The Staff Team

Staff Team

Our Commitment

As the Staff team of Robertson-Wesley, we are committed to offering our skills and insight in response to the needs and opportunities of this exciting and dynamic congregation.

While each staff member has their own specific areas of responsibility, we do our best to work in close coordination with each other and with the leadership of the congregation. Through our weekly staff meetings, and the support of the Ministry & Personnel Committee, we try to cultivate a strong team relationship with each other and with the congregation as a whole, each playing their part in the whole ministry of Robertson-Wesley.

Rev. Jim Allan

Minister of Spiritual Development

Jim will be away on Sabbatical for three months, starting April 23, 2012. He will be back in the office on July 24, 2012

Jim was born in Edmonton and grew up mostly in Calgary. Following a B.A. (English) at the University of Calgary and M. Div. at the Vancouver of Theology with an internship in Toronto, Jim was ordained by the Alberta Conference of the United Church in 1982. Since then he served congregations in Sherwood Park, Sidney (BC), North Vancouver, and Camrose before coming to Robertson-Wesley in 2006.

His responsibilities here are R-W include: (1) worship, preaching and conducting weddings and funerals (2) education, spiritual development and social justice, (3) pastoral care ministry, (4) support for the governance of the congregation, and (5) administration. His primary passion is preaching, together with related study of the Bible and creating and leading worship.

Jim and his wife, Dawn enjoy living here in the west end of Edmonton (within walking distance of the church) together with their colony of cats.

Rev. Karen Bridges

Minister of Congregation and Community Development

Karen was born and raised in Edmonton and within The United Church of Canada. Following her B.A (Drama major, and Religious Studies minor) from the University of Alberta, Karen completed her Master of Theological Studies at St. Stephen's College in 1998 while working full time as the Children, Youth and Young Adult Minister at Riverbend United Church until 2009.

Karen attended the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained by the Alberta Northwest Conference in May, 2011. During that time Karen served a Student Supply appointment at St. Stephen's United Church in Vancouver and completed her internship at Robertson-Wesley United Church.

Karen accepted a call to Robertson-Wesley United Church as the Minister of Congregation and Community Development beginning June 1, 2011. Her responsibilities here at R-W include: worship, preaching, conducting weddings and funerals, pastoral care ministry, family and children's ministry, youth and young adult ministry, outreach and social justice ministry, governance and administration.

Karen has a passion for storytelling, creative worship, visioning, leadership development and faith formation, and she has a weakness for lattes!

Tammy-Jo Mortensen

Director of Music

Tammy-Jo originally hails from Sherwood Park and is thrilled to be back in the Edmonton region as a full-time musician. She completed the Master of Music programme (pipe organ performance) at McGill University (Montreal) and a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Alberta. Her teachers have included John Grew, Rejean Poirier, Marnie Giesbrecht and Jacobus Kloppers.

She has an extensive church music background as a music director, organist, choir director, singer and handbell ringer in many denominations. As well as being the Music Director at Robertson-Wesley United Church, she performs solo and chamber recitals, is called upon as an adjudicator and examiner, teaches privately, and is the harpsichordist for the Alberta Baroque Ensemble.

Currently Tammy-Jo is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Alberta, under the guidance of Leonard Ratzlaff and Debra Cairns.

Tammy-Jo has two men in her life who both love all genres of music; husband Mike and son, Lucas.

For more information, see Tammy-Jo's web site

(Photo: Gerry Parlby)

Brad Campbell

Custodian

Brad takes care of this busy facility of ours with dedication, competence, warmth and good humour. (He also prefers not to have his picture taken.)

Tanya Eckenswiller

Office Administrator

With Carmen Emmottt on extended sick leave, Tanya started in the office in July, 2011.

Tanya was born and raised in Edmonton. The communities around Robertson-Wesley are new to her and she is finding it all rather exciting to explore this side of Edmonton. Tanya has ten years managerial experience working in the private sector and also worked for four years part time in the non-profit sector. She desired to continue in that direction to work full time for a non-profit organization to nurture her passions which encompass all areas of social science. Robertson-Wesley United Church is the perfect fit. Tanya loves to travel and star gaze. There is no place in this world (and maybe someday even the galaxy!) that Tanya would not like to visit.

Carmen Emmott

Currently on sick leave

Carmen grew up in Edmonton close to Robertson-Wesley. She has lived in Grande Prairie, Fairview, Montreal, Calgary, and Boston.

She completed a Master of Education at McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts and a Professional Diploma in Education at the University of Alberta. She has taught English and reading courses in both secondary school and at the college level.

Carmen has an extensive collection of art pottery from the Art Deco period and over 150 pieces of bakelite jewelry. For years, she was active in the Wild Rose Antique Collectors’ Club.

Carmen and Lyle have been back in Edmonton for five years. Their only daughter Alexandra lives in Boston – she co-owns Canto 6, a bakery and café.

Rev. Dr. Aubrey Edworthy

Minister Emeritus

In 2010, Robertson-Wesley said good-bye to Rev. Dr. Aubrey Edworthy and his wife Winn, who moved then to Saskatchewan to be closer to family. Aubrey was minister here from 1966 to 1984 when he retired, and subsequently, he and Winn were active members of R-W, with Aubrey honoured as Minister Emeritus. Aubrey and Winn go with our love and blessings and will surely be missed.

Rev. Heather Koots

Interim Minister

Heather joined the staff of Robertson-Wesley in September 2009 and served on a half-time basis till June 2010. At that time, she moved on to continue her training in hospital chaplaincy, specializing in care of children.

Rev. James Ravenscroft

Formerly, Minister of Congregational Care

James served in ministry at Robertson-Wesley from 2005 to 2009 when he moved to St. Albert United Church. He was involved with many aspects of church life at Robertson-Wesley, primarily overseeing pastoral care initiatives, and faith formation programs like Kids’ Church, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and small groups. James also assisted with worship leadership and conducted memorial services and weddings.