Reverend Meg Roberts,
Contract Minister
Rev. Meg Roberts has served the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship for seven years as a quarter-time contract minister. Meg also does a part-time community ministry using interactive theatre techniques: these workshops help individuals and communities explore underlying causes of social and organizational issues, then try out practical solutions. Ministry is her second career, she worked as a professional actor and stage manager in Saskatoon (where she grew up). Having grown up in the United Church, Meg found her Unitarian spiritual home in Vancouver in 1992. There she was a lay leader and lay chaplain, then went on to train for Unitarian Universalist ministry. Since 2002, she has served as a contract minister with congregations in Edmonton, Montreal, West Vancouver, and Nanaimo, as well as a 6-year settled ministry in Calgary. After five years, she is just completing her time as chair of the Canadian Unitarian Council’s Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Resource Team.
Sue Sparlin,
Lay Chaplain
Sue Sparlin is a local actor and singer. She has officiated in rituals which included practices from various faith traditions, blending them into a meaningful ceremony for the participants. In planning for your wedding or memorials she offers both an extensive choice of words and encourages you to include your own. Call Sue at 778-319-7827 or use the form on the Contact page.
Ashley Cole,
Director of Religious Exploration
I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta but have spent the better part of the past decade traveling the globe, learning from different cultures and religions, and earning a degree in International Development Studies. I moved to Vancouver two years ago and currently work for a non profit in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Before I moved out west, I served as the Director of Religious Education (DRE) at the Unitarian Church of Calgary, which was my initial introduction to the Unitarian Universalist community. Since then I have grown leaps and bounds in my understanding and appreciation of the UU principles and practices. In my time as DRE I attended various regional conferences, teacher trainings, and Liberal Religious Education Assocation (LREDA) gatherings. I was also fortunate enough to coordinate the youth programs for the 2013 Winter Elliot Camp hosted in Seabeck, Washington as well as coordinate the children’s programs of the 2013 Canadian Unitarian Council AGM hosted in Calgary, Alberta.
Alex Dragan, Religious Education Support Teacher (REST) and Youth Group Leader
Alex, a 4th year Naturopathic Medical student is passionate about wellness, holistic healing and community building. Through various work, she has cultivated her commitment to learning how to foster and grow communities. One of the Naturopathic principles is “Docere” which means Doctor as teacher. She believes this principle can be applied to the coordination of Beacon’s youth group. Last year, she was involved with Beacon as the nursery support and has previously worked with youth in elementary schools as well as summer camps. Teaching the next generation our values and enriching their learning in topics they are interested in is her goal.