Meet Our Staff
“May you go with the love of God wrapped around you like a cloak: with the companionship and guidance of our teacher Jesus by your side and with the power and fire of the Holy Spirit to empower your journey…” – Rev. Lorraine Ashdown
Lorraine is a long-time Bowen Islander who brings an authentic love of the United Church and a desire to create community and a sense of belonging. She is also a musician and a photographer. She has a love for Mary Oliver poems and refers to herself as a “Prairie Girl” even though she left her hometown of Winnipeg 22 years ago. She graduated from the Vancouver School of Theology with a Master of Fine Art in Public and Pastoral Leadership and a diploma in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies. Bowen Island is where her heart calls home. “Music is how we laugh, cry, love, and be with God together.”
Lynn Williams has been the Minister of Music at Bowen Island United Church for 16 years. She has been a professional soprano soloist in Western Canada and Europe. Lynn owns and operates the Penrhyn Academy of Singing, teaching all age groups. Along with this, Lynn directs the Ladies Madrigal Singers. On our Property Committee, Lynn’s focus is the church building.
Helen became a member of BIUC when she was confirmed at the age of 12. Helen is our Clerk of Session and is also Co-Chair of our Ministry and Personnel Committee. On our Property Committee, Helen’s focus is Collins Hall and she looks after Hall bookings.
To rent/book Collins Hall for concerts, meetings, birthday parties, and more, please contact Helen at hkwallwork@hotmail.com or (778) 245-9951.
Meet Our Board
Lynn Williams has been the Minister of Music at Bowen Island United Church for 16 years. She has been a professional soprano soloist in Western Canada and Europe. Lynn owns and operates the Penrhyn Academy of Singing, teaching all age groups. Along with this, Lynn directs the Ladies Madrigal Singers. On our Property Committee, Lynn’s focus is the church building.
Mary Ann has been a Bowen Islander for over 25 years. She and her husband have enjoyed raising their three boys here on Bowen. Her professional background is as an elementary school educator along with a few years in the banking industry. Mary Ann has served as Board Secretary, Co-Chair, and is currently Co-Treasurer.
Sheila has been coming to Bowen since she was 3 months old and she has lived here for 17 years. Sheila has served many roles at the church including Treasurer and Board Chair, and she has volunteered for countless numbers of our projects.
Helen became a member of BIUC when she was confirmed at the age of 12. Helen is our Clerk of Session and is also Co-Chair of our Ministry and Personnel Committee. On our Property Committee, Helen’s focus is Collins Hall and she looks after Hall bookings.
To rent/book Collins Hall for concerts, meetings, birthday parties, and more, please contact Helen at hkwallwork@hotmail.com or (778) 245-9951.
Cynthia feels immensely grateful that she and her husband Don and baby daughter Sara made the move from Winnipeg to Bowen Island in 1980. She treasures meeting familiar faces while walking through the meadow and listening to the breathing of humpbacks while sitting on her back deck. As a former teacher and children’s science writer, Cynthia now loves to share her sense of wonder about nature with her five young grandsons.
Rosie has been a member of the United Church of Canada on Bowen Island since 1987. She has lived on this fair isle of Bowen Island since 1977. Rosie is passionate about family (including dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, and sheep), friends and farming, gardening and flowers, Celtic Christianity, and a crowded table at meal times.
Heather enjoys volunteering at the Bowen Island United Church where supporting and enriching the greater Bowen community are her goals. On our Property Committee, Heather’s focus is our outdoor space.
Sue has lived on Bowen for almost 50 years where she was a production potter for most of that time. She raised her two children Damian and Siobhan here. Sue has worked for the Food Bank most of that time and has been on the United Church Board for many years. She finds her spiritual centre there and continues her service work there as much as she can.
There are many things to cherish about this rock we walk and live on. “The Little Red Church” is one of them. I am honoured and grateful that I can be a part of the team that supports and guides this sanctuary of peace, calm, and spiritual nourishment in these increasingly hectic times.
Caroline Parker has lived on Bowen Island since 2009 with her husband, John, and their daughters Kate and Lizzie. Both Kate and Lizzie began attending the Little Red Church as newborns and were baptized there. Caroline’s professional background is in law and education. She has volunteered for several children’s organizations on the island. Between college and law school, she spent a year as a VISTA volunteer for the Food Bank for Monterey County in Salinas, California. Caroline now serves as the Food Bank liaison for the Board.