Ministry Team

Rev. Catherine MacDonald – Intentional Interim Minister

In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful…
In the Lord, I will rejoice.
Look to God, do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near,
Lift up your voices the Lord is near.

This is how I often start my morning, by singing these words from the Taizé Community. These words do not dismiss or ignore the challenging times we live in or the reality of our broken world, but rather, they are a statement of faith. They are a reminder that no matter what, I have much for which to be thankful.

I was ordained by Maritime Conference in 2004, after finally responding to God’s call. It was a call that I felt from my childhood, although it took a long time to recognize it. I have ministered in rural, suburban and urban contexts and have an appreciation the differences and similarities.

I grew up as an ‘air force brat,’ mostly in small communities across Canada, and so have learned how to say hello, build relationships and then to say good-bye.

My theological understanding of ministry is one of accompaniment. Jesus spent most of his ministry walking with people, sharing their lives, teaching and preaching, nudging, encouraging, comforting and challenging them. I have a vision of ministry that calls us all, young, old and in between, personally and communally, into transformed and transforming lives together.

As people in our communities are often third or fourth generations from church experience, I believe it is important to take Jesus’ message out into the community, to open our doors and to enter other doors. I love creative worship & preaching, adult faith exploration, and working with a congregation to find ways of reaching their potential and create a way forward.   

I have a deep conviction that our churches have a role in today’s society and a belief in the transforming power of our sacred texts and the life of Jesus. I love connecting our scriptures with everyday life and am dedicated to multi-sensory worship experience. Sacred photography, seeing the holy through the lens of my camera has become an integral part of my spiritual practice. 

I see my role as Interim Minister as a midwife. There will be hard work, there will be times when we wonder how and why we got into this situation, and there will be times of anxiety and feeling stuck. But together, we will give birth to something new and beautiful.

I blog at www.mywindowongodsworld.com and can be contacted at 902-483-1422, or via email at reverendcatherinemacdonald@gmail.com

Dean Bradshaw is our Music Director; his service to the United Church of Canada began approximately thirty years ago, at Bedford United, where he spent sixteen years doing services both traditional and contemporary.

Dean feels so ‘at home’ with St. James, and its organ and choir, though occasionally he joins the Carillon Choir (led by Joyce Wylie) for a bells and keyboard selection.

Dean studied piano and composition at the University of Toronto, and following graduation, was a rehearsal pianist for the National Ballet of Canada and dance studios in the city. Since moving to Halifax in 1988, he has taught at the Maritime Conservatory and continues to accompany community choirs (Encor East, and Seton Conservatory Choir). He has taught keyboard theory for over twenty years and been a staff accompanist at Dalhousie University. On the other end of the spectrum is his accompanying work at the Scotia Suzuki School of Music, where he works with children and teens. Dean can be reached at beforethursday@hotmail.com

Cathy McLeod is the Office Administrator and is the first person you’ll meet and the friendly voice on our phone. A long-time member of St. James, she became office manager in 2020. Cathy enjoys working with people and is happy when called on to solve problems. When not in the office, you can find her enjoying her garden, preparing for book club, or spending time with her family.