For the past few months, the Ministry and Personnel Committee (M & P) has been searching for a Transitional Coordinating Minister to work with the congregation on the transition process and help prepare us for a new permanent Minister.
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Karen Millard has accepted the two-year appointment as Transitional Coordinating Minister, beginning July 1. (NOTE: Karen’s name is pronounced CAR-en).
Karen’s ministry experience includes 14 years at Squamish United Church, and three years at Smithers United Church before that. She was also a Youth Worker at North Lonsdale United for five years earlier in her career. During her time in Squamish, the congregation did a major capital campaign and building project (similar to LVUC). Squamish also had a growing Youth and Family Program until Covid hit.
Karen has an MDiv (from VST) and a diploma in Family Systems Counselling, as well as an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences. She has also worked as a family and lead group counsellor, and shelter worker. In her ministry, she is passionate about welcoming, working with, and encouraging people of all ages.
Her strengths include:
o creative worship, faith formation, and community outreach
o building collaborative team environments with staff; she was very attracted to the opportunity to work in team ministry
o multi-cultural, interfaith, reconciliation and outreach work. She has gifts in teaching, small group facilitation, counseling, children and youth programs, preaching, and worship leadership.
o Her references had an endless list of positive things to say.
For example: she has gifts in putting people at ease and reading the room; she is a leader by example, works
collaboratively, and is compassionate, creative, motivated and hard working.
Karen is very community oriented and has been and is a member of several community-focused boards;
e.g. Howe Sound Women’s Centre. Karen is very musical and loves to sing. She loves dragon boating, among other sports, and the outdoors. Karen is married and has two school-aged girls.