A Highlands United Church Congregational Renewal Event
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WHAT IS FAITHFEST?
Are you ready for a spiritual pick me up?
Join us for an inspiring weekend to ready us for the season of Lent. FaithFest 2019 will rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit, with inspiring speakers, intriguing and engaging workshops, uplifting worship, plenty of food, and a mardis gras and dance! Rumoured to be the "best staycation ever!" this is one church retreat you don't want to miss. All ages welcome. |
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Story Tellers
REV. SIMON LESIEURRev. Simon LeSieur grew up in Quebec City, completed his undergraduate degree at Redeemer University College in Ontario and then moved to Stellenbosch, South Africa, where he did his Master of Divinity. He is currently working on a Doctorate on the Holy Spirit through Fuller Seminary in California and works at West Vancouver United Church.
Simon, his wife Meghan, and their two children live in intentional community, sharing their home and adventures with good friends. It is with that passion and commitment to sharing meaningful life with others that Simon follows Jesus and strives to invite others into God's movements on the North Shore and beyond. REV. DR. CARMEN LANSDOWNEThe Rev Dr. Carmen Lansdowne is the Executive Direcotri of First United Church Mission in the Downtown East Side. An ordained minister in the United Church of Canada and a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, she brings a breadth of experience both in theology and community service to the pivotal role at the busy East Hastings Ministry.
Born in Alert Bay, BC, Carmen grew up in the United Church and was involved in the church in a variety of ways. She has served on the Executive of the General Council, as United Church representative to the Executive and Central Committees of the World Council of Churches, and currently sits on the Theology, Inter-church, Interfaith committee of the national church. She holds a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and speaks, writes and publishes across North America on issues of indigenous theology and indigenous-Christian relationships.
LISA SALAZARLisa Salazar is a spiritual care practitioner with Vancouver Coastal Health and currently works at George Pearson Centre. She transitioned relatively late in life at the age of 58 in 2008 and three years into her new journey, she found herself without work as a free-lance graphic designer. At about the same time, she discovered she had a voice, and though reluctant at first, soon found herself advocating for transgender rights and educating people about transgender issues. In 2013 she was accepted into the Master of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership (MAPPL) program at Vancouver School of Theology and graduated in 2015. As part of her degree, she conducted a ground-breaking study into transgender spirituality, details of which she will share in her workshop. Lisa has three adult sons and two granddaughters, loves Mexican food, though she herself is from Colombia. Not surprisingly, she drinks lots of coffee. REV. DR. SHARON SMITHOriginally from South Africa, Sharon recently became the priest at neighboring St. Catherine’s Anglican Church. She worked as an Occupational Therapist who has had and continues to have a career in counselling and OT serving others by promoting holistic wellness. A co-founder of Sanctuary Mental Health, Sharon comes with wealth of personal and professional experience and wisdom.
REV. DEBRA BOWMANDebra Bowman is a recently retired United Church minister whose call to ministry germinated here at Highlands. She returns to us after serving congregations in the lower mainland, serving as BC Conference President and Executive Secretary, and being nominated for Moderator of the United Church of Canada. She is a rugby mom and a newly minted grandmother. She has infectious humour and and a clear, incisive mind.
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Thank you to the many, many people who volunteered time and resources to make this weekend happen.
