Heather McRae

Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator

Heather moved to Paris, the hometown of her husband Andy and began attending services at St. James, his childhood church. She is mom to two boys and joined the Sunday School team thirteen years ago when her first son started attending classes.

As an artist and designer she loves to use creativeness and imagination to teach the love of God in every Sunday School class.

Sarah Holmstrom

Honorary Assistant

Sarah Holmstrom comes from Edmonton, Alberta where she served as a priest in the Anglican Diocese for four years.  Sarah has a Master of Arts in Theology and is persuing her PhD in Theology at Wycliffe College.

Sarah has a passion for the history and the traditions of the church, particularly Anglican liturgy and the way it shapes and forms people in their faith.  She also has a keen interest in the social sciences and their connection to theology.  In particular she is interested in faith development in children as well as the church’s response to mental health issues.

Sarah is married to Curtis Whale who manages Fluid Life Systems Labs in Brantford, ON.  She is the proud auntie of three nieces and one nephew. Sarah is a big hockey fan and plays ball hockey year-round.  She also keeps active through walking and biking and looks forward to testing out the Brant County trails.  When not moving, Sarah enjoys a good cup of joe at the local coffee shops.

Dr. Mark Bowald

Theologian in Residence

Dr. Mark Bowald earned his Ph.D. in Theology at Wycliffe College under Fr. George Schner S.J. and John Webster.  He has over 12 years of teaching experience at Redeemer University College and Wycliffe College and is presently a lecturer in Spiritual Formation at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto.  He is the General Editor for Christian Scholar’s Review and has served on the board of Langham Canada for over a decade.  He is a freelance editor and author whose recent books include Reading Faithfully: Writings from the Archives and the recent republication of his Rendering the Word in Theological Hermeneutics: Mapping Divine and Human Agency.  His passions include hermeneutics, the history of the interpretation of Scripture, theology and film and television studies.  He also occasionally works in various writing and production capacities with WestWind Pictures and Suddenly SeeMore Productions including serving as production coordinator for the acclaimed short-form children’s show, The Art Show, currently airing on the CBC.  He welcomes invitations to speak about scriptural hermeneutics, theology or film. He lives in Brantford where you are as likely to find him home as camping in Michigan or on the trails biking up and down the Grand River.

Jonathan Massimi

Parish Missioner

Ordained a Priest in 2011, Jonathan began ministry in the Diocese of Huron as pastor of Counterpoint Church, Brantford. After 4 years in this role he then took a management position with United Way Waterloo Region Communities. After close to 3 years of grassroots community work, Jonathan accepted a position with the City of Kitchener as Supervisor of Community Centres. In 2017 Jonathan completed his DMin in Contextual Theology from Northern Seminary located in Lombard, Illinois. He is married to Erika who is a secondary school teacher, and together they have two boys, Samuel and Silas. As Parish Missioner, Jonathan assists the Rector in community engagement initiatives and of course…other duties as assigned.

Dawn McClelland

Lay Pastoral Assistant

Dawn is a long time member of St. James’ Church.  As a licensed Lay-Reader she assists at the 8:30 a.m. Book of Common Prayer Service on Sunday mornings.  She is also responsible for Seniors and Women’s Ministries.  Dawn works part time at the Brantford General Hospital as a chaplain.  She and her husband Colin live in Paris.

Fr. Jason Postma

Rector

Ordained a Priest in May 2016 and appointed by Bishop Linda Nicholls as Rector of St. James in September 2017, The Reverend Jason Postma is the spiritual, theological, and liturgical leader of our parish family. Fr. Jason is married to Natalie and has four children who are a constant source of joy and exhaustion. Having lived throughout southwestern Ontario and two years abroad in Japan, Fr. Jason and his family are happy to make Paris their home.

Scott Millward

Music Director

Scott leads a large and prolific Music Ministry at St James. He is our organist and  Musical Director at St James. He has been associated with St James for many years. Scott is married to Donna, a member of our choir and praise band, and has 5 grown up children.

We have a choir, 2 praise bands, a youth praise band, a Men’s choir and most recently a Chimers (Handbell) group. The choir sings at all 10.30 Sunday services and the various other groups take the lead in the service on a rotational basis.

The Choir gives concerts in Spring and at Christmas. The whole music ministry team periodically presents an evening of music – the latest being a concert of Beatles Music.

Judy Cardy

Parish Administrator

Judy has been our parish administrator for many years and is the anchor of all that goes on in and around the church. Want to know anything about St James – Judy is the go to person. She is in her office Tuesday – Friday from 9.00 till 2.30 (excepting Summer break).

Judy is married to Don and has 2 grown up children.