Our People

Rev. Nancy Colton

Minister
E-mail Rev. Nancy Colton

Rev. Nancy brought her caring and uplifting ministry – and her sense of humour – to Duncan United in November 2023.

Nancy has been an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada for over 20 years. In solo and team ministry she has served congregations in four rural communities across the country.
Nancy served her church and her country as a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces living and working in Ottawa. Before she was a minister and a chaplain, Nancy was a Finance Clerk, Administration Clerk, and finally a Resource Management Support Clerk in the Naval Reserve and Regular Force working mostly at Air Force Wings.

A west coast girl born and raised in Vancouver, Nancy studied English at UBC. Transplanted to the east coast, Nancy studied for ministry at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was ordained to word, sacrament, and pastoral care by Maritime Conference.
Nancy has two adult children: a daughter living and working in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and a son living and working in Ottawa.

Very happy to be back on the coast, Nancy arrived in the Cowichan Valley from the Cariboo.

Nancy can be reached at rev.nancy@duncanunited.org.

Connie Masson

Musical Director
E-mail Connie Masson

Our Musical Director, Connie Masson, is a skilled musician, piano and voice instructor known throughout the Cowichan Valley.

She is a life-long United Church member, and grew up with 5 musical sisters in the Lower Mainland. After obtaining a Bachelor of Music from UBC in Voice Performance, she lived briefly in Tofino, and then arrived in the Cowichan Valley, where she raised 5 children. For the past 35 years she has been teaching Voice and Piano, conducting choirs, and performing as a soloist. She likes to include music from many traditions in her Music Ministry at Duncan United.

In her spare time she … wait, she has no spare time!

Linda Evans

Office Administrator
E-mail Linda Evans

Linda Evans, Office Administrator & and Outreach Coordinator, began attending Duncan United Church as a child. Linda has been in the office since 2002 and became the Outreach Coordinator in 2012. She believes if we all try to make a positive difference, in anyway that we can, the world will be a better, more “just” place for everyone and all of creation. In her spare time Linda enjoys hiking, geo caching, exploring the island beaches, spending time with her 3 children and 7 grandchildren, reading, and playing the piano. Linda can be contacted through the office 250-746-6043 or email admin@duncanunited.org. 

“All shall be well, all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well”

– St. Julian of Norwich

Sarah Prestwich

Children, Youth, and Families Coordinator
E-mail Sarah Prestwich

Sarah Prestwich, our Children, Youth, and Families Coordinator, is responsible for Duncan United’s Sunday School program and Friday night’s Youth Groups. Sarah comes to us from running youth and Sunday school programs at First Metropolitan Church in Victoria, and has also worked at Camp Pringle, Naramata Centre and Lumsden Beach United Church Camp in Saskatchewan. Sarah enjoys working with children and youth in many aspects as well as travelling, cooking, photography, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Lilibet, British history, and anything Jane Austen! Contact Sarah through the church office or email her at sarah@duncanunited.org.

 

Peter Gray

Caretaker

Peter joined our church staff in 2021 bringing his quiet presence into our building as he cleans and keeps our place looking great.

Unified Board Members

Unified Board

The Unified Board is responsible for the overall spiritual, financial and outreach functions of our church. The Board is comprised of a representative of each church committee, meeting regularly to receive information about the work of the committees and provide guidance and decisions as required. Meetings, on the last Wednesday of the month (January-June, September-November), are open to all.

  • Chair of Unified Board – David Vanderlinde
  • Past Chair of Unified Board – Irene Simkins
  • Vice-Chair – Shaun Pattenden
  • Secretary – Marion Gordon
  • Children and Youth – Sarah Prestwich
  • Camp Pringle – Sarah Prestwich
  • Faith Formation & “Celebrate” Worship – Vacant
  • Finance and Stewardship – Joan Muller
  • Property and Building – vacant
  • Treasurer – Vacant
  • Social Justice & Outreach – Jeff Leggat
  • Ministry and Personnel – Susan Younie
  • Affirm – Representative
  • Members-at-Large – Bill Dennis /Mary Dougherty/Melanie Weaver

Past Ministers

Rev. Greg Darjes 2022-2023
D.M. Keith Simmonds 2013-2022
Rev. Greg Darjes 2012-2013
Rev. Duncan Barwise 2003-2012
Rev. Tom Miles 2001-2002
Rev. Shelley Lavenne 1997-2002
Rev. Mark Bedford 1997-1998 2001
Rev. Jim Short 1992-2001
Rev. Bob Norris 1992-1997
Rev. Marv Fowler 1991-1992
Rev. Dale Perkins 1991-1992
Rev. Gary Goran 1987-1991
Rev. Mas Isasawa 1984-1991
Rev. G. W. Keenleyside 1974-1983
Rev. Jim Ware 1971-1987
Rev. P.K. Louie 1967-1971