MEET THE STAFF MINISTRY TEAM

Paul Borthistle, Interim Priest

Paul is married to Valerie, and they are the parents of three adult children. He is originally from Winnipeg and came to Vancouver with Valerie over thirty years ago. Paul began his career in lay student ministry and spent twelve years in business. He was ordained in the Diocese of New Westminster and served as Incumbent of St. Anne – Steveston, and a decade as Director for Parish Support Ministries in the diocese. Paul cares passionately about community and living fully the blessings of life. pborthistle@stmaryskerrisdale.ca

Kelly Duncan, Associate Priest
Kelly was born in Toronto but she and her family slowly made their way west during her childhood to finally call Vancouver “home.” She received a B.Com (Marketing) from UBC in 1994 and worked in the business community for over ten years before God called her to ordained ministry. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Vancouver School of Theology in April 2008 and has been at St. Mary’s since August of that year. She is married to Shaun and when she is not at work, she can be found playing with their young daughter. Her priorities at St. Mary’s for the 2010/2011 year are centennial celebrations and communications within and beyond the parish. kduncan@stmaryskerrisdale.ca

David Taylor, Assistant Curate
David is a West-Coast convert after moving to Vancouver from Calgary for school. He has a Masters in Christian Spirituality (Regent ’07) and a Masters of Divinity (VST ’08). His interests are in spiritual development within families and the wider parish. David likes to bring music into his work as a way to engage families and youth in the great Christian themes of love and joy. “The kingdom of God is about Justice, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 dtaylor@stmaryskerrisdale.ca

Brigid Coult, Music Director
Brigid was born in England and earned a music degree from Liverpool University and spent several years in teaching and Arts Administration before coming to Canada in 1982. Her church music connections in Vancouver include having worked with Patrick Wedd and Rupert Lang at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, before her appointments as music director at St. Alban’s in Richmond and, since January 2002, at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale.

Brigid served on the Bishop’s Liturgy Commission and with the Hymn Book Task Force that created the new Common Praise hymnbook for the Anglican Church of Canada. She has sung with the Vancouver Bach Choir, Phoenix and Elektra, conducted the Vancouver City Singers for 10 years and has directed the 70-voice Richmond Chorus since 1994. Brigid served on the Board of the BCCF for more than 20 years, and was its President for 13 years. In addition to her work at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale, she teaches voice and piano privately and is a respected clinician and adjudicator.

Susan Ohannesian, Organist
Susan was born in Victoria, grew up in Vancouver and earned a music degree from UBC in 1974, and from 1976 to 2001 was music director at St. Philip’s in Dunbar. In February 2002, she was appointed organist at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale, and since then has taken on the duties of directing the handbell, junior and cherubs choirs.

Susan sings with Elektra women’s choir and, in addition to her work at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale, she teaches organ and piano privately.

John Taylor, Verger
The Verger oversees the operation of the physical plant of the church, acts as master of ceremonies in worship services and prepares the booking schedule.

Christine Mitchell, Parish Administrator
The Parish Administrator oversees the administration of the church office and performs the accounting functions of the parish.

Sheila Whelan, Parish Secretary
The Parish Secretary performs secretarial services for the clergy and wardens, clerical duties in the church office and works with volunteers as the office receptionist.