“You’re here?!”
I get this response a fair bit when I’m at church on a Sunday when I’m not preaching. I suppose people have seen on the sign or the eblast that Dayle or a guest is preaching and figured that means I’m out of town. I still am tempted to tease the surprised person: yeah, I do have to show up for work occasionally!
Friends: you may have noticed some new faces in our official leadership ranks. They’re not all unfamiliar: Olivia LaPointe has sung for us for years, and has just moved back from New Brunswick. But Fraser Elsdon and Matthew Coulthard are brand new to us. Here is a bit about them. Note: always feed the interns! Seriously, they’re eager to get to know you, so ask them to coffee or meals and get to know them! - Jason
Josh Del Rosario has worked at TEMC as digital coordinator since 2016. He began working as our youth ministry coordinator in January of 2024. He is a champion team player, always working to help others on the staff to do our work better. We talked about his older work with us, his newer youth work, and his life and faith.
Interview with Bonnie Marsh, our Sunday School Coordinator and Director of children’s Ministry
Where I grew up in Newfoundland, there were two churches: the United Church and the Salvation Army. My friends went to the United Church. That’s where I first learned about God, grew in my faith, and became a Christian. I was about seven years old.
Friends, I’m so excited our summer preacher series is upon us! Several of these preachers will preach on “rude praise,” some from the Psalms, some from other places. Here they are:
Joanne Leatch (Biography) is our new minister of pastoral care. She is a long-time, well-known, and beloved leader in many areas of our church. This is a chance to get to know her, her work, and her family a little better.
A few Sundays back, our beloved soprano Ellen McAteer sang the Lord’s Prayer with a ferocity I’ve rarely heard. This was at our 11 am traditional service, mind you. When she finished, we applauded. I wasn’t surprised. We applaud often at our 9:15 contemporary service. And Ellen’s version was celestial.
Have you ever been part of a job search where your institution looks far and wide, and then finds the right person right in your midst?
We have had such a season at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. We had applications for our minister of pastoral care from all over the world and interviewed candidates from all over Canada. Bob Edmison led our search committee with thoroughness and care, and decided on the right candidate: our own Joanne Leatch.
I’ve gotten to know someone who’s newer to worshiping at our church’s 9:15 service. She calls herself a “whooper.” If a song is particularly good, she whoops. ‘Not my fault,’ she said. ‘You guys led the good song.’
Friends I am so glad to introduce you to one of the most innovative ministries I know in Canada, and worldwide. Because they’re coming to our church.