Site Contributors

Judy Dudar
Nancy Nelson
Judy Grant
Pat Brennan
Marilyn Peacock
Janet Bardon
Martha Martin
Linda Yates
Brian Hawkins
Louisa Horne
Jennifer Watts
Brian Jay
Liam Petrie


Elaine Frampton
Communications Coordinator / Webminister

The Reverend Linda Yates

Prior to going into the ministry, Linda trained to be a medical laboratory assistant and managed an Infectious Disease Research Laboratory at Dalhousie. Once she had answered a persistent call to the ministry and became a theology student, she developed a fervent interest in the field of ethics.

Her studies were interrupted and her ordination delayed by surgery and chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Despite this, and with the support of her partner, Carl, and two sons, Shane and Matthew, she answered a call to minister in the Lower Musquodoboit area in 1999.

After two years of ministry she was diagnosed with advanced, metastatic cancer. She became involved in creating a support group with other women dealing with terminal illnesses in which they cared for one another by creating a safe space to grieve and to laugh. Two years after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer, she was told a mistake had been made: she did not have cancer. Linda buried the final member of the support group in 2004. Throughout this time she continued to minister in the Musquodoboit area. Her book Just Wait...There's More is an account of the learnings gleaned from these experiences.

Linda has a well-rounded "general practice" kind of ministry but she has special skills and interests in church revitalization, community development, conflict resolution, art, women's issues, family violence and ministry to youth and young adults. She is ecstatic about being called to serve St. John's United Church.

Martha Martin is a Diaconal Minister in the United Church of Canada. Diaconal Ministers are commissioned to a ministry of education, service, and pastoral care. Martha studied at the Centre for Christian Studies, one of the United Church of Canada's theological institutions, and was commissioned to diaconal ministry in 1999. She comes to St. John's and St. Andrew's after spending eleven years as Ecumenical Chaplain at Mount Saint Vincent University, and the past three years as the United Church Chaplain at Dalhousie University, both part-time positions. This past year she has also been the Coordinator for Congregational Life programs at Tatamagouche Centre, one of the United Church's lay education centres.

Martha was also the Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator at St. John's from 1996-2003. She left this position to take up the United Church chaplaincy job at Dalhousie. She has worked with youth and young adults in the church for over 20 years. Martha also brings experience working at the regional and national levels of the United Church, most recently as the Chair of the Worship Committee for the 39th General Council in Thunder Bay in August, 2006.

Ray Grant has led the Ministry of Music at St. John's since 1977. A graduate of the Dalhousie University Music Department and the NS Teachers' College, Ray's career as been spent in public school music in Nova Scotia. His second career, which ran concurrently, involved music in various churches around the province, where he embraced divergent roles as organist, music director and bass soloist.

When asked what he enjoys most about his work at St John's, Ray says the best part is working with the adults, children and youth in the weekly choir rehearsals. "The special thing about the music program here is the commitment and talent of the people involved. I have been blessed by people who actually love what we are doing, whether it be singing in one of the choirs, playing in the bells or playing in one of our instrumental ensembles. There is such a pool of talent. I absolutely love church work and have enjoyed my 30+ years here at St. John's. I love the freedom I am given to use my talents in any way which will forward the work of this congregation. I have worked with four ministers during my time here and have experienced little in terms of constraints. I value the wonderful church music of the past and embrace that which I consider worthy in the music being created for the church today. The St. John's United Congregation is moving forward and I am proud to be a member of a vibrant team which is helping it do that very thing."