Rev. Greg Darjes is once again offering his ministry to us here at Duncan United Church while we ponder our future and look to the development of a new ministry. Greg was our Interim minister from 2012- 2013 so it is wonderful to have him back. Email Greg at gjdar@yahoo.com
Our People
Rev. Greg Darjes, Minister
Connie Masson
Musical Director
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
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
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 – Irene Simkins
- Vice-Chair – Vacant
- Secretary – Marion Gordon
- AOTS Men’s Club – Shaun Pattenden
- UCW – United Church Women – Joan Muller
- Children and Youth – Sarah Prestwich
- Camp Pringle – Sarah Prestwich
- Faith Formation & “Celebrate” Worship – Vacant
- Stewardship – Jim Walker
- Finance and Building – Carie Saville
- Treasurer – Bonnie Louden
- Social Justice & Outreach – Carrie Rae
- Ministry and Personnel – Colleen Fuller
- Trustees – Susan Younie – Chair
- Governance – Marta Swain
- Members-at-Large – Bill Dennis /Mary Dougherty /Jeff Leggatt
Past Ministers
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