Our Staff
Heather joined the staff of Cummer Avenue United Church in October, 2014, having spent over 20 years working in various human resources roles for a large financial services company. She brings a wealth of organizational and people skills, and a passion for the United Church of Canada. Feel free to contact Heather with any questions about the church, including rental of our facilities. If she doesn't know the answer, she likely knows someone who does.
Heather Miller
Church Administrator
office@cummeravenueuc.ca
Taylor Sullivan
Music Director
taylorsullivan@yahoo.com
Taylor Sullivan studied at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Taylor has served as a church musician for over 25 years. He has been the Director of Music Ministries at Cummer Avenue United Church since 1992. Under his leadership, a strong music program continues, one that embraces songs from all around the world and features a wide variety of styles and genres of music.
Taylor is also the Music Director for the Taiwanese United Church in Toronto, which holds services at 53 Cummer Avenue Sunday afternoon. Taylor leads the youth & junior choirs and provides musical leadership on the organ and piano.
Throughout his career, Taylor has endeavored to offer audiences musical programs that are well balanced and of high musical standards. No matter the venue, Taylor brings experience and passion to inspire audiences both at home and abroad.
Karen Shea
Congregational Care Minister
kshea@cummeravenueuc.ca
Karen has an undergraduate degree from St. Michael’s College at Univ. of Toronto, a graduate degree in Pastoral Ministry and Theology from St. Paul’s Univ. in Ottawa, and training in Spiritual Direction from the C.N.D. Center for Spiritual Growth in Ottawa. As well, she has a Diploma in Horticulture from the Univ. of Guelph, specializing in Landscape Design and Therapeutic Horticulture.
She lived in Alberta for several years, working as a Lay Chaplain at St. Joseph’s College, Univ. of Alberta, and as the Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Edmonton. She has managed her own small business called The Blooms of Joy Project, aimed at offering opportunities for employment for those with an intellectual disability.
Karen is passionate about nature and the outdoors, being constantly amazed and humbled with in the presence of God’s holy work. She remains deeply committed to working towards supporting and caring for our global environment. People and nature are close to her heart. Having lived in a remote northern First Nations Cree community in Northern Manitoba, she was deeply touched by the kindness of the people there – and believes deeply in nurturing the sacred trust and kindness between people.
She also works part-time as Pastor of Outreach at St. Stephen’s Anglican church in Maple, loving every minute of her ministry there. She lives in Newmarket, and in her ‘spare’ time loves to knit, read, take photos and attempt the perfect Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. She also loves spending time with her favourite Golden Retriever ‘Autumn’– who is also a fan of cookies (without the chocolate)!