Staff and Leadership
Coordinating our ministries. . .
Pastor and Spiritual Mentor: The Rev. Elizabeth Huether, Rector *bio below
Parish Deacon: The Rev. Jane Rokeby
Honourary Assistant: The Rev. Canon Richard(Dick) Rokeby
Director of Music: Mr. Owen Bloomfield *bio below
Toddler, Children and Youth Ministries:
These ministries are coordinated by dedicated volunteers who are
generous with their gifts and their time!
• Administrative functions are shared among many volunteers, often working from home. Inquiries & information will reach the right person if you e-mail or phone the Office.
• Call or e-mail ahead of time. . . If the ‘OPEN’ sign is turned on—drop in!
The Reverend Elizabeth Huether, B.A. MDiv
Elizabeth was born on January 7, 1953, the youngest child and only daughter of Gilbert and Barbara Huether. Twin brothers, seven years her elder, completed the family. Elizabeth’s father was a priest in the Diocese of Niagara for 63 years. Her mother was a nurse and active volunteer in the communities where the family lived.
The family lived in Hamilton during Elizabeth’s childhood years where she learned to appreciate diversity and tolerance of other’s world views. During her high school years the family lived in Dunnville with summers being spent at Ontario Pioneer Camp learning outdoor living skills and developing leadership skills, and developing what would become a lifelong love of canoeing and the outdoors.
Following graduation from DDS in 1971, Elizabeth spent one year at the University of Guelph, improving her hockey skills, both in ice and field, as a member of the University hockey teams. She transferred to the University of Waterloo and received her Honours B.A. in Sociology & Recreation in 1977. During her time at Waterloo, she was active in the Waterloo Christian fellowship, a Pacifist Group, the University Field Hockey Team (captain for 3 years) and served as manager of the University Basketball team.
After university, Elizabeth moved to British Columbia and lived and worked in the lower mainland. She completed her "theological education" at the Vancouver School of Theology. This was an "enlightening and empowering time for me".
In January of 1995, she was ordained a deacon at St. John’s, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and was priested in Saskatoon by Bishop Tom Morgan. Her ministry continued at St. John’s as the Associate Priest responsible for Adult Christina Education & Outreach. During this time she also served as a Spiritual Care Facilitator for the Health District and as a Teacher of Sociology at Lakeland College.
In the year 2000, Elizabeth left British Columbia to pursue a new ministry as a parish priest in the Diocese of Umzimvubu, South Africa. She was the only female priest among mainly black (two white) South African male priests. She taught Practical Theology, Ethics & Spirituality and was a part of the Diocesan Development team which developed HIV/AIDS education curriculum. And she served in the only multi-race/cultural congregation in the Republic of South Africa for 3 years.
Upon returning to Canada in 2006, she took a six month hiatus from ministry to regroup and recover from "culture shock". She then began a new ministry in the Diocese of Niagara as the Rector of St. Thomas’, St. Catharines. Early in 2010, a new adventure presented itself and Elizabeth became the Pastor / Spiritual Mentor (Rector) of St. Matthias’, Guelph.
"I have developed, on my life’s journey, a passion for justice, a desire to live love, and an understanding that faith is about trusting in the Mystery of Life. My journey has brought me into Light, to a place of living my Truth as a lesbian woman. I share this journey with my chosen Life Partner, Joan, who is my true joy and delight. We were married on April 8, 2010 and celebrated with family and friends at a Blessing Service on July 18, 2010 at St. Matts . Our family includes 2 cats, Prana & Vinnie, who are adjusting to being in a blended family! Several interests I have include sport of all kinds, being in the outdoors, reading and cooking. I look forward to all life has to offer!"
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Owen Bloomfield has been involved with music at St. Matt's since 2001 and has been the Minister of Music since 2002. Owen received a MMus in Composition from the University of British Columbia and his BMus from Wilfrid Laurier. Besides playing and directing at St. Matthias he has a busy studio at the Guelph School of Music teaching piano, theory and composition. He is also a certified Music Together and runs classes in Cambridge. Owen is active as a composer for a array of different groups and soloists. His music has been performed accross Canada and in the United States including Hawai'i. He is a founding member of the collective tranSpectra which explores alternative tunings and the interdisciplinary group SlanT.
Music is an essential part of any service and St. Matthias places a very high value on this aspect of worship. While the general style of music can be described as contemporary, music from many different cultures and time periods are used. Our usual instrumentation is piano and guitar with hand drums and other percussion when required and available. Congregational singing is of paramount importance with strong leading by the choir.
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