Staff at Briarwood

Minister

The Rev. Sarina Meyer was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on February 22, 2009, and transferred her ordination to the Presbyterian Church in Canada on January 22, 2017. She began her call as the minister at Briarwood at that time. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002, a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2007, and a Master of Arts from McGill in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity in 2017.

Before coming to Briarwood, Sarina served as Temporary Supply Associate Pastor at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A. She also stayed home with her two children for several years, during which she enjoyed the opportunity to do contract teaching work in the church, and also to lead worship in 15 congregations in the U.S. and Canada. Sarina also worked at the Presbyterian College in Montreal as the Interim Director of Continuing Education during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Sarina enjoys preaching and teaching. She especially enjoys the intersection between ancient Christianity and the changes happening in our contemporary culture today. She is always exploring the question of how Jesus is working in our own lives and how Jesus is calling us to bring God’s love to others in similar ways. For example, if God has blessed us with healing from a difficult event, how can we be the hands and feet of Jesus to bring healing and wholeness to others? She enjoys being the pastor at Briarwood, especially the opportunity to serve God with a congregation that is particularly interested in being the hands and feet of Jesus in their everyday lives, both in our community and throughout the world.

In her spare time, Sarina enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She likes reading, playing video, computer, and tabletop games, as well as strength-training exercise. She also enjoys getting together with friends over coffee, craft beer, or a glass of wine. She lives in Beaconsfield, QC, Canada with her husband, Professor Brett Meyer, and their two children, Micah and Junia.

Telephone: 514-695-1879

Email: sarina@briarwoodpresbyterianchurch.ca

Children and Youth Director

Stevie Thriepland is a cradle-Presbyterian, who loves walking in faith with the Briarwood community. She comes from a performance background, with years of theatre and musical performance under her belt. Most recently, Stevie has been using her skills to create and animate online content for our Children and Youth Programs, as well as leading musical worship in our Sunday services.

Stevie has two children, and one cat, and enjoys reading, knitting, baking, and cooking.

Email: stevie@briarwoodpresbyterianchurch.ca

Choir Director and Organist

Marian Siminski has been our organist since September 2021. She brings many years of experience in the field of music.

Marian is the Music Director for Lakeshore Light Opera, as well as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International. She and her husband Tom live in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.

Worship Band Leaders

Judy Pemberton, Stevie Thriepland, and Brett Meyer are on the music staff at Briarwood as worship band leaders.

For more information, please contact the church office at 514-695-1879 or info@briarwoodpresbyterianchurch.ca.

Church Administrator

Nancy Wojciechowski runs the church office as administrator, manages community sharing and rentals, and is a masterful coordinator and program supporter of Briarwood. Most Sundays you will find her singing hymns and playing keyboard in the worship band.

In her spare time, Nancy enjoys music, cooking, gardening, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and most of all spending time with family and friends. She lives in Pointe-Claire with her husband Edwin.

Telephone: 514-695-1879
Email: info@briarwoodpresbyterianchurch.ca