June 2019 to May 2024. This program allowed her to remain engaged in full-time ministry while completing full-time theological studies, combining online coursework with annual intensive study in Halifax.
During her studies, Carolin served as solo Student Minister at Ebenezer United Church from October 2019 to June 2021. She then served as solo Student Minister at Appleby United Church from August 2021 until her ordination in May 2024. Following ordination, she accepted the Call to continue serving Appleby in ordained ministry.
Carolin first felt called to ministry in her early adulthood. Life circumstances meant that this call unfolded over time rather than along a straight path. In 2018, encouraged by members of her congregation, she returned to formal theological education, trusting that the timing was right for her to continue a long-held call.
Carolin believes that God’s call takes many forms. For some, the path is clear and direct; for others, the call is revealed gradually over time through life experience, community, and faithfulness. Her ministry is rooted in helping people look for God in their everyday lives. She believes faith is lived not only in worship, but in ordinary moments—in relationships, questions, challenges, and acts of love—and that God is often discovered as we walk together. With a warm, conversational preaching style, Carolin seeks to create worship that is welcoming, thoughtful, and spiritually grounding.