Biography

Before studying Theology, Wendy taught elementary school in Chibougamau, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Ordained as a minister of the United Church of Canada, in 1997, she finds great joy in working with the poems and prayers of the ancient people whose words and visions and prophecies are recorded in the Bible. Wendy lives in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, with her husband, Michel, and their dog, Babe, in a manse and a cottage near a creek. Wendy MacLean makes poems the way my mother knit sweaters—wild with colour and plenty of room to grow into. The thing I like best is her gift for climbing that modern mythic fence between nature and human spirit. Ordained in the orchard she is. Her poems have the taste of it and at the heart of them, a seed of life. The Very Rev. Dr. Peter Short, United Church Moderator (2003-06) Think of a lively, intimate conversation with a thoughful friend and you are already into this captivating collection of poems. There is mystery here, a passion for Creation throughout, a joyful whimsy, a solid foundation of knowledge, and an obvious command of language. Readers will find themselves regularly ambushed by both beuaty and a profound sense of a compassionate God. Rev. Dr. Jim Sinclair, United Church General Secretary (2003-2006)

Books by Wendy MacLean

About the Book

Wendy Jean MacLean: ponders ducks and vegetables and delights in life´s small wonders. She likes to play with theories and tease the puns out of the (groaning) cosmos.

This is her second book of poetry. The first, Rough Angel, translated by Michel Gadoury, was published by Borealis Press in 2006.

Before studying Theology, Wendy taught elementary school in Chibougamau, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Ordained as a minister of the United Church of Canada, in 1997, she finds great joy in working with the poems and prayers of the ancient people whose words and visions and prophecies are recorded in the Bible. Wendy lives in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, with her husband, Michel, and their dog, Babe, in a manse and a cottage near a creek.

Wendy MacLean makes poems the way my mother knit sweaters—wild with colour and plenty of room to grow into. The thing I like best is her gift for climbing that modern mythic fence between nature and human spirit. Ordained in the orchard she is. Her poems have the taste of it and at the heart of them, a seed of life.

   The Very Rev. Dr. Peter Short, United Church Moderator (2003-06)

Think of a lively, intimate conversation with a thoughful friend and you are already into this captivating collection of poems. There is mystery here, a passion for Creation throughout, a joyful whimsy, a solid foundation of knowledge, and an obvious command of language. Readers will find themselves regularly ambushed by both beuaty and a profound sense of a compassionate God.

   Rev. Dr. Jim Sinclair, United Church General Secretary (2003-2006)

About the Book

   Wendy Jean MacLean celebrates the wisdom that poetry is ultimately about very practical and ordinary experiences, like life and death and geese and tomatoes. Her life as a mother, daughter, friend and sister, and minister in a small church keeps her surrounded by inspiration and delight. Wendy encourages her two sons, Angus and Chester, to reach for the stars and also tries to take her own advice.
   Before studying Theology, Wendy taught elementary school in Chibougamau, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. Ordained as a minister of the United Church of Canada, in 1977, Wendy finds great joy working with poems and prayers of ancient people whose words and visions and prophecies are recorded in the Bible. Wendy met Michel in a small country church (East Farnham) and they were married in May 2005.
   Wendy Jean MacLean célèbre la sagesse dont la poésie est l'ultime propos des expériences ordinaires et pratiques, comme la vie et la mort et les oies et les tomates. Sa vie, en tant que mère, fille, amie et sœur, et ministre dans une petite église la garde entourée d'inspiration et de plaisir. Comme elle encourage ses deux fils, Angus et Chester, d'atteindre les étoiles, Wendy essaie aussi de vivre ce conseil.
   Avant les études théologiques, Wendy enseignait à l'école élémentaire à Chibougamau, Arabie Saoudite et l'Éthiopie. En 1977, elle est ordonnée ministre pour l'Église unie du Canada. Elle découvre de grande joie de travailler avec les poèmes et les prières des peuples anciens dont les mots, les visions et les prophéties sont archivés dans la Bible. Wendy rencontra Michel dans une petite église de campagne (East Farnham) et ils ont été mariés en mai 2005.