Leadership Team

Caryn Douglas is a Diaconal Minister (commissioned to Education, Service and Pastoral Care) with a broad experience in the church.  Educational ministries include first teaching, then Principal at the Centre for Christian Studies, facilitating residential education at Calling Lakes (Prairie Christian Training Centre) and coordinating the Designated Lay Ministry program.  She served on the Conference staff (communication and support to Northland Presbytery) and has had contract work with several church agencies.  Her social justice ministry ranges from the Swan Lake First Nation and Carman Presbytery to inner city outreach at St. Matthews Maryland, West Broadway and Northend Stella Community Ministries. Her congregational leadership has been in Ontario, and in Winnipeg with Churchill Park and Knox.  She developed skills for helping church bodies through times of transition and that characterizes much of her work in the last decade.

Caryn has provided significant leadership to the wider church, including General Council Executive, and served on many other standing committees and task groups at the National and Conference (now Region) level.

Born and raised in Mimico, Ontario (now completely subsumed into Toronto) her mother decided that  the United Church across the street was convenient, so off they went.  One of her earliest memories is sitting in a circle in the Church nursery, hearing the stories from the “New Curriculum”.  The roots of her theology are in that 1960s revolutionary curriculum: inclusion, liberation, openness to question, social justice, and the ministry of all the baptized.

Caryn is a lover of learning.  In formal education she has earned a BA, Master of Religious Education, a Doctor of Ministry, and a diploma in Diaconal Ministry from the Centre for Christian Studies, which she credits as the most profound experience in her learning journey.  Her thesis centred on the disjoining of United Church deaconesses when they married, a project she followed up with an extended post graduate study. (uccdeaconesshistory.ca) She has taught herself many things: to build websites, raise money, administrate just about anything and she is a pretty good cook.  She has a creative impulse.  She loves storytelling, images, drama and movement.

She and her partner Peter live in sunny St. James.  Their son Tobin fledged successfully and lives in Winnipeg too.

You can reach Caryn at minister@ucim.org

Bonnie Gauthier grew up in St. Vital and has always called UCiM home. As Christian Education Coordinator, she brings passion and enthusiasm to everything she does. She loves working with children and her goal is to keep church fun while helping kids learn about God’s love. Bonnie is married with two terrific teenagers, and also works part-time as an Educational Assistant for the Louis Riel School Division. In her spare time, Bonnie enjoys writing short stories, reading and taking her fur baby, Geddy, for walks.

You can reach Bonnie at ce@ucim.org

Candace joined our UCiM staff team in September 2018 as the Talking Teens Coordinator. She officially joined our UCiM family as a member this past March. This past summer, Candace assisted with coordinating online worship services and planning an 8-week Children’s Summer Virtual Program including creating videos of stories and songs that children can watch at home as well as weekly craft and activity kits.

Candace is an applicant for ministry in the United Church of Canada and is also involved in the wider work of the UCC. Candace is presently enrolled in courses at the Atlantic School of Theology in order to meet the requirements for UCC testamur and to proceed on the candidacy pathway. Candace has previously completed a Master of Divinity and is presently in her practicum for a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

She was previously employed as the Communications and Development Assistant at West Broadway Community Ministry for three years and has also worked at St. Matthews Maryland Community Ministry and Prairie Spirit United Church.

Candace is excited to share her gifts with us at UCiM.

You can reach Candace at ucim.youth@gmail.com

Stacey Milne-Ciecko is our Communications Co-Ordinator. Stacey has lived in River Park South for may years and has been an active member at UCiM since 2009. Stacey manages our social media accounts, weekly Quick Notes and loves getting the word out about all the amazing things UCiM has to offer. Stacey also works as an Educational Assistant in the Louis Riel School Division. She is married to Mike and together they have 3 boys who keep them very busy. Her favourite hobby is reading and she always has 2 or 3 books on the go.

You can reach Stacey at web@ucim.org

Sandy Katyrynuik is our Office Administrator. Prior to coming to UCiM, Sandy was the Church Administrator at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church for 6 years. Sandy moved to St. Vital 25 years ago and loves the community with all the amenities. She is married with 2 adult children. She enjoys gardening in the summer and spends her winters evenings knitting and crocheting.

You can reach Sandy at ucm@ucim.org

Brendan McKeen is our Music Director. Brendan was born in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan and raised in Winnipeg. He has conducted orchestras all over North America, including Manitoba’s Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Brendan completed his Masters of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting at Northwestern University in 2015. Brendan is passionate about Opera and leading others, which led to him founding the Manitoba Underground Opera in September 2008. Brendan also serves on the Manitobans for the Arts Advocacy Committee. This organization is devoted to advancing arts, culture, heritage, and creativity in Manitoba.

You can reach Brendan at brendan@ucim.org

Megan Dufrat is our talented accompanist. Megan has a Bachelor of Music, in the Piano Performance Program, she studied under the tutelage of Dr. David Moroz.  Megan has won numerous awards and scholarships and is the accompanist with a number of choirs in Winnipeg. Megan brings many talents to the music program at our church.

You can reach Megan at megan@ucim.org