Reverend Emily Gordon
Minister
Emily Gordon completed a Honours BA (Mount Allison University), and a MA (Simon Fraser University) in English, before returning to her childhood home of Toronto. She received an MDiv from Emmanuel College, and followed this with a Clinical Pastoral Education unit at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Ministry experience prior to her ordination includes working as Children, Families, and Outreach Ministry Coordinator at Bloor Street United Church, a placement with Boarding Homes Ministry (an ecumenical inner city ministry based on creating caring community between members of congregations and residents of boarding homes), supply preaching at numerous congregations, and an internship at Kincardine United Church. Emily had an appointment with Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, before joining the team at Leaside United.
Emily loves creativity in worship, and strives to create spaces where all are welcomed and valued. How do we live out the big questions in our everyday actions? You will notice that she listens closely, asks questions, and continues to challenge the faith of herself and others. You will also notice that she loves to read, strives to live lightly on the earth, and enjoys tea and dark chocolate.
Matthew Boutda
Director of Music
Matthew Boutda is a conductor, organist, and singer from Toronto, Canada. He holds a holds a Masters of Sacred Music from the University of Toronto, where his mentors included Dr. Patricia Wright (organ), Dr. Lori-Ann Dolloff (choral conducting), and Dr. Swee Hong Lim (Program Director, Master of Sacred Music).
Matthew was twice a recipient of the Wayne C. Vance Scholarship for Sacred Music and the recipient of the Healey Willan Memorial Award, University of Toronto for his outstanding academic achievements.
With a passion and desire for choral music, Matthew is delighted to be a part of the rich music program at Leaside United Church, in Toronto. He is currently the Director of Music, where he plays the organ, conducts, and oversees the Leaside Chancel Choir, Junior Choir, and C-Flats Youth Jazz Band.
As a conductor, Matthew has been the Assistant Conductor of Pax Christi Chorale, a semi-professional and community choir in Toronto for the past three years.
His dedication towards sacred music and research had drew him to serve on the board of directors with the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Summer Institute of Church Music, and the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Recently, Matthew helped to form the Uniting Voices Collective. This is a group of musicians that are dedicated to sustaining community through shared song during this time of physical distancing. Uniting Voices Collective has provided and continues to provide interactive virtual sessions that inform and uplift choristers, directors and musicians.
Matthew continues to give professional development workshops with community and church ensembles.
Contact Matthew Boutda by email
Ann Fraser
Treasurer
Ann Fraser was a long time member of Presteign-Woodbine where she was baptized, confirmed and a choir member for over 15 years. Hired on June 11, 2018 as the Treasurer of Leaside United Church, Ann is responsible for all matters relating to finance and accounting including financial statements, budgets, cash management and CRA reporting and compliance.
Upon graduating from University of Toronto with a BA in Commerce and Economics, Ann enrolled in the CMA program at the Society of Management Accountants and became a CPA in 1991. She has worked in the insurance industry for most of her career as a finance head of various small companies and a consultant specializing in reinsurance run-off. Ann was the volunteer treasurer at Presteign-Woodbine from 2002 to 2017.
In her spare time Ann enjoys cycling, gardening, singing and is a drummer in the Oshawa Pipe band.
Jean Marie Suchora
Pastoral Care Minister
Jean Marie was born in Olean, a small town in Western New York along the Pennsylvania border. She was raised Roman Catholic and after High School became a Felician Franciscan nun. She remained active in the order for over 35 years during which time she ministered in roles as a primary grade teacher, director of religious education and associate director and spiritual director at a retreat Centre near Buffalo, NY. Upon moving to Canada she was a chaplain at both North York General Hospital and North York General Seniors Health Centre in Toronto. In all of these ministries, her skills in Pastoral Counseling have played a vital role.
Jean Marie received a BA from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY and a MA in Pastoral Counseling from Boston College, Boston, Mass.
She has been active in many professional organizations related to her ministries and continues to find meaning as a Pastoral Care Minister here at Leaside United Church. Ministry for her is one of “ministering “with”, where she shares her talents as well as grows from the “life stories’ shared by those with whom she serves.
Besides ministering here at LUC, Jean Marie is active in her own Church, St. Luke’s in Thornhill where she volunteers in the “Out of the Cold Program”, assists as Librarian for the parish and co-moderates a Bible Study Group held at the church.
She loves being a part of the community at LUC and has found that the goodness, compassion and a caring she has witnessed here is what ‘church’ is all about.
Alison Jane
Office Administrator
Alison Jane joined the Leaside United Church family as the Office Administrator in December, 2015. Alison has felt warmly welcomed by the congregation and staff and enjoys being a part of a vibrant and progressive congregation.
Alison is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto (piano). She also received an organ performance degree from the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music in London, and was Organ Scholar at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Fredericton, NB (1988-1992). Alison received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Victoria, and has written extensively on the interdisciplinary nature of music, fine art, and 18th and 19th century poetics and aesthetics. Alison retired as Art Therapist and Support Services Coordinator at Doane House Hospice, Newmarket, where she worked with bereaved children and teens, caregivers, and palliative patients. She is currently an Honourary Associate Organist at St. Peter & St. Simon Anglican Church and enjoys accompanying the choral music and liturgy of the Anglican tradition.
Alison’s hobbies and interests include acrylic painting, piano and organ accompaniment, photography, interior design, house sitting for her doggie friends (and felines), and writing and research.
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