Contact Info
North Vancouver, BC
Canada V7K 2H4
Service Times
Our Staff
Staff
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Blair Odney
Minister
View BioBlair Odney
Minister
Blair came to serve with the people of Lynn Valley Church in October 2009 and is responsible for leading the congregation into a new relationship with the community. Blair was called into paid accountable ministry as a second career, having spent 15 years in marketing and fundraising – primarily in the professional performing arts. For 5 years, Blair was a member of the program/management team at The United Church’s lay training facility in the Okanagan, Naramata Centre, where among other achievements, was instrumental in the development of the Center’s Healing Pathway. Blair brings to ministry a passion for empowering people in their own belovedness, whether they are 3 or 93. A gifted worship leader, composer, choral conductor, preacher and pastor, Blair invites an ongoing dialogue about the changing nature of faith, faith development, the Christian story and our relationship to the creation.
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Christina Kinch
Minister for Children Youth & Families
View BioChristina Kinch
Minister for Children Youth & Families
Christina Kinch joins Blair Odney (Minister) and Mary Yan (Minister of Music) as our new Minister for Children, Youth & Families!
Christina's range of expertise covers family support work and crisis counseling, youth leadership and faith programming, yoga instruction and healing hands training, rock climbing and international travel. This skill set wonderfully complements LVUC's core values of relevant spirituality, active hospitality and vital community relationships. Christina is passionate about supporting the healing and wellness of people of all ages in both the Lynn Valley as well as the international community. If you are interested in deepening your spirituality, connecting to your body and cultivating relaxation, email christina.lvuc@gmail.com for more information about 'pay what you can' yoga classes and Healing Hands sessions for people of all ages.
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Mary Yan
Minister of Music
View BioMary Yan
Minister of Music
Mary’s musical life started at a young age in a church choir in Hong Kong. She sang her way through university and got her degrees in Music and Arts Administration in the United States.
Mary’s singing experience in the United States and in Hong Kong included ensembles that performed in a wide range of styles, from early music to contemporary, and from 8-voice, self-directed ensembles to 100-voice choruses. Later Mary moved into conducting and took conducting training courses and practicums in Hong Kong. Her eight years of working with the HK Philharmonic Orchestra enabled her to observe world-class symphonic and choral conductors in rehearsal.
Soon after immigrating to Canada in 1995, Mary took up the musical directorship of Lynn Valley United Church, North Vancouver. Mary believes in the musical, spiritual, therapeutic, and inter-relational benefits that singing brings to individuals. With the support of the congregation, she started a community choir, byoVoice, in the fall of 2012.
Mary is currently a member of Jubilate! Chamber Choir. She is also a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Registered Play Therapist. It is her hope that, with her varied experiences and background, she could contribute to our congregation's journey in living out our core values through music.
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Michael Moddle
Community Program Facilitator
View BioMichael Moddle
Community Program Facilitator
Michael is a 23 year old resident of Burnaby. Has been involved in Youth groups in his time growing up and quickly moved into being involved in leading them. He has a strong interest in men's work and conversations around the importance of masculine health. He is always looking for ways to grow, professionally and personally, in his life and has made commitments like Naramata Centre's Winter Session in 2010, as well as starting to attend a program called Ethos through the organization The Executive Success Program. He is a huge supporter of places like Naramata Centre which has had a huge impact on his life and growth. Musically he plays guitar and sings, Michael was a part of choirs all through his high school years and also did some solo singing in festivals. Michael is refreshed and renewed after a summer working at Naramata centre and is extremely excited about being back at Lynn Valley to be a part of a lot of exciting new programs!
"Pray by living." -
Matt Grinke
Musician
View BioMatt Grinke
Musician
Matt has been playing piano since he was 6 years old. Born and raised in North Vancouver, he studied classical piano for 11 years, and is currently enrolled in Capilano University's jazz program. Matt's passion has always been in musical theatre. In this genre, he's been an actor, an orchestra musician, a crew member, and a musical director, to name a few. On a regular basis, he has even been known to improvise a few musicals with the fantastic cast of Ad-Libretto! Matt is thrilled that his life journey has brought him to LVUC, and he is very excited to turn the first page of the next chapter if his life.Â
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Kelly Jenner
Administrator
View BioKelly Jenner
Administrator
Quick to smile and always willing to put on a pot of coffee (or tea) to share with visitors, Kelly is the communication hub for the congregation. With faithful office companion, Bella, at her side, Kelly is ready to meet and greet all, answer questions if she can, and will go to great lengths to ensure all is ready for whatever community gathering takes place. Kelly is also fully immersed in church life as a member of the choir, She Shares and life beyond LVUC as wife, mom, daughter and auntie.
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Lynn Valley Church
