MINISTRY TEAM | stmattsunited

Our Ministry & Staff Team

Rev. Brigid Maya - Minister

Rev. Brigid Maya Douglas is our minister serving us part-time while studying for her Ph.D. inTheology at the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto. She is with us for a 10-month appointment that started September 2023.

Having been in ministry for six years, Brigid Maya has a Master of Religious Education and aMaster of Divinity from Emmanuel College. She served St. James United Church in Etobicokeand before that, Queensville Holland Landing United Church

She is enthusiastic about creating and leading faith formation programs like; Bible study, book or film reflection groups, spiritual practices like prayer and meditation, and she enjoys engaging the youth at events, study groups, music and dance clubs, and retreats.

As a former elementary school teacher of 22 years, Brigid Maya has a keen interest in children
and education. Her specialties were literacy, math, drama and dance. She has 3 young children
and a youth who are attending St. Matthew's.

Phone: 416.653.5711 x222

Dr. Paul Jessen - Music Director

Dr. Paul Jessen hails from New Zealand where he did his first studies in music and obtained his B.Mus. in organ and music history as well as his Licentiate in piano. In NZ and Australia he gave concerts, played in various churches, taught numerous students in choirs and on piano and organ, and was a music examiner. In 1987 he left to pursue advanced organ studies in Germany, followed by a M.Mus. at McGill (1989 to 1991), and D.Mus. at Université de Montréal (1991 to 1996) specializing in Baroque performance practice.

In November 1999 Paul took up the musical leadership of St Matthew's UC, strengthening the choir and enlarging the musical repertoire to encompass music from 1500 to the present day. In the past Paul has organized many concerts in the excellent acoustics of St Matthew's and had the choir participate in concerts both at St Matthew's and the neighbouring Roman Catholic parish of St Clare, where Paul also directs the music.

Email: info@paulemlynjessen.ca

Phone: 416-419-6904

Betsy Anderson

Pastoral Care Minister

Betsy Anderson is a longtime neighbour of St. Matthew's and has served the congregation in a variety of capacities over the last fifteen years. She joined the staff team as part-time Pastoral Care minister in February 2017. Betsy is a graduate of Emmanuel College and worked for 12 years as their part-time Coordinator of Continuing Education until her retirement in 2017. Betsy is a layperson and active member of Trinity-St. Paul's United Church.

Phone: 416.653.5711 x 224

Beverley Eadie
Office Administrator

Beverley has been a neighbour to St. Matt's for the past 17 years. She has a BA and MA from Acacia University and U of T, respectively. Beverley has recently returned to the workforce, after staying home to care for her two children, and has previously worked at Trinity St. Paul's.

Email: stmattsunited@gmail.com

Phone: 416.653.5711 x 221

Office hours as of Sept. 5 are 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Tuesday and Friday, 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday

and Thursday. Closed Monday.