Rev. Joe earned a master’s of divinity degree at Chicago Theological Seminary, which included classes on spiritual care and worship service design. He then worked through a rigorous residency program through the United Methodist Church as he led a mid-sized congregation. Through these processes of learning, Rev. Joe works with couples with an eye toward the rest of their lives—not just the wedding day itself.

Rev. Joe currently leads Streetsville United Church in Mississauga, Ontario. You can learn more about getting married there by checking out the church’s website here.

Yes! Rev. Joe is committed to engaging each person as they are, and he celebrates the full spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. The United Church of Canada also encourages ministers to work with people in the 2S-LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, Rev. Joe is a member of Affirm United, an organization of 2S-LGBTQIA+ people and allies within the United Church of Canada.

As an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, Rev. Joe roots all his professional activity in Christian tradition. If the inclusion of elements from religious traditions beyond Christianity in your wedding is important to you, it is best that you engage a leader in that religious tradition. However, Rev. Joe is willing to work with another religious leader in some contexts.

You can email Rev. Joe at revjoehopkins@streetsvilleunited.ca or call him at his church office at 905-826-1542 ex. 2.

If you are interested in getting married by Rev. Joe at Streetsville United Church, please review the church wedding policy here.

If you are interest in Rev. Joe officiating your wedding beyond the church campus, the standard rate is $350 plus travel costs ($0.55/km).

Some words that people use to describe Rev. Joe include “creative,” “sincere,” and “flexible.”

The best way to find out is by talking with Rev. Joe yourself! You can also read more testimonials here.