Scott Swanson is an educator, writer, and spiritual director with a passion for witnessing and facilitating the transformation of individuals and organizations toward achieving their own deeper purpose. Scott was born and raised on the lower mainland of BC and studied literature and philosophy before entering seminary in 1994. He was ordained by The United Church of Canada in 1998 and has worked in full time congregational ministry in Manitoba and BC since then. In 2008 he began specializing with congregations in transition. Scott has traveled in Europe, Africa and Canada. He enjoys drumming, reading and cooking. He and his partner Jennifer have four children between them and live in Langley, British Columbia.

Rev Jen comes to us as ordained supply since September 2008. She received her theological education from Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained in 2005 in the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada. Previously Rev Jen was the minister of word, sacrament and pastoral care at Grace Memorial United in Vancouver. Her life before ministry included Student Services Administration at UPEI and Mount Allison University and Guidance counselling in Bermuda. She has a passion for life and for learning.

An award-winning soloist, piano teacher, organist and sought-after accompanist, Miri Lee received Undergraduate and Masters degrees in piano performance from UBC and holds an ARCT piano performer’s diploma. She is an in-demand wedding accompanist and the winner of numerous trophies and scholarships from piano competitions. In 2005, Miri was selected by CBC Radio to perform in a national broadcast, and she plays for the Vancouver Opera. Besides her life at the keyboard, Miri loves reading, playing with her dogs, playing harp & organ and ballroom & salsa dancing. As Minister of Music at Gilmore Park United Church, Miri plays piano and pipe organ and conducts the chancel choir and worship band.

To learn more about Miri visit her website.

Anne Marie comes to Gilmore Park from an administrative career in business that included secretarial and customer service positions. Along the way she acquired a BA in History at York University. Since joining the staff of Gilmore Park in February 2004, her experience has been an asset to the church’s ministry through office administration, bookkeeping, property and rentals.

After living most of her life in Toronto, she and her husband moved to Richmond in 1991. She enjoys walks along the dyke, theatre at the Stanley and the many other activities possible year-round in the lower mainland.

  Email Anne Marie

Grant is a retired police officer and military man who has been married for over 30 years. He attributes his long and happy marriage to the fact that God has constantly been present with him and his wife, even through tough times. Grant has always had a love for protocol and ceremony, and is an experienced public speaker. Articulate and compassionate with a witty sense of humour, his gifts and passion for helping couples get off on the right foot led him to be trained and licensed as a lay minister of marriages.

Karen has been cooking for large groups for over 30 years. She grew up with a large extended family where Christmas Dinner was regularly for 40 or more people. Karen operates her own business as a personal chef and caterer (Your Secret Chef). She provides meal preparation, shopping and catering services for clients throughout the Lower Mainland, for groups ranging from 1 to 200 guests. As the Biscotti Queen, Karen bakes handmade mini-biscotti for fundraisers, corporate gifts, and specialty shops. Karen has particular interest in good home cookin', and with being connected to the food she cooks. Her Community Garden plot is designed to be low maintenance but prolific, with the goal of sharing the harvest for the Community Meal. Unusual venues she has worked in include the portable kitchen at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (10,000 meals in 72 hours), and outside the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (bbq salmon for 900), Chow Mein luncheons for 300 @ Steveston UC, and backstage at Performance Works during the Jazz Festival (lunch for 3).Karen was a delegate to the Ethnic Ministries Convention of the United Church in 1992. Her two children graduated from the French Immersion program at McRoberts School.