The Summer of Creativity!

Hi friends! You may have noticed we’re quieter than usual on our calendar and social media. There’s been a lot going on, and not all things we had planned, so we wanted to send you a personal and ministry update:

Today marks one year since Gerald was discharged from the hospital.

2025 was filled with 911 calls, ambulances, and hospitalizations. Gerald had a battle with gallstones that required surgery and incited not just one but two intense rounds of pancreatitis. Over the year, we saw countless specialists, giving seemingly endless tests and medications.

We have nothing but praise for the doctors, nurses, and various professionals who cared for Gerald. Please keep our healthcare workers in your prayers - they need it!

Last year’s challenges exacerbated some existing health issues, and that’s what we’re continuing to deal with in this season. As you may know, Gerald suffers from severe arthritis in both his hips. Everything he does - sitting, standing, using the stairs - creates intense, chronic pain. Playing music, lugging our sound system, and performing live have all become very difficult. 

He saw an orthopaedic surgeon in December who gave us discouraging prognosis - Gerald would need to lose 50 lbs before he could even go on the waitlist for surgery. That would mean another possible 2-3 years of chronic pain! 

All of this affects our ability to work, make an income, serve in ministry, and cope with everyday life. We’re unable to tour, as the physical demands would be too much. We thought we would transition from a touring ministry to a church ministry, but God hasn’t opened that door yet.

Oh, in January - just to complicate life further - our roof sprung a leak, causing $17,000 in damages which, you guessed it, are not covered by insurance!

So, where does that leave us?

This chapter of our lives isn’t shaping up how we thought it might, 

and we’re starting to think that might be a good thing…

First, over a recent lunch visit, a dear friend shared her journey through a double knee replacement with a Toronto surgeon who specializes in helping patients with weight challenges. Very long story short, Gerald has an assessment appointment on July 15! Please keep us in prayer on that day. If this surgeon accepts Gerald as a patient, the surgery could happen in a fraction of the time and be literally life-changing!

Gerald has also started working with a weight loss clinic that will help him attain a healthier weight for surgery.

And second, our ministry is taking a turn, or turns, we just hadn’t anticipated …

After being released from the hospital last June, Gerald rested and then - he wrote!!! Songs just started pouring out of him! He hasn’t had this prolific a season since Nashville. We’ve been sharing the songs in concerts, but we know they have a bigger purpose. We’re exploring some exciting pathways to share these songs in new ways!

Allison had her first story professionally published in January 2022. Since then, she’s had over 100 short pieces professionally published! Writing doors are continuing to open for her. We can’t share all the details yet, but please stay tuned over the next few months for some very exciting projects and possibilities! 

We’re calling this THE SUMMER OF CREATIVITY!

We’re dedicating ourselves 100% to writing, singing, recording, and creating beautiful stuff!

Creativity needs time, space, inspiration, commitment, and separation from distractions.

There will be lots of time this summer when we’ll seem to be very quiet on social media. It’ll be intentional - not to be antisocial, but to give us time and space to pour our energies into the things we’re creating.

But we promise you - when we have stuff to share, you’ll be the first to know!

How can you join THE SUMMER OF CREATIVITY?

Everything we’re doing will be rooted in prayer, so please join us in praying for God’s direction and inspiration.

We’re available for local concerts and church services.

Gerald is teaching songwriting. Allison is teaching voice.

We’re both available to teach a variety of workshops, local or online.

Please consider booking us for a lesson or event!

We have CDs, downloads, and flashdrives available at www.InfinitelyMore.ca/store

Allison has several different Chicken Soup for the Soul books, available for pick up in St. Catharines or Burlington.

All sales support our ministry!

And … stay tuned! We continue to pray our “Infinitely More” inspiration verse, and let me tell you - God is definitely doing more than we could ever “ask or imagine”!

Blessings,

Allison + Gerald

Infinitely More

Ephesians 3:20

Lent & Easter Worship Residency!

 COME JOIN US THIS LENT & EASTER 

We're excited to partner with St. James Dundas for a spring Worship Residency! 

We'll lead music team rehearsals on Thursdays & all music for Sunday services.

And we want you to JOIN US!

We're making space for singers, musicians, and songwriters  share their gifts!

You can join the choir, play your instrument with us each Sunday, 

or simply join us one week for a special song.

Contact us for more info...

Celebrate a Blue Christmas - Published by Faith Today!

 

Do you "Celebrate a Blue Christmas"?

I'm thrilled to have my new article published by Faith Today!

You can read my article HERE.

Please feel free to share with your friends and church.

The Word Awards - WINNER!

