The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund was established by Alison’s family at AST. Created in memory of Rev. Alison Etter (MDiv'11), who passed away on Valentine’s Day 2024, this fund carries forward her legacy of community-building, creativity, and deep solidarity. 

The fund provides annual grants to AST alumni whose work reflects Alison’s values and spirit. It has grown thanks to the generosity of friends, organizations, and people who have been impacted by Alison. It is a perpetual fund that will make annual grants from returns on ethical investments.

The 2026 winners

The theme for 2026 was “peace.” The Alison Etter Fund Committee sought out projects or continuing education initiatives that build or promote peace in our local communities or the wider world. 

Here are more details on the 2026 winners and the projects the Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund will be supporting. 

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A Summer Peace Gathering for the Zimbabwean Diaspora 

Rev. Dr. Shepherd Munikwa

MA (Theology & Religion), Class of 2017 

The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund will help finance food and a venue for a one-day summer peace gathering for Zimbabweans living in New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia, organized by Rev. Dr. Shepherd Munikwa.

This group consists of diasporic Zimbabweans who migrated to Atlantic Canada for work, education, asylum, and other reasons. Many are facing significant challenges in the resettlement process, most notably racism in its various forms.

This peace gathering will provide a supportive space for participants to share their experiences, learn together, and pray together. It will be a moment for building family and strengthening community bonds. 

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A Sacred Song of Peace: Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites to Record Congregational Worship Piece 

Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites 

MA (Theology & Religion), Class of 2012

Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites will engrave and record a contemporary Christian worship song based on Philippians 4:6 in Alison’s honour.

Dr. Waites envisions a highly participatory, congregational song where people collectively sing these words of Scripture as a musical call to live their faith in the fullest measure of Christ’s grace and peace.

To bring this vision to life, the song will be tracked in a local recording studio, allowing the audio to be paired with a simple lyric video for congregations to use.

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Caretakers of Creation: Nurturing a Vibrant Community Garden 

Bonita Slunder

Certificate in Stewardship, Class of 2025 

Bonita Slunder’s project will secure vermiculite—a critical soil moisture absorber—for the Greater Glory Garden at her church. This vibrant community garden donates fresh produce to local food banks and hosts a "Junior Gardeners" program, where children learn how to tend plants through workshops she leads. 

The Greater Glory Garden (GGG) and the Pollination Station (PP) were established following the 200th Congregational Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Prescott, Ontario, in 2021. Guided by the motto “Roots on Earth, growing towards Heaven,” it was beautifully fitting that this faithful community would support the endeavour with such generous and wholehearted commitment.

Open to all, the Greater Glory Garden is a continuation of the congregation's longstanding commitment to serve where needed and act as good stewards and caretakers of creation.