COORDINATING MINISTER

Reverend Sandra Nixon was ordained in the United Church of Canada in 2006. She has been with Trinity-Grace since 2010. Originally from Winnipeg, she has called the Lower Mainland home for the past 25 years, and has served congregations in both Vancouver and Richmond.

Sandra is passionate about social justice, community-building and spirituality at the intersection of science and religion. She also loves west coast life, especially yoga, gardening and coffee. Sandra’s family includes her spouse Bryn, two adult children and feline companions Ashie and Smudge.

Read Sandra’s sermons here

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ANIMATOR

Shadia focuses on outreach, community building, networking and social justice activities for our faith community. She worked in peace building and advocacy initiatives through local and international organizations in Israel and Palestine for 15 years.

As a Palestine Christian, she works to amplify the voices and perspectives of women and minorities. Her education includes International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College, and Inter-religious and Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. Shadia is currently pursuing Ph.D studies.

Read Shadia’s sermons here.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Anita brings years of administrative experience combined with a love of theology and Christian community to her work at Trinity Grace. She sees administration as providing solid, dependable and creative scaffolding to the work of building diverse and flourishing communities.

She is passionate about non-violent peacemaking and pursing justice as a way of life, particularly addressing colonial violence both locally and internationally.  Anita nourishes her soul through time with her friends, family and animal companions, as well as spending time with the mountains, forests and waters of Coast Salish territory.

Read Anita’s sermons here

MUSIC TEAM

Naoki has trained as a musician since the tender age of 8. On graduating from high school in Japan, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education in music. He received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Arizona and Boise State University, and an Associate of Arts in Music degree from Western Wyoming Community College. He then relocated to Vancouver to study with internationally acclaimed pianist, Sara Davis Buechner. Vancouver is also where he met his wife, Melody.

MUSIC TEAM

Vancouver-based soprano D’Arcy Blunston is a sought after artist and collaborator who is confident across musical genres, from opera to musical theatre and beyond. 

Behind the scenes, D’Arcy has worked as an administrator, production manager, stage manager, vocal coach, chorus master, sound operator, and production assistant. A passionate music educator, D’Arcy maintains a private voice studio Burnaby, BC. She is thrilled to be part of the worship team and musical life of Trinity-Grace United Church.