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Our SLC Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, June 8. At this meeting, Lynn Onions and Val Austring presented the nominations report, and new officers were elected to the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC).

New Officers

We are delighted to welcome Tom Barichello, who will begin his role as Treasurer on July 1. Tom has deep roots in the United Church—his grandfather once served as a minister at Sharon United in Langley. Over the years, Tom has taught high school math, run his family’s dairy farm (including managing the farm’s finances), and now lives in Crescent Beach. We are grateful for his willingness to share his gifts with the church.

We also warmly welcome Jennifer Adams, who will be joining the SLC as a Member-at-Large starting in July. Jennifer has been part of PUC since 2022 and brings with her a wealth of experience in church leadership and advocacy, particularly for marginalized communities. She is deeply committed to meaningful inclusion and community-building and we’re excited to have her voice at the table.

Val Austring, who has been serving as Member-at-Large, will be stepping into a new role as SLC Secretary beginning in July. We are thankful for her continued dedication to the life and leadership of PUC.

Recognition of Officers

As we wrap up another season of faithful service, we extend our heartfelt thanks to two extraordinary leaders whose terms on the SLC are coming to a close this month.

Beth Henderson, who has served as Secretary for the past four years, has brought care, clarity, and consistency to every meeting. Her thoughtful presence and attention to detail have kept us grounded through times of change, and her leadership has been a gift.

Sharon Birney, our devoted Treasurer since Peninsula United’s amalgamation eight years ago, is also concluding her term. Her service, however, spans much longer—she previously served as Treasurer for Crescent United for 14 years. Sharon’s wise and steady financial leadership has been essential in helping the congregation remain strong, stable, and faithful to its mission. Her legacy of integrity and commitment will continue to bless the church.

Please join us in giving heartfelt thanks to Beth and Sharon for their many years of dedicated service. We are truly blessed by their leadership.

Celebrating PUC Involvement in the Wider Church

We’re delighted to celebrate several Peninsula United Church members who are actively serving in the wider United Church of Canada.

United Church of Canada Candidacy Board & Office of Vocation Committees

We give thanks for Anna Paton, Susan Harland, and Linda Lee Henriksen, who are currently serving on the United Church of Canada’s Candidacy Board. This national body accompanies and supports individuals discerning a call to ministry, ensuring thoughtful, inclusive, and Spirit-led discernment processes across the church.

We’re also pleased to share that Mollie Williams has been appointed to the Office of Vocation Credentialing Committee, serving from August 2025 to August 2028. In this role, she helps support the ongoing integrity and excellence of ministry leadership by credentialing Educational Supervisors, Interim Ministers, and Military Chaplains. We are grateful for her faithful and skilled leadership in this important work.

Pacific Mountain Regional Council 2025 Annual General Meeting

Several members from PUC participated in the PMRC Annual General Meeting, held May 29–June 1, 2025, in Nanaimo. Thank you to:

Anna Paton, Linda Lee Henriksen, Elizabeth Winkler, Susan Harland, Jean Macdonald, Greg Glatz, and Mollie Williams for representing our community with care and commitment.

For those interested, the agenda and reports from the meeting can be found here: PMRC 2025 Agenda and Reports (PDF)