Rev. Joyce Pearce has lived in the Hamilton/Burlington area all her life, and has been a resident of Aldershot since 1975. She graduated from Ancaster High School in 1969, and then McMaster University in 1972 with a B.A. in Psychology, and later she completed a Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College in Toronto in 1995. In 1995 Joyce joined in ministry at Pioneer Memorial United in Hamilton for 3 years. Then Joyce served 4 years at the Copetown and Rockton charge before coming to West Plains in May, 2002.
Joyce is married and has two grown daughters. She loves ministry because of the wonderful people she meets. Her hobbies and interests include biking, kayaking, music, cooking and many friendships. She loves West Plains – it’s like being in the garden of God’s love!
To contact our minister Joyce, send a message to: minister@westplains.ca
Lianne has been our Music Director and Organist since 1997. She accompanies our worship music on organ and other instruments, and conducts the 20 voice senior choir, which recorded and released their first CD entitled Jubilate! in 2004. Lianne enjoys working with the young people of West Plains to encourage an enjoyment of music and the arts. She has led a junior choir, an Easter band, intergenerational choir, and the Men's Choir. In 2008, Lianne worked with many church members and friends to produce an awesome production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, with cast members drawn from the woodwork of the West Plains family. The shows were a great success!
Lianne graduated from McMaster University with a Master of Engineering degree. She worked in the pioneering field of digital radiography at McMaster Medical Centre before beginning her career as a science teacher at Appleby College in Oakville, where she serves as chapel organist for daily services and for special occasions, including visits by HRH Duke of York and renowned Inuit artist Kenojuak. Lianne accompanies the 80 voice Appleby College Chapel Choir and has accompanied the Cantus Chamber Choir on performance tours to Italy, France and New York City. Lianne has loved and sung choral music since youth, counting as valuable training her time singing with the Georgian Bay Youth Chorus, the Hamilton Children's Choir, Vox Nouveau, McMaster University Choir, the John Laing Singers and the Burlington Civic Chorale. She began piano studies at an early age, and took up the organ in high school, when she joined the Binkley United Church choir in Hamilton, under the mentorship of Dr. William Renwick. Subsequently, after a short time of organ study with Dr. John Tuttle, Lianne earned the Diploma of Colleague of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (CRCCO). She has been active as a church organist in the Greater Hamilton area ever since. Lianne holds the ARCT diploma in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Diploma in Lay Ministry from Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto. She served as President of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Hamilton Centre, from 2001-2003 and remains actively involved in the RCCO's mission to promote the organ and its music. She had the once in a lifetime privilege of contributing to the process leading up to the installation of the new three-manual Casavant pipe organ at Appleby College in 2003, and continues to have the pleasure of consulting with West Plains member, Neil Shaw of Shaw Organs, on the delightful Shaw electronic organ at West Plains.
We are so blessed with Lianne's amazing musical gifts and her wonderful personality at West Plains.
To contact our music director, send a message to: info@westplains.ca
Megan Groves is our Youth Leader.
To contact Megan send a message to: info@westplains.ca
Catherine Floyd is our secretary in the office. Catherine is a great presence in our church and an efficient, conscientious member of our team. Our church office is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 am to 1 pm.
To contact Catherine send a message to: info@westplains.ca
Jim Oliver is our church caretaker or custodian. Jim keeps our building in great order and puts a smile on our face at the same time.