Leadership of the PCE

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Formal leadership of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism is shared between the Local Church Leaders and a working Board of Directors. In addition, the staff of the Centre show exemplary dedication to the mission of the Centre. Numerous volunteers assist the Board and staff to provide a wide range of programs and publications.

The Local Church Leaders

The Local Church Leaders are a group of denominational representatives from local judicatories (dioceses, presbyteries, synods) and ministerials. Begun in Saskatoon by Fr. Bernard de Margerie in 1984, and in Regina by Sr. Anne Keffer in 2000, the Local Church Leaders groups provide a forum for the leaders of the various denominations to know one another on a casual and informal basis, to study and to pray together. Their coming together is a potent witness to the members of their denominations that being "one in Christ" is important to their churches.

The Saskatoon group is largely responsible, with Fr. Bernard, for the formation of the Saskatoon Centre for Ecumenism (now known as the Prairie Centre). The seven leaders of the PCE's supporting churches provide a further level of oversight and direction, and are regularly consulted on major issues and decisions. They gather annually with the members of the Board and staff.

Church Leaders of every denomination are invited to be part of this group (either in Saskatoon or Regina), whether they are bishops or appointed representatives of their denomination. The churches' varying polity may make securing representatives complex at times, but these groups find deep meaning in their gatherings. Chairpeople of the various councils of churches, ministerial associations and other ecumenical groups gather at the same table to meet and talk and pray. They meet regularly, 3 to 6 times per year. It may be the only place where such people can meet those from Evangelical and "Main Line Churches" at the same table. Honest discussion and earnest prayer are the hallmarks.

The Board of Directors

Past & present staff of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism

Past and present staff of the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism: Nicholas Jesson, director 1994 to 1999; Rita Gillies, associate director 1985 to 1998; Carol Penner, office manager 1991 to present; Rev. Dr. Jan Bigland-Pritchard, director 2005 to present; Sr. Anne Keffer, associate director 1998 to 1999, director 1999 to 2004; Fr. Bernard de Margerie, founding director 1984 to 1994. (Photo: B. Karstad, 2004)

The Centre's Board of Directors numbers twelve, two representatives from each of the six sponsoring churches, usually one lay person and one ordained. In conjunction with the staff, this working board is committed to its ministry of oversight and actively participates in creative and practical programming, education, and building the resources of the Centre.

Current Board members are:

Rev. Sandra Beardsall
United Church of Canada, River Bend Presbytery

Pat Clarke
Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Rev. Amanda Currie
Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan

Rev. Hugh Farmer
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Saskatchewan Synod

Cindy Hoppe, chairperson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Saskatchewan Synod

Gerri Madill
Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan

Ven. Larry Mitchell
Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon

Michael Paynter
Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

Vern Ratzlaff
Mennonite Church Saskatchewan

Kurt Sawatzky
Mennonite Church Saskatchewan

Rev. John Sianchuk
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon

John Starosta
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon

Michael Williams
Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon

vacant
United Church of Canada, River Bend Presbytery

The Staff

Meet the two staff members who carry out the day-to-day ministry of the Centre:

Rev. Dr. Janet Bigland-Pritchard became the half-time director of the Centre effective January 1, 2005, email:
Carol Penner, office manager, email:
Carol has been with the Centre since 1991. She has worked with all four directors and is deeply committed to the ministry of ecumenism. She often provides a memory of the Centre's history, policies and former procedures, and is also on the forefront of future movement and present endeavours. She works as a colleague and a team member.

Volunteers

Meet two of the volunteers, without whom the Centre could not operate as effectively:

Nicholas Jesson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. cand.
A previous director (1994-1999), Nick is now the webeditor. Thus he is able to continue to give leadership in the area of dialogue, documents, and conferences around the world. He is also the ecumenical officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. He is studying towards a doctorate in ecumenical theology at the University of St. Michael's College in the Toronto School of Theology, and is teaching at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan.
Bernice Shih, library
Over many years, Bernice has coordinated the cataloguing of the Centre's library into our electronic catalog. It is hoped that eventually this catalogue can be placed online. In the meantime, Bernice's work has made it possible for the staff and visitors to access the collection efficiently.
Rev. Richard Spencer, treasurer

Too many to mention by name, volunteers help make the Centre operational: cataloguing the library, answering phones, doing mailings, sometimes even vacuuming. Thanks to willing hands and hearts!

If you are interested in volunteering with the Centre or the many ecumenical projects in Saskatchewan, please contact Carol Penner, our office manager at (306) 653-1633 or .