 I'm thrilled and honoured to announce 

"I won a Word Award!!"

Given by The Word Guild, these awards honour "the Best of Canadian Christian Writing."

Earlier this summer, I received THREE nominations!

All three were for previously published pieces:

Devotional/Inspirational

“Trust This Good News!” - Warner Press, Inc.

Personal Experience - General Market

“The Last Noel” - Chicken Soup for the Soul

“Touch the Horizon” - Chicken Soup for the Soul

This week, we learned that "Touch the Horizon" 

won in its category!

Writing and publishing has been an unexpected chapter in my life (no pun intended!)

This award is such a piece of encouragement in a challenging year. 

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, 

and thank you to The Word Guild for supporting Canadian Christian writers!

You can find the full list of winners HERE.

Family Break!

After everything that's happened over the last few months, we've decided to take some family time!

We'll be offline for the next two weeks.

We'll be back in time for our next worship service on August 17.

Happy August, everyone!

MINISTRY UPDATE

Wednesday's Great Canadian Sing-along was tremendous!

And we're so glad it was, because it's going to need to sustain us for a while...

We won't offer another event for the next TWO MONTHS.

Never in our careers, not even in the pandemic, have we taken such a break, 

but right now, we really need to focus on Gerald's health.

His gallbladder surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 30.

As we've mentioned, there are a few additional health issues, so this month we'll be focusing on surgery prep and making sure Gerald is in the best position possible for surgery.

Our prayers are for a swift recovery, so we'll be ready for our week at 

Elim Lodge, June 29-July 5.

WHAT DOES OUR MINISTRY LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW?

- As Gerald's health allows, we're both taking time this month to write and create in gentle ways.

- Allison is available for online Voice lessons, as well as coaching sessions in Music Business (emerging and seasoned artists) and Goal Setting (musicians, writers & everyone!)

- Looking ahead to summer, we're booking Southern Ontario concerts and worship services for July and August. Please CONTACT us for more info!

ARE WE STILL INTERESTED IN A CHURCH POSITION?

- YES! But, our focus is on healing right now. 

We're trusting God will open that door when we're ready to accept it.

HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP?

- Please keep us, our family, and our medical team in prayer!

- If you wish to support our ministry by purchasing a CD or flash drive, or giving a donation, 

you can visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca/store

We're so grateful for all your love and support during this very trying season! 

Please know how much we appreciate and value each of you <3

Blessings,

Allison + Gerald

Infinitely More - Ephesians 3:20

Ministry Update with some GOOD NEWS!

It’s been 5 weeks since we rushed to the emergency room 

and Gerald was diagnosed with gallstones. 

It’s been a tremendously difficult month. We’re grateful for everyone who has shared their personal story with us. We’ve learned that gallstones are fairly common, immensely painful, and every person has their own unique journey. We’ve figured out the special dietary requirements (no fat, no spice, no caffeine), and Gerald has reached a much more stable place.

And that leads to the good news:

We have a Surgery Date!!!

We met with the surgeon last Monday.

Gerald will have his gallbladder surgery on Friday, May 30.

Here’s the plan:

Over the next two months, we’ll need to strictly stick to the diet to keep any gallbladder attacks at bay.

Gerald has a few other, unrelated conditions, so we’ll need a few extra appointments and communications just to make sure he’s in the best possible position for surgery.

Two weeks before surgery, he’ll be put on a high-protein, shake-based diet. We’re calling this his Supermodel Diet!

Finally, he’ll meet with the pre-surgical team at the hospital to make sure he’s cleared for surgery.

We have a great team of doctors, who have all been very knowledgeable and compassionate. 

And honestly, it just feels so good to have a plan in place!

So, where does that leave Infinitely More for now?

We have two events on the calendar here in St. Catharines - the annual Downtown Good Friday Walk and the Great Canadian Sing-along. Details at www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Calendar

We’re excited for both, but we don’t plan on doing any other events before the surgery. 

We’re currently booking concerts and worship services for July and August, and our hope is that we can have a fun and busy summer of singing!

We're also able to do a limited amount of online teaching in this season.

If you're interested in Voice or Songwriting lessons, please contact us via FACEBOOK or www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Contact

Allison is also offering coaching sessions on Goal Setting (for everyone!) and Touring, Concert Booking, and Music Business (for artists).

In the meantime, our main goal is to keep healthy, take care of one another,

stay close to God, and rest often as we lead up to the surgery date.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers, love, and support!

We are so grateful for each of you!

Blessings,

Allison + Gerald

To purchase or download music,

or to make a gift of ministry support,

please visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Store

Thank you!