Title Caption
Ms. Ruth Heine, Mission Engagement Facilitator & 9 am Worship Leader
Ms. Shawna Stirman, Parish Administrator
My name is Shawna and I am the church secretary. Its hard to believe I have been here for 3 years already.
I grew up in Sherwood Park and attended St Thomas when I was young. I currently attend Sherwood Park Alliance.
I am a mom of two boys and teach piano as a second job after my day at St Thomas.
I feel very blessed to have the jobs and life that I have!
My late husband Dale and I started attending St. Thomas in 1971. We were both involved in many Lay Ministry positions over the years, some for short periods of time and some for much longer. I have served as Parish Secretary, Envelope Secretary for the past 10 years, and a Lay Reader for over 25 years. Two years ago I was ordained to the Vocational Diaconate.I graduated from the Education For Ministry (EFM) in 1996. In addition I became an EFM Mentor and was also appointed as the Diocesan Coordinator. In 2005 I graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Native Studies. In my position as a Vocational Deacon my ministry is focused on the roles of Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Coordinator of “We are all Treaty People”, which works to build our ministry of reconciliation. My ministry also includes my role as Envelope Secretary and I also coordinate and prepare the Lay Ministry Worship schedule 3 times a year.I have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Over the years 3 of my children and 8 of my grandchildren have been baptized into this faith community. I currently share my everyday life with my cat Picasso and my dog Shadow. I have been very blessed to be able to grow spiritually in this community.
Rev. Judy Purkis, Deacon
Rev. Stephanie London, Assistant Priest
I grew up in the Anglican Church, and discerned a call to ordained ministry while serving in various positions in youth ministry, on diocesan staff, internationally, and in inner-city EdmontonI met Steve at Yale Divinity School, and we were ordained priests together in 2004. Currently, I oversee the GriefShare ministry at St. Thomas; preach, provide pastoral care and lead services occasionally; and assist other ministries where needed. I am passionate about the visual arts, and most enjoy leading retreats and workshops for people of all ages that combine spirituality with creative expression.Our three school-aged children and tank full of gerbils keep us busy when we are not hanging out with the people of St.Thomas.
St Thomas Anglican Staff
Call me Steve! I started out in the US, but have been in Canada since 2003, and am happily a Canadian citizen. My whole priestly ministry has been here in the Diocese of Edmonton, though I have served in various capacities at other parishes in Ohio, Texas and Connecticut. I really enjoy a wide variety of worship styles and seeing what other churches are doing; that is the only limitation of being a parish priest: I don't get to see other churches very often! But it is also one of the reasons I am very happy here at St. Thomas; we have our own wide variety right here!
I was trained in Connecticut at the Yale Divinity School and the attached Episcopal Seminary, Berkeley Divinity School. It is also where I met my wife Stephanie, who is also a priest at St. Thomas. We have three beautiful and very energetic children. If I have a passion in ministry it would probably be preaching, one on one ministry and leadership and administration. I am particularly interested in the how churches are navigating the challenges and the exciting possibilities of the 21st century. There is a real balance to being the church family in continuity with the centuries of people who have gone before us and who have proclaimed the good news of Jesus' work of reconciliation and healing, and being authentic to the new realities of the digital and post-Christendom era. I find it to be a very exciting time to be church and to be part of the great conversation as to where we are going now.
As to hobbies and other interests, sometimes I feel there are too many! I love to read, to hang out with my family, to hike, play golf and learn new things. But most of all I really love being a priest. There is nothing quite like it!