Meet Our Team
Come and experience our welcoming church family, and please introduce yourself to us!
Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Louise Dightam
The Rev’d Louise Dightam (“Die-tam”) joined St. Barnabas as our priest-in-charge on September 1, 2024. Rev. Louise first felt the call to ordained ministry when she was a teenager and, after a circuitous life journey, was ordained priest on January 22, 2023. She was most recently in charge of Prince of Peace Anglican Church, Wasaga Beach, where she led significant congregational growth as well as rebooting their choir and children’s ministry. She was also a member of the South Georgian Bay Regional Ministry clergy team supporting St. Luke’s, Creemore and All Saints, Collingwood. Louise has served in lay ministry in six diverse congregations in the GTA: St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside; Church of the Transfiguration; St. Anne’s; All Saints, Sherbourne; St. Peter’s, Erindale; and St. Augustine’s of Canterbury, as well as being interim chair/member of the board at All Saints’ drop-in for people who are unhoused or marginally housed in downtown Toronto. Prior to ordination, Louise enjoyed a thirty-year career in public relations in the Ontario Public Service, where she was known as an innovative senior manager, a mentor, a champion for inclusion and diversity, and an advocate for Indigenous reconciliation. Louise holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity College, a Bachelor of Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto, and a Certificate in Public Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She has been an Associate of the Sisters of St. John the Divine since 2013.
Louise has two adult children: one pursuing a Masters Degree at the University of Toronto, and one completing electrical engineering at Carleton in Ottawa. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the neighbourhood, writing, photography and the outdoors. Her ministry is anchored in Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Rev. Louise is passionate about encouraging parishioners and guests at St. Barnabas to encounter and share Christ’s love through worship, fellowship and service.
Louise has two adult children: one pursuing a Masters Degree at the University of Toronto, and one completing electrical engineering at Carleton in Ottawa. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the neighbourhood, writing, photography and the outdoors. Her ministry is anchored in Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Rev. Louise is passionate about encouraging parishioners and guests at St. Barnabas to encounter and share Christ’s love through worship, fellowship and service.
Deacon
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Deacon
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Gary Davenport ODTIncumbents Warden
I am a long-time member of St Barnabas who has served in a variety of roles over the years, including as Warden, Advisory Board Chair, Day Care Board of Director, Interim Treasurer, Sides Team Captain, Property Committee member, etc. Currently I am the Incumbent’s Warden and a member of the Leadership Team. My professional career included senior executive roles in the retail and the telecom sectors. I have also has served as a Board of Director for a number of different organizations and still provide advisory level consulting services.
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Teresa JohnsonPeoples Warden
Hello I am the People’s Warden at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. I am a long time member of this community of faith. I sing in the choir, am a member of the Chancel Guild, I read lessons and am a part of the intercessory prayer team. I look forward to seeing where God will lead and guide me and this faith community in the coming years.
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Helen TaylorDeputy Incumbents Warden
I have been attending St. Barnabas since 1956. I was 7 years old when our Family moved from Montreal. I grew up on Carlaw Ave, north of the Danforth and attended nearby schools. I have many interests as a member of the Social Committee , the Bake Table at the Christmas Market, and Sunday Coffee Hour. I am presently a Deputy Warden and member of the Leadership Team. I have a memory of the 100th Anniversary -- A Great Celebration at the Corner of Hampton & Danforth. I was pleased to be able to be part of the Team who arranged the Celebration of the 165th Anniversary in 2023. Helen Taylor
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Janet BookerDeputy Peoples Warden
I grew up an Anglican in Oshawa Ontario and after getting engaged to Jan booker I started attending St Barnabas with him in 1977 while I was still at university working toward my degree in Nursing Science. For a time I enjoyed a honeymoon period at St Barnabas helping with social events and going to bible studies but soon I became more deeply involved. I joined the Social Committee and assisted in the Bazaar. Rev Goring asked me to join the Daycare Board after Children’s Circle was formed and I held various positions as a church representative on their Board for 25 years. I joined Logos and taught their courses as a representative of St Barnabas while it was active and
I loved its movement. I did a stint as church Sunday school supervisor but found I was not a teacher at heart. I also did 2 terms as Synod representative and am doing a third one at present. I was on the selection committee for 2 different priests and chaired the committee for one. Today I chair the Advisory Board meetings held monthly to keep those interested, up to date on the workings of the church. I am a Sidesperson helping on Sundays with greeting and counting. And I am a Communion Administrant. For several years I have co-chaired the annual Christmas Market held the first Saturday of November. And at present, I am your newest Deputy Warden. I feel honoured and privileged to have served St Barnabas and Blessed to have been part of the Family of St Barnabas for all of these 46 years. |
Karen HunterTreasurer
It’s my honour to serve St. Barnabas Church as the volunteer Treasurer. I was appointed by the Wardens at our 2023 Vestry meeting, and since then, my learning curve has been a lovely, steep adventure – ha! My past volunteer experiences at St. Barnabas, Chester include Warden, Intercessor, Lay Reader, Communion Minister and Parish Selection Committee Chair. For a period, I also volunteered with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto as a Parish Selection Committee coach. I was born and raised in the west end of Toronto. For the past 28 years, I’ve called South Riverdale my home. For many years, I worked for a national charity, as their accountant (CPA, CMA). My goals, as Treasurer of St. Barnabas, are to (a) provide timely information and recommendations to the Corporation [i.e. the two Wardens and the Incumbent], (b) present financial information as clearly as possible, and (c) to encourage engagement with our wider community.
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Dr. Konrad HarleyOrganist & Choir Director email » 
Konrad has been the organist and choir director at St. Barnabas since 2015. He studied at the University of Toronto, receiving a B.Mus. degree in Organ Performance in 2008 and a Ph.D. in Music Theory in 2014. Konrad is also active as a composer and arranger of music for choirs, organ, piano, vocal soloists, and chamber ensembles. Some of his recent works can be found at:
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Marilyn PepperParish Nurse email »
I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a Parish Nurse at St. Barnabas. I have also worked as a Parish Nurse at the Church of the Incarnation, and supported parishioners on their journey to health and wellness. My professional nursing practice includes Occupational Health and Case Management in a variety of diverse organizations. I look forward to being of service to the community of St. Barnabas.
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Mx. Jordan Sandrock (they/them)Spirit Squad Leader & Community Minister
Jordan is so excited to work as the children's and community minister at St. Barnabas! They moved to Toronto from the diocese of Huron to do their PhD in theology at St. Michael's/Regis (Toronto School of Theology). They have worked with children and youth in a variety of Anglican and Ecumenical contexts at the parish, diocesan, and national levels. Helping form young people into the Christian faith is one of their joys. Jordan's approach to children's ministry is to preach with games instead of words - they hope to help the community of St. Barnabas to learn, grow, and have lots of fun!
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Hello Parishioners of St. Barnabas Church on the Danforth. My name is Michael Lohan and I am the new Property Manager for St. Barnabas. I come to you after a 35 year career with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario Head Office where I worked in Inventory Management. After retiring I spent my 1st year off completing projects around my house and visiting relatives abroad. I am also a husband to my beautiful wife Rose and I am the father of 2 high school age teenagers. I am the family Uber driver to my son and Daughter!
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I was born and raised in South Africa and moved to Canada with my child in 2017. I have 20 years of work experience in South Africa in a variety of industries and disciplines. I love numbers and excel spreadsheets - they are my happy place :-) I value mental and physical health and am blessed to work at St. Barnabas where everyone is incredibly kind and supportive. I often say that coming into the office is like coming home, to a safe and welcoming space!
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