Staff

The Reverend Evan Swance-Smith (She/He/They), Minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care 

Evan graduated from Emmanuel College within the Toronto School of Theology at The University of Toronto in 2013 with a Master of Divinity. Prior to this they completed an undergraduate degree in 2009 from The University of Toronto specialising in Women and Gender Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies. 

Passionate about serving communities living on the margins, Evan uses their own experiences of being a frontline harm reduction worker as well as a member of the 2SLGBTIQ community to relate the gospel message to everyday life. 

Evan joined the staff team at Westdale United in September 2022.

Evan can be reached by email at rev.swancesmith@outlook.com or by text/phone at (289) 207-3247

Shirley has been our Music Director at Westdale since January, 2010, following several years as a member of the Chancel Choir. She is a native of Newfoundland and a graduate of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Shirley taught Music and Grade Three in schools in Newfoundland and Hamilton before retiring in 2007. She has been a church organist at various churches in Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Shirley has lived in Hamilton with her husband Peter.

Hi. My name is Carol Pickup. I have recently retired from teaching, and miss working with children. I co-ordinate the Westdale United Church School, and this gives me an opportunity to continue to do the work that I love. We have a team of caring adults here at Westdale who are ready, willing, and able to work with the children in our midst. We welcome all children, and appreciate the opportunity to share Bible Stories and faith with them. We want them to know that they are precious in God’s sight, and that his spirit is always with them.

Carolyn and her family have been members of the Westdale United faith community for several years. Carolyn  provides administration and communication duties in the office, and oversees rentals. Carolyn’s passion for social justice has taken her to several countries in Latin America, where she has participated in human rights work. She is a welcoming presence, both on the phone and in person.

Joel has been proud to call Hamilton home for the past 12 years. He has been looking after our church for more than a year, keeping us safe and looking after our facility. Joel finds this a great place to work. He says the people, from the minister to all the staff, renters and congregation members, are ‘exceptionally wonderful’.