Synod Staff
The Venerable
Bruce
Bryant-Scott
Diocesan Executive Officer & Diocesan Archdeacon
Bruce has been in this role three years, having previously been the Rector of the Parish of Pender & Saturna Islands.
He is responsible for supporting and implementing the ministry and mission of the bishop and the synod, and any commissions and committees established by them.
He is involved in the recruitment and deployment of clergy, and frequently acts as commissary to the bishop. He works with various synodical committees, and is, with the canon pastor the Rev. Jack Rose, responsible for the administration of the sexual misconduct policy. He is responsible for the management of the diocesan office and diocesan staff.
The Reverend Dr. Gary Nicolosi
Diocesan Congregational Development Officer
My mission statement puts it this way: Working in collaboration with the Bishop, the clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese of British Columbia, the CDF will be a catalyst for congregational transformation by providing support, advice and resources to congregations so that all parishes in the Diocese can be healthy and wholesome communities of faith who act with courage, clarity and conviction in effectively connecting the gospel with culture.
A catalyst for congregational transformation – that is the essence of my job.
Whether the parish is large or small, in an urban, suburban or rural setting, up island or down, or on one of the Gulf Islands, and regardless of theological persuasion, my job is to assist congregations to become vibrant communities of faith that witness God’s unconditional love and amazing grace in Jesus Christ.
Imelda Secker
Sr. Administrative Assistant
Imelda, who has been working in the Synod office for seven years, provides administrative support for Bishop James Cowan and the Executive Officer ~ the Venerable Bruce Bryant-Scott as well as the Diocesan Council, Educational Trusts Board, Canons Committee, Committee on Ordained Ministry and Diaconal Discernment. Imelda is also back up for the Administrative Assistant, Judith Coleman.
Judith Coleman
Administrative Assistant
Judith who joined us on a permanent basis for a ¾ time position this past spring provides administrative support for the Executive Officer ~ the Venerable Bruce Bryant-Scott, Diocesan Youth Ministries Coordinator ~ Captain Ian Gibbs, the Canon Pastor for the Sexual Misconduct Policy ~ the Reverend Jack Rose, as well as other committees and programs of the Diocese and Synod.
She is responsible for Criminal Record checks, Accounts Payable, administration of the Marriage Preparation Course and the updating and distribution of the Diocesan Telephone Directory. Judith is also the back up for Senior Administrative Assistant, Imelda Secker, and the Receptionist, Lynda Dominy.
Lynda Dominy
Receptionist
For three years Lynda has been welcoming people as they come to the Diocesan Office, as well as fielding & directing all phone calls to the Synod office. She provides administrative support to all the staff as needed, organizes mailing & shipping including the monthly mailing to the parishes, and is responsible for daily banking, accounts receivable, and arrangements for Synod office meetings.
Marion Little
Canon Pastor, Sexual Misconduct Policy
Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith Policy
The Canon Pastor reports directly to the Bishop and the Executive Officer. She is supported by a Diocesan Response Team (DRT) comprised of clergy and lay persons who are well qualified and trained to respond pastorally to crises that may occur within the Diocese. Led by the Canon Pastor, the DRT meets several times during the year. Complaints concerning sexual misconduct are generally received by the Canon Pastor who then initiates the process as outlined in the policy. This process is well defined and reflects the standards of Provincial and General Synods.
The major portion of the work of the Canon Pastor is devoted to education and training in keeping children and other vulnerable persons safe within the programs and ministries of the Church. Sessions are held regularly for clergy and volunteer workers in a wide range of activities from Youth Workers and Church School Teachers to Pastoral Care Givers and Church Musicians.
Members of the response team and other qualified trainers are always prepared to assist in keeping our churches as safe as possible.
Marion is a regular contributor to ‘The Diocesan Post’.
The Reverend
Jack Rose
Former Canon Pastor, Sexual Misconduct Policy
Jack is the former Canon Pastor and, as such, was responsible for the administration of the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
He is currently assisting the new Canon Pastor Marion Little with the implementation of Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith Policy ~ this can be found on the Resources page.
Harry Felsing
Diocesan Finance Officer
Harry joined the Diocese January 1st, 2009. He is responsible for its financial operations. He acts as the business manager for the diocese and works with committees and parishes in the areas of finance and accounting.
Harry oversees the diocese’s accounting system, investments, trust funds and banking systems and arranges insurance for all properties related to the diocese.
Harry’s family moved to Victoria in 1952 and he has been a resident of this city since. He graduated from the Certified General Accountant’s program of studies in 1972. After graduation he got engaged to and married Barbara, now his wife of 36 years.
Harry and Barbara have three children, two daughters and a son and now three grandchildren, two boys and a girl.
He worked in an accounting firm while taking the C.G.A. program of studies and as a partner for 5 years, leaving in 1978 to join the Auditor General’s Office of the Province of British Columbia. Harry moved to other positions within the Provincial Government. Over the years he performed various accounting functions with the Province, became involved in designing and implementing computerized financial systems as well as serving some time preparing budgets and administering various programs for the government.
Harry retired from the provincial government in December 2008 and decided to tackle the position of Diocesan Finance Officer. Why? He enjoys a job which is both challenging and interesting, and feels this position will be that.
Terry Mikkonen
Accounting & Payroll Assistant
Terry has been working in her position for 17 years and supports the Finance Officer with the administration of payroll and benefits.
Terry is also responsible for maintaining the general ledger, reconciling accounts, preparing financial statements and the administration of the Electronic Collection Plate program.
Mary Ruth Snyder
Diocesan Communications Officer
As the Editor of the Diocesan Post (DP) she is responsible for coordinating the columnists that write for the DP, arranging the special features, taking or arranged photos as well as the graphic design and layout.
As Diocesan Communications Officer in the situation where an event garners wider attention, Mary Ruth arranges communication with the secular media as needed.
Jacquie Nevins
Diocesan Archivist
Jacquie assumed the role of Diocesan Archivist in December, 2008, having first served as Reference Archivist beginning in May 2007. She is a qualified Archives Technician and Library Technician with 12 years of experience.
She is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Archives and handles reference, cataloguing, indexing and other archival tasks as time permits.
Mary Barlow, a former Diocesan Archivist, is continuing as collections manager; and David MacKay is indexing Synod Journals and other documents as a volunteer.
The Archives receives requests for access to Diocesan and parish records from the Synod Office, parishes, historians, genealogists and other researchers.
Staff will respond to e-mailed, telephoned and in-person enquiries from our patrons during those hours when the Archives is open, Mondays from 9:30 to 12:00pm & 1:00pm to 3:00 and Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Canon John Moran CMA
Planned Giving Officer
John retired as the Finance Officer of the Diocese in August 2008 and came out of retirement a month later to fill the part-time role in gift planning. John has completed the Canadian Association of Gift Planners course and is a member of the association.
Gift planning explores alternate ways of giving to the church, mostly out of our accumulated assets, and is intended to help us minimize the amount of taxes we pay, both in our lifetime and through our estate. Gift planing should always be done with forethought and should benefit both donor and Church.
As an employee of the Diocese John receives no commissions and works for the prospective donor to help in the planning of the gift. There is no cost to members of the parishes of the diocese and any recommendation made should be reviewed by your financial planner and/or your family.
John can be reached by email or by contacting him at his home at
250.656.7494 or on his cell phone at 250.686.7495.