MEET THE STAFF MINISTRY TEAM
Kevin Dixon, Rector
Kevin is married to Diane, and although they have no children of their own they sometimes borrow their friends' kids. Kevin was born in Sarnia, Ontario to a family with deep Canadian roots. Before he was nine years old he lived in four different towns, but thinks of Windsor, Ontario as home. Influenced by a godly father, himself an Anglican priest, Kevin committed his life to Christ at the age of ten. Through high school Kevin worked in a deli but decided slicing headcheese for the rest of his life was a waste of the gifts God has given him. Kevin went to the University of Windsor in 1981 where he did a Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to Huron College in London, Ontario where he did a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained in 1987. Kevin served two different parishes in the Diocese of Huron in southern Ontario before coming to St. Mary's Kerrisdale in 1997. kdixon@stmaryskerrisdale.ca Associate Priest
This position is vacant Ted Celiz, Interim Associate Priest
Born and raised in England, I grew up in Bedford, Bedfordshire. I served an apprenticeship and became an electrical engineer in adult life. In my late twenties I immigrated to South Africa. In South Africa I first experienced the church under persecution for its anti-apartheid stance. St Mary’s Cathedral became my spiritual home and it was as a member of the Cathedral parish that I offered myself for ordained ministry and was accepted. At that time I was working as an engineer and began my training for ministry by extension as an external student. I began full-time seminary training at St Paul’s College in Grahamstown, graduating in 1976.
During my time at the Cathedral I met Elizabeth (Liz). We married while I was at seminary in 1975. Out two sons Robin and Nicholas were both born in South Africa. Liz came to South Africa from Montreal, where she was born and grew up. After serving two curacies I was invited back to St Paul’s to serve as a lecturer and mentor for first year students. After four years as a ‘prof’’ I returned to parish ministry and served two rectorships. As a family, we immigrated to Canada in 1996.
Liz and I were in South Africa for the ‘70s and the ‘80s which were the tough years of the apartheid regime. Yet, these were also exciting and formative years and I’m glad that my sons grew up in that context and received their schooling in the first and only genuinely non-racial school. In defiance of the government and in the face of threats of closure that school had opened its doors to kids of all races, all religions and both sexes. We feel privileged to have been in South Africa and to have voted in that country’s first democratic election in 1994.
It has been my great privilege to have worked closely with Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Des) as his Director of Post Ordination Training, while he was the Dean of Johannesburg. It was also my privilege to work closely with other great figures in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Upon arrival in Canada, I began work as the Incumbent of the Parish of Salmon Arm/Sicamous in the Diocese of Kootenay, BC. The boys finished their schooling in Salmon Arm.
At the end of February I moved to Vancouver and am now serving as the part-time, Interim Associate Priest at St Mary’s, Kerrisdale and I’m just loving it. tedceliz@stmaryskerrisdale.ca Kelly Duncan, Assistant Curate
Kelly started her new position as Assistant Curate at St. Mary's on August 15, 2008. The position of Assistant Curate can be likened to an internship or apprenticeship. Kelly finished her formal training, having earned a Master of Divinity degree from Vancouver School of Theology in April 2008 and she is continuing her learning by experiencing ordained ministry in the parish for the next two years. Her goal is to experience the breadth of ministry at St. Mary's and her first two priorities are Sunday School and Communications. Clara King, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator
Clara is wondering if this is the year that YOU get more involved with the SMK Youth or Young Adult Ministry? Contact her today at clara.smk@gmail.com
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.
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