THE CLERGY

The Venerable John Stephens
In  2001, St. Philip’s was looking for a "person of vision, energy and experience"  who would be especially interested in "reaching out to young families and youth."  They found this person in our present Rector. John is responsible for worship, the clergy team, the staff group and the overall life of the parish. He chairs the church committee and the trustee’s group and supports the work of all parish committees. John and his wife, Ruth, a teacher, have two lively children. 
Contact:  jstephens@aebc.com

The Reverend Doctor Marilyn Hames
Marilyn takes a very active role as Honorary Assistant on our clergy team. She frequently presides and preaches at Sunday worship, and participates in many aspects of parish life, with a special interest in spirituality.    An engineer by profession, in 2005 she retired as VP of a major mining company where she also served as a Worker Priest, so she could complete her doctoral studies in spirituality at VST and now volunteer more time in the parish.  Her husband Andrew is also a retired engineer and was one of our recent wardens.

 

 

 

 

ST. PHILIP’S STAFF

 

Michael Murray
Our Director of Music, conducts and accompanies the choir, playing both piano and organ. He also leads the parish band for the "inter-generational service. He plays for wedding and funerals as well as at many special occasions in the parish. Michael is well known in the city as a founding member of musica intima , an accompanist for the Junior Bach Junior Choir and a teacher of organ students in the UBC School of Music. 

 

Anne Richards
If you want to know anything about St. Philip’s, the person to ask is our Parish Manager. Anne works with the parish finances, creates attractive materials for all occasions, takes care of the groups who use our facilities and ensures that staff and volunteers (not to mention clergy) have everything they need to do all the things they need to do for the church. She attends Church committee and sits on the Communication committee. Anne worships at St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale and does beautiful craft work. She and her husband, Byron, have an adult son and daughter.
Contact:  stphilips@aebc.com

 

 

David Anderson
Our caretaker, David, ensures that our property is well cared for and always ready for use. He works closely with the Buildings and Property committee to keep our buildings in good order. David and his wife, Vania, also contribute a great deal to the life of this community as members of the parish.

 

 

PARISH ADMINISTRATION VOLUNTEERS AND ASSISTANT

 

The Warden Team
The Wardens, four this year, help the clergy to support and guide the work of the many parishioners who together "are" St. Philip's, Dunbar.   This involves coordinating the work of various committees and groups and assisting parish staff and volunteers in their work.   Wardens also give guidance and feedback to the clergy.  Further, Wardens often represent the parish at meetings with other parishes and act as Trustees of the parish, with signing authority.

Moira Bryans, People's Warden
Moira, a charted accountant working in professional education, is a long-time member of the parish.  Her twin daughters, Caitilin and Megan, now at university, "grew up" at St. Philip's, and her husband, Ken Hughes, sings in the St. Philip's choir.  Moira loves to travel, read, sing

 

Carol Simpson,  Rector's Warden
Carol began her faith journey at St. Philip’s in 1952 and after Sunday School, Confirmation and membership in the AYPA here she lived the United States for the next 29 years.   When she moved back to Vancouver she returned to St. Philip’s and, now retired, is looking forward to increased involvement in the church and spending time with her children and grandchildren..    Carol has a background in the legal and administrative fields.

 

Paul Harrison, Associate Warden

 

Paul is a long-time member of the community, having been in the legendary 1000-plus church school in the 1950's.  He works at UBC.   With his wife, Brenda, he has enjoyed seeing their two children (now grown and living overseas) take active roles in the parish and he looks forward to further growth in the children and youth ministry.   Streamlining the parish governance model and keeping the finances healthy in tough economic times are other areas of particular interest this year.

 

Michael McKenzie, Associate Warden

 

 

Betty Edwardson, Office Volunteer
Answering the phone, copying and folding bulletins, and welcoming visitors.  Betty does all these things and many more with cheerful efficiency. A long time member of the parish, she has been a daily volunteer in the office for 18 years.  The mother of twin sons, Betty now has four grandchildren and three great-grand children. An avid traveller and keen lawn bowler, she enjoys reading, knitting and crocheting in her spare time.