Meet Our Staff Team:

The Reverend Evan Smith (He/She/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 specializing 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 front line 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.

Email: [email protected]

Text/Phone: 289-207-3247

The Reverend Deb Kigar (She/Her)

Voluntary Associate Minister

Rev. Deb graduated from and was Commissioned by the Centre of Christian Studies.

Kathy Koerner (She/Her)

Interim Office Administrator

Kathy grew up in Toronto and graduated from Trinity College, UofT. Her career began in Capital Markets at CIBC Wood Gundy. She was on the design team, and lead the launch, of Canada’s first online bond trading system. In 1997, Kathy sailed to St. Maarten (in the Caribbean) and she lived there for 17 years where she co-owned and operated a marine construction company. Kathy also worked as the Editor of the annual marine equipment catalogue for Budget Marine; one of the Caribbean’s largest chandleries. Eventually Kathy moved back to Toronto where she got a temporary job as the Administrative Assistant at St. Clement’s Anglican Church. That job led to the role of Director of Parish Operations at St. Clement’s. Kathy is a licensed real estate agent and joined the Westdale staff team as our interim office administrator in January 2024.

Christopher Bee (He/Him)

Ministry of Music Director

Specializing in Musical Theatre, and Choral Music, Christopher Bee has been an arranger, performer and instructor of vocal and choral music for over 10 years. Equally at home singing, Opera, Musical Theater as well as Pop, Rock, Jazz and Country, Mr. Bee graduated in December of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Grand Valley State University (Michigan) and has delighted audiences in many leading roles in various opera and musical theatre companies in both the US & Canada, including shows such as Into the Woods (The Baker 2009) Hair (George Berger 2007) And Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas 2003 & Jesus 2005). He has also performed with and arranged music for GVSU Varsity Men, Kalamazoo Singers, and Hamilton’s own, Canadian Orpheus Male Choir.

Joel Watson (He/Him)

Caretaker

Joel has been proud to call Hamilton home for over a decade and is essential to the day-today operations of the church and he works tirelessly to ensures that our facilities are clean and well-maintained.

Carol Pickup (She/Her)

Church School Coordinator

Carol retired from teaching but is still passionate about working with children. She co-ordinates the Westdale United Church School, which gives her an opportunity to continue to do the work that I love. She is proud that Westdale has a team of caring adults who are ready, willing, and able to work with the children in our midst. She makes sure that all children feel welcome and appreciates the opportunity to share Bible Stories and faith with them. Carol’s goal is to make sure that the children know that they are precious in God’s sight, and that God’s Spirit is always with them. Carol’s influence on the children of our congregation can be seen through the youth and young adults who attend our church.

Staff