Our Ministry Team
Please find below an introduction to our clergy and staff.
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Canon Stephen Peake
Rector, St. Bride's
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Rev. Jillian Ruch
Curate, St. Bride’s |
Stephen has been ordained for 33 years, and has spent 17 of those years at St Bride’s. He is Dad to two grown sons: Daniel and Tom. During their teenage years, Stephen could be found travelling to baseball diamonds across Eastern Canada and through the United States, as both boys played competitively. Stephen grew up in British Columbia, and graduated from the University of Victoria with a History degree, and then studied theology in England for a year and graduated from Wycliffe College (Toronto).
Stephen has served in parishes in Toronto, northern B.C. and Halifax. He spent many of his summers at church camps while at university. Stephen has a variety of interests including cycling (especially mountain biking), travel, flight simulation (ask me!), sports (especially baseball and football), reading, music and computers. He enjoys serving God in this church, and welcomes you to stop by the church and say “hello” anytime!
Favourite Bible Verse:
1 John 4:7-8
Favourite Hymns:
Traditional: And Can It Be
Contemporary: In Christ Alone
(Last updated: November 2022) |
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Jillian is married to Chris. They have quite a blessed and full family, with two boys aged almost 16 and 13 1/2 years old, a 17 year old cat and a lovable family dog named Teagan. Jillian and Chris met at a summer camp, as counsellors, 22 years ago and have lived both in England and Canada over their 20 years of married life. One of the biggest passions shared by their family members (maybe not the cat!) is sailing. Jillian continuously is amazed by God's creation when either near or on the water and finds tremendous peace as she is enjoying her surroundings! Her eldest son races very competitively and has even sailed as far away as Argentina representing Canada in that class of boat. Her youngest son is proud to serve in the Army Cadets Program as a Cadet.
Before being called into this formal ministry role, Jillian was a social worker, mainly in the child welfare sector. She was a front line worker for many years, mainly working with families in various states of crisis, and then for 6 years as a supervisor of a team of child protection workers. Jillian loved this work very much, but feels like this new role is an extension of the ministry she was previously doing with families in the community.
Jillian can't wait to meet you and please feel free to connect with her. She knows that she may not have all the answers, but would really welcome entering into conversation with you!
Favourite Bible Verse:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (feel free to ask her why!)
Favourite Hymns:
Traditional: Be Thou My Vision
Contemporary: My Lighthouse
(Last updated: November 2022) |