Minister
The Rev. Dr. Catherine MacLean leads worship at St. Paul’s most Sundays. She has been with us since 2003 and before that served churches in Canmore, Yellowknife, and northern New Brunswick. Catherine received her Doctor of Ministry in Preaching through McCormick Seminary in Chicago in May, 2009. She also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard, and a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie. Recently the United Church of Canada adopted A Song of Faith; Catherine was one of the authors of that new statement of faith. Catherine is an avid reader and a poet and deeply enjoys connecting the stories of our lives and our faith.
Minister
Dirk Jessen came to St. Paul's United Church in the summer of 2004. Prior to that, he and his wife Britt worked in team ministry for seven years on the Nanton-Cayley Pastoral Charge in southern Alberta. Dirk's Master of Divinity degree is from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. While there, he did ministry practicums in Kentville, Nova Scotia, as well as in Halle and Berlin, Germany. Born and raised in Tofield, Dirk also holds Bachelor degrees in Arts and Education from the University of Alberta and has been a teacher with the Edmonton School Board and the County of Strathcona. He has also worked in historical interpretation at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village historic site.
Youth Minister
Denise has been active in Diaconal ministry in congregations since 1981. She has focused her ministry in education. Over the years, she has worked with children, youth, and adults. Presently, she spends all of her time with youth and young adults at St. Paul's, supporting them in their spiritual journeys of faith. Denise is also the United Church Chaplain on the University of Alberta Campus (Faith Lift).
