Our Staff
Our Staff
Rev. Dal McCrindle
Minister Emeritus
July 1, 2022 -
The Rev. Dal McCrindle, having served churches in Manitoba, Northern British Columba, St. David's (mid 80's) Vancouver and Maple Ridge retired in 2006 back to West Vancouver and West Vancouver United Church. In 2019 he stepped in as interim minister at St. David's United Church for 6 months which, due to the pandemic, lead to 2 years of exciting changes at St. David and is now the Minister of Emeritus at St. David's.
Rev. Dal believes it is most important to have a vibrant faith community at the corner of Taylor Way and the Upper Levels Highway since it is the most visible church location in the Vancouver area.
St. David's is a light to the saving significance of Jesus to all who pass by and a beacon of hospitality, comfort and peace to all who enter.
Rev. Philip Francis
Minister
July 1, 2022
July 1, 2022
philip@stdavidsunited.com
Rev. Philip Francis was called to St. David’s as Minister from July 1, 2022, following his ordination as a minister of “word, sacrament and pastoral care” in the United Church of Canada at Prince George on July 12. As a Candidate for ordination, Philip served previously as supervised minister at both St. David’s and Tsawwassen United Church.
Philip comes to St. David’s following previous careers in government service and portfolio management. In 2017, Philip heard God’s call to leave the investment industry and enroll as a full-time theology student. It marked the start of a new chapter in Philip’s life that has now led him to St. David’s.
Philip graduated from the Master of Divinity program at the Vancouver School of Theology in May 2021, which included periods of field education at First United Church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
“I am humbled to be serving the beloved community of St. David’s” says Philip “and I look forward to helping the congregation grow in depth and breadth. All are welcome here in this thoughtful, diverse and loving community.”
Philip was active in the Church of England before moving to Canada with his wife Maggie and 3 children in 1988. In 1990, he joined the United Church of Canada, attracted by its “spacious and gracious” theology and progressive views on social issues. Philip and Maggie have five young grandchildren in Vancouver and Toronto.
Leslie Buerschaper
Coordinator - Community Partnerships
August 1, 2022
leslie@stdavidsunited.com
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” - Rumi
Leslie is a student at the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) when she is pursuing a diploma in denominational studies as part of her path to ordination in the United Church of Canada. In the
spring of 2019 with a master’s degree in Public and Pastoral Leadership. Her main focus was in inter-religious studies, research on inter-generational trauma, primarily related to the Holocaust, and field work in spiritual and pastoral care in emergency management and with first responders.
Leslie holds an Honours BA in Child, Youth and Family counselling. Prior to moving to Vancouver, Leslie worked in mental health and with young offenders and their families in the Toronto District School Board. Leslie has also taught ESL and life skills training to new
Canadians.
For 30 years, Leslie has also worked as a sculptor where she owned a garden art company with her dad. Leslie now creates art pieces as part of her ministry. She is also a member of the Sculptors’ Society of British Columbia, who she exhibits with regularly. In her community of North Vancouver, Leslie is the volunteer Chaplain/Spiritual Care Provider
for North Shore Emergency Management and co-facilitated a spiritually based mental health
support group at Mount Seymour United Church, as is a Block Watch Captain and Zone Liaison.
Leslie holds certificates in: Mental Health First Aid from the Canada Commission for Mental Health, Resilient Minds from the Canadian Mental Health Association and Vancouver Fire Rescue through the BC Association of Fire Chaplains, Peer Support Worker through Vancouver
Coastal Health, Peer Support Group Facilitation from Sanctuary Ministries and is a Member of the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care. Leslie is also in the process of obtaining her
marriage officiant license through the United Church of Canada.
Leanne Gilhuis
Administrator
admin@stdavidsunited.com
The North Shore has been Leanne’s home since the early 1980’s. It was here that she was introduced to life in the church and has been attending for 25 years. Leanne has been fortunate to not only work in an administrative capacity for outstanding private companies but also to have been an independent business owner. Since her arrival at St. David’s in 2010, she has been blessed to have served as a member of the St. David’s staff.
Leanne loves to garden, and spending time alone in the garden is a place of quiet renewal. Another favourite way to spend time is with her three daughters, nieces, grand niece, mom and sister. A lot of girls and a lot of laughter. One daughter has now moved on to her own home, and Leanne has been inspired and proud to watch another become a beautiful dancer and seen her youngest develop an athletic ability that will take her far in life.
Leanne loves to garden, and spending time alone in the garden is a place of quiet renewal. Another favourite way to spend time is with her three daughters, nieces, grand niece, mom and sister. A lot of girls and a lot of laughter. One daughter has now moved on to her own home, and Leanne has been inspired and proud to watch another become a beautiful dancer and seen her youngest develop an athletic ability that will take her far in life.
Advertisement-St David's Music Director (September, 2022)
Job Description:
St. David’s United Church in West Vancouver is a small, vibrant spiritual community,
blessed to worship in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are currently searching for a Music Director to join our theologically progressive ministerial team and congregation. This role will include providing leadership for congregational singing and supporting the choir. Strong accompaniment on piano with expertise on organ is a benefit and encouraging the involvement of other instrumentalists as appropriate will be required. You will be part of a collaborative team to create a weekly worship service that integrates contemporary and traditional forms in an authentic and meaningful way.
Ideally you are a visionary who will bring a high level of enthusiasm to the position, providing musical direction that supports and enhances the liturgical theme. You will rehearse and direct the choir, and work to develop a music program. We believe that
music is an integral part of worship, not a performance and strive to share our musical gifts in participatory way.
If you are called to celebrate the Spirit through your music, are willing to be part of an evolving ministerial team and on the ground floor of exciting growth in a warm community of faith then this position might be for you.
Position information:
Job Title: Music Director
Time Type: Part Time (average of 6 hours per week)
Job Category: Music Minister and Worship Pastor
Salary: Variable based on experience
Organization: St. David’s United Church
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Tudor Weeks
Address: c/o St. David’s United Church
1525 Taylor Way
West Vancouver, BC V75 1N5
CANADA
Contact Email: tudorweeks@gmail.com
Organization website: http://www.stdavidsunited.com/
Phone: 604-922-3961