Staff Team
Rev. David Hart
Supply Lead Minister
david.hart@bedfordunited.com
David was BUC’s lead minister for 25 years between 1993 and 2018. For the past six years he has engaged in deep spiritual practice, extensive global travel, some mentoring and consulting, and volunteering with church and the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax. David is married to Daniele and together they have one adult daughter, Kinza.
Rev. Katie Aven
Congregational Minister
katie.aven@bedfordunited.com
Katie began listening to God as a child, growing up in the Mojave desert in California. Today, her spiritual life continues to be grounded in the experience of prayer as an act of mutual listening. Katie’s theology is at home in the contemplative Christian experience, in places of progressive Christian cosmology, and in witnessing to a world saturated by the Christ consciousness. A passionate lover of the Bible, Katie believes in the ability of Scripture to speak powerfully in today’s world – right here, right now.
Katie graduated with her Master of Divinity in 2005, and was ordained (recorded) into ministry with the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. She served two Quaker communities, in addition to her ministry of chaplaincy. From 2005 until 2018, Katie served as a staff chaplain to hospitals in Halifax, and is a Certified Specialist in Pastoral Care and Counselling (CASC).
Katie has been preaching and presiding in the United Church of Canada since 2012, when she also began the process of aligning her ordination with her true church home. Katie was ordained in 2019 and accepted the call to be at Bedford United. She lives in Halifax with her family.
Rev. ROBYN BROWN-HEWITT
SUPPLY Minister OF CONGREGATIONAL CARE
robyn.brown-hewitt@bedfordunited.com
Robyn began her ministry with Bedford United as Supply Minister of Congregational Care, part-time, on October 1st, 2023. She continues to serve as the United Church of Canada Campus Minister at Dalhousie Multifaith Services, a part-time position she has enjoyed since 2015.
As someone who thrives in learning circles, during the past 10 years Robyn has been involved in educational ministry as a Sessional Instructor and as Director of the Youth Ministry Diploma Program at Atlantic School of Theology. Robyn has been the Faith & Spirituality Program Coordinator for Tatamagouche Educational Centre, and the Coordinator of the Licensed Lay Worship Leader Atlantic program.
Now, after 40 years of lived experience with the United Church, Robyn compares herself to the Skin Horse in the timeless story, The Velveteen Rabbit. Like the Skin Horse, she may be becoming a bit “loose in the joints” but it doesn’t matter for, as their minister, she has been loved into “becoming Real” by the good people of Canadian Memorial (Vancouver), Andover-Kincardine, Lunenburg, and Wolfville pastoral charges. Recently, Robyn completed the Master of Narrative Therapy & Community Work degree (UMelbourne’19). She has found Narrative counselling practice to be life-giving and deeply meaningful. At Bedford United, Robyn returns to pastoral ministry with renewed energy and curiosity.
Robyn is married to David Hewitt, Regional Minister for Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region. They have two sons, Nathan and Charlie, and two daughters-in-love, Sarah and Emily.
Tony Janes
Minister Of Music
tony.janes@bedfordunited.com
Tony Janes is our Music Ministry Lead here at Bedford United Church. Tony started singing when he was 3 years old and found himself directing choirs at the ripe age of 12! Since that time, the love for Music and Worship grew stronger in his life and led him to take on Worship Leading roles in several churches in the Maritimes and Newfoundland. Growing up attending the Salvation Army (as well as Pentecostal, Baptist and United Churches), really grounded Tony in his faith in Christ and also provided a rich background in music. Tony is also a private music teacher, teaching many instruments including Piano, Voice, Guitar and Trumpet to name a few. He lives with his husband, Jason, in Bedford, NS.
Tony's heart and life's desire is to see people encouraged and drawn closer to The Source of Life through vibrant and heartfelt worship. He also lives to be an example for the LGBTQ2S+ community in relaying the message that God loves all. God created all. And God has a plan for all. He believes in the message of Bedford United Church that ALL are welcome to be a part of such a vibrant congregation! When you visit BUC, you will most likely see and hear Tony at the piano, inviting the congregation to get up and enter in because "...the gates of holiness are open wide!"
Paige Fraser
Family Ministries Leader
paige.fraser@bedfordunited.com
Paige Fraser is our Family Ministry Leader at Bedford United Church. Paige came to Bedford United Church with over 10 years experience in children and youth ministry. Paige received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of New Brunswick and went on to complete a degree in Social Work in Toronto. Prior to her time at BUC, Paige has served with The GO Project, a children and youth outreach program through the United Church of Canada as the Program Director. Through her work with GO, Paige was involved in national and regional children and youth ministries with a focus on interfaith and social justice work. In addition to this, Paige has worked in children and youth ministry at Islington United Church and Trinity St. Paul’s in Toronto. Paige has been involved in planning and participating in numerous national gatherings for youth such as General Council Youth Forum and Rendezvous. Paige is thrilled to be living and working in beautiful Nova Scotia and has deep roots and appreciation for the ways that Camp Kidston, Berwick Camp and Maritime Conference Youth Forum have shaped her faith.
Paige is passionate about building community and offering leadership that allows people of all ages to grow and thrive. Paige cares deeply about creating safe space for young and old to explore their faith, ask questions and come close to God. Paige is excited to be returning to BUC with her one-year-old Marshall and partner Mike. Paige is especially grateful to be serving with a community that supports one another with such compassion and generosity.
Jennifer Johnson
Office Administrator
office@bedfordunited.com
Jennifer Johnson first came upon Bedford United Church in 1997 when she and her husband moved to Bedford from Toronto. They felt instantly at home in the BUC congregation and family, becoming members not long after their arrival. Jennifer has participated in many committees and church activities over the years, some revolving around children and families after daughter Hope was born.
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in administration and back in the 1990’s, Jennifer completed a Masters Degree in Adult Education and particularly enjoyed learning about working with diversity, the adult maturation process and the spirituality of education. She began her work with us in 2016-my how time has flown!
“It’s a busy office!” says Jennifer, “but you are welcome here any time.”
Lauren Scott
CHILDREN & FAMILy Ministry Leader
lauren.scott@bedfordunited.com
Lauren is passionate about children. She began coming to BUC in 2008. Lauren was pregnant at the time and was looking for a church family where her new family could belong.
Lauren fell in love with BUC because of our inclusivity, as have many people in our congregation. She volunteered extensively with children’s programming throughout the years and now works closely with Paige supporting Children and Family Ministry.
Lauren often wonders if she would win the prize for having slept on the church’s gym floor the most of anyone, thanks to all those Sunday School sleepovers. In addition to her work at BUC, Lauren works in private practice as a therapist as well as in mental health consultancy.
Brian Skelly
Property & Facilities worker
brian.skelly@bedfordunited.com
Brian came to us in 2018 having relocated from the Toronto area in 2012. He is very much enjoying the East Coast lifestyle! Brian is a red seal carpenter who enjoys the challenges of maintaining the Bedford United Church facility. He is a huge sports fan and enjoys playing pick up hockey and golf. Brian enjoys his work at the church and the opportunities to meet and interact with members of the community. He is happy to lend a hand whenever he can!