Ministry

Our Ministry Team

Annie Schulz - Music Director

My role as music director is to provide music leadership in the church which draws the congregation together in expressing and strengthening their faith.

We have a women's chorus which practices several times a month and sings in our worship services. My participation in the music ministry at Grace is a very rewarding and enriching experience.

I also enjoy my piano teaching in my home studio. Connecting with family and friends is important to me, as is relaxation which includes reading, walking and travelling.

David Brubacher - Lead Administrative Pastor

David is stepping out of retirement to serve as Supply Lead Administrative Pastor at Grace for one year. He began his first pastoral assignment in 1978. Over the years he has served 8 congregations in various pastoral roles. He also served as Executive Minister with MCEC for 6 years. Throughout his years in ministry David has been actively involved in serving on denominational boards and committees.

Whether in congregational or denominational leadership roles, David has always been energized in exploring new ministry opportunities and developing structures accordingly. David comes to this current role with a continued passion for congregational ministry and with a conviction that the church needs to explore new ways of being church to facilitate the growth of God’s kingdom. David and his wife Lynda continue to live in Vineland and have 3 married children and 7 grandchildren.

Ester Funk - Office Administrator

Ester has always been an active participant in church life: teaching Sunday school, children's singing, youth leadership, worship planning, song leading and organizing various church functions and events. In the past, Ester facilitated a bi-weekly mental health support group.

Ester thoroughly enjoys her role as an office administrator in support of pastors through daily office tasks and also through cultivating meaningful relationships with congregational members. She has 15 years experience in different office administration roles, 10 of which were church specific.

Ester lives with her husband Doug on their grape farm in Jordan where they raised their four children. She enjoys music, reading, baking, gardening and spending time with her 11 grandchildren.

Jan Carrie Steven - Pastoral Care Chaplain

Jan Steven loves to visit people who don't have a lot of visitors and who welcome a loving presence. She especially likes to visit people in senior and health facilities.

Jan is Commissioned Community Chaplain and a Registered Social Worker. She has worked for many years as a counsellor and pastoral care visitor (voluntary.) Jan has also completed training as a Stephen-Minister and Hospice Volunteer.

Jan and her husband Laurence enjoy cycling and hiking and hanging out with their three grandchildren, and their two elderly cats.

In Loving Memory of Lyn Beckett ...

Lyn was the Office Administrator and a Community Chaplain at Grace Mennonite Church for many years. She was a kind, charitable person known for having meaningful conversations with anyone she came into contact with. As a teacher, active member of Grace Mennonite Church, long-time volunteer for the Help A Child Smile organization, and bereaved families support groups, her kindness and support will be remembered by many.

This picture has special meaning. Jan (also a Community Chaplain) and Lyn experienced significant health challenges at the same time. They joked, "This being a Community Chaplain isn't for the faint of heart!" Meet you in heaven, dear friend.

Who are the ministers of the church?

Who are the ministers of the church? Some people have a tendency to use the word minister to mean the clergy, the pastors. Biblically, however, this understanding does not even begin to exhaust the true nature of ministry.

The scriptures make it clear that all of God’s children are called into ministry and given special gifts and abilities for ministry. The clergy have a very important role in the ministry of the church, but they are not the only ministers. The church is a body of people in ministry together.
- Michael Roberts, D. Min