With Thanksgiving and Joy: Archdeacon Deborah Kraft Installed as Police Chaplain

The Diocese of Algoma celebrates the appointment of Archdeacon Deborah Kraft as Chaplain to the Thunder Bay Police Service.

On Wednesday, July 9, Chaplain Kraft was officially sworn in and took her formal oath during a ceremony at the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters. The event was attended by Justice of the Peace Jerry Woods, Chief Darcy Fleury, Deputy Chiefs Ryan Hughes and Jeremy Pearson, Thunder Bay Police Service Board members Ken Boshcoff and Kasey Etreni, and members of Chaplain Kraft’s family.

In a news release from the Thunder Bay Police Service, Chief Darcy Fleury said, “The chaplain is a unique and vital part of our police family. They are a source of calm, a trusted confidant, and a steady presence in times of both personal and professional crisis.”

Archdeacon Kraft has been the Anglican Archdeacon of the Thunder Bay-North Shore Deanery since 2011 and served as the priest at St. Paul’s Anglican Church from 2005 to 2023. According to the Thunder Bay Police Service, she has long been a pastoral presence in the policing community, leading the annual National Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day service in Thunder Bay for many years and beginning her work with the Thunder Bay Police Service in 2020.

Chaplain Kraft provides spiritual guidance in a non-denominational manner, whether offering support after critical incidents, checking in with members, or sharing inspiring messages. She holds multiple degrees, including an MBA from the University of Toronto and an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Thorneloe University.

Archbishop Anne Germond offered these words: “With thanksgiving and joy, we celebrate Archdeacon Deborah’s appointment as Chaplain to the Thunder Bay Police Service. Deborah has long been a faithful and compassionate leader in the Diocese of Algoma. She will bring her deep pastoral gifts to this ministry, offering care, encouragement, and hope to the police service and their families. We pray for God’s blessing on her and all those she will serve in this important role.”

📸 Read the full Thunder Bay Police Service news release on their  Facebook page and view their photo gallery here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/173VpCs8cs/?mibextid=wwXIfr