Minister
Rev. Bruce Sanguin
Bruce was called to Canadian Memorial in July, 1996, after serving two other congregations in Ontario, Canada. He has led Canadian Memorial through an intentional process to help the congregation do church differently. For one thing, we celebrate that each of us is called to serve – not just paid ministers. What this means on the ground is that we live out of a spiritual principle we call “ministry anywhere, anytime, by anybody”. It’s just part of our culture.
As well, we are part of an expanding movement of open-minded churches that celebrate, (not just tolerate), that there are many paths to the Holy – different religions, multiple traditions, and non-believers all are different and valid windows on reality. What this means in practice is that we work together with a wide variety of religious and non-religious groups to help make the world a better place.
We also recognize that we live in an evolutionary universe. As part of this evolving miracle of life, we never fully arrive spiritually. Truth is an ever-receding horizon, as is the heart of the Holy. We are suspicious of anybody or any group who claim to be in possession of the absolute truth, or to have no more growing to do. We are all evolving deeper into the mystery of the Holy. Spiritual growth and conscious evolution is a big part of our spiritual path at Canadian Memorial.
On personal level, Bruce plays guitar, practices hot yoga, plays golf whenever possible, and when his rotator cuff is fully healed he’ll be back on the tennis courts. He is an avid film buff and obsessed by Integral Philosophy and Spirituality. He is married to Ann Evans. His daughter, Sarah Carter, is a successful actor in Los Angeles. Books by Bruce Sanguin:
Contact Rev. Bruce Sanguin
by phone at (604) 731-3101 extension 2
contact Bruce by email
www.brucesanguin.com
Minister of Music
Neil Weisensel
Neil has been Minister of Music at Canadian Memorial United Church since 2000, where he directs the 30-voice Chancel choir, directs the Worship Band and the Peace-in-the-City Band, arranges and composes music for special events, and plans the music portion of each Sunday service with Minister Bruce Sanguin.
As a conductor, Neil has worked with Vancouver Opera, Manitoba Opera, Tapestry Music Theatre in Toronto, Vancouver New Music, the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, and the two chamber groups at Canadian Memorial that he founded: the Peace Centre Brass and the Peace Centre Chamber Orchestra.
As a composer, Neil has written five operas, as well as works for orchestra, songs, a musical, chamber and choral music, and music for big band. Recent highlights include composing a work for performance by the Victoria Symphony, opening for Academy Award and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, and composing and performing an original song for former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation with his wife, the singer Rachel Landrecht. Neil has written and arranged big band music for Michael Bublé and has received grants, fellowships, and commissions from The National Endowment for the Arts (U.S.), the Canada Council, the Manitoba and BC Arts Councils, OPERA America, the Vancouver Opera Guild, and the Banff Centre. He holds degrees in composition and piano performance from the University of Manitoba and the University of British Columbia, and has also studied orchestral conducting at the Conservatoire Nationale de Musique in Toulon, France.
In addition to his art music, Neil has composed, orchestrated and produced a wide variety of original music for feature film and documentaries, with networks such as the CBC, Bravo!, TSN, WTN, and CTV Sportsnet. Internationally, he has produced music for large-scale multi-media installations, such as the German pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany. Neil and Rachel have one daughter, Miracle, born in 2006, who is the love of their life.
Contact Neil Weisensel
by phone at (604) 731-6819
contact Neil by email
http://www.neilmusic.com
Minister of Pastoral Care
Susan DuMoulin
Susan’s sense of call has led her to serve half-time as Minister of Pastoral Care for Canadian Memorial United Church for the last twelve years. In this role she coordinates our Ministry for Seniors and administers our "Living Your Spiritual Gifts" process. She facilitates our Centerpoint Spiritual Pilgrimage.
She brings experience from previous work in the fields of education, social work and grief recovery. She also has a private practice in counselling and spiritual guidance. Susan received her Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree in May 2006.
Her passions include walking in and communing with nature, puttering in her balcony gardens, spending time with family and friends, witnessing her daughter Shauna’s and son-in-law, Josh's lives unfold, spending one day a week with her young God-daughter Miracle, and sharing her home with her beautiful cat, Avalon.
Contact Susan DuMoulin
by phone at (604) 731-3101 extension 3
contact Susan by email
Office Administrator
Peter Turton
Canadian Memorial's Office Administrator greets people and answers the phone in the church's office in the Centre for Peace. The Administrator handles all bookings for the church and centre. Lots of other items such as bulletins, announcements and newsletters are managed by the office staff and volunteers. If you are uncertain where to go or who to ask, Peter is a good place to start.
Peter is a Certified General Accountant (C.G.A.) whose travels through his career have included Controller, V.P. Finance and Management Consulting roles. He has three children, one son and two girls, one with permanent special needs and one with hopefully resolvable special needs.
Peter is interested in the spiritual journey through life and enjoys writing and public speaking with his latest talks being on Finding Meaning in Life, Service and The Mastery of Fear and Other Difficult Emotions.
Contact Peter Turton
by phone at (604) 731-3101 extension 4
contact Peter by email
Custodian
Luis Otero
Luis is a man of many talents, and keeps the Church and Centre in spotless shape and good repair. Luis is also in charge of setting up (and take down) of facilities to meet the various user needs.
Contact Luis Otero
by phone at (604) 731-3101
Minister for Children, Youth, & Families
Dana Luccock
Dana Luccock, originally from Lions Bay, B.C., returns to Vancouver from Toronto where she has been living for eight years. Having spent many beautiful summers working with children and youth at Naramata Centre, Camp Fircom, Sorrento Centre and Camp Owaissi, she is thrilled to bring her love of children’s ministry to Canadian Memorial. Since arriving in September, she has been sharing new songs and craft ideas in Children’s Church, and enjoying getting to know the youngest members of this congregation and their families. When not playing her guitar and finger painting in Children’s Church, Dana studies Opera Performance at the Vancouver Academy of Music, teaches private voice lessons, cooks lavish vegetarian meals, and goes salsa dancing as often as possible!
Contact Dana by email
Wedding Director
Marion Allaart
Marion is the person to call to arrange a wedding date or to work out answers to questions you might have about wedding planning. As she works largely from home it is best to send Marion an email or leave a message at her home number. She will get back to you promptly. Marion is available to meet with wedding couples every other Tuesday evening for a site tour (by appointment only) at 6 pm and from time to time at other pre-arranged times
Contact Marion
by phone at (604) 731-5052
contact Marion by email
Coordinator of Hospitality
Mary Lou Whittaker
Mary Lou helps people find volunteer opportunities in the church that suit their spirit given gifts. This is a volunteer position for Mary Lou, so her hours will vary.
Contact Mary Lou
by phone(604) 731-3101
contact Mary Lou by email
Coordinator of Lay Ministry
Anita Kilberg
Anita maintains a complement of members for core Ministry Teams.
(Finance, Property, Personnel and Spiritual Pathways.) She promotes through announcements and personal communication a culture of creative emergence.
Anita's duties include:
- Recruiting potential Board members with the nominations Team.
- Supporting and recognizing the contributions of Lay Ministers.
- Managing minor property upgrades and decor.
- Communicating at staff meetings accomplishments, needs and changes.
Anita also coordinates the "In From The Cold Program."
Contact Anita
by phone(604) 731-2399.
contact Anita by email