Reverend Neil McEwen

In 2005, Reverend Neil McEwen arrived to begin sharing ministry with the congregations of the LaHave New Dublin Pastoral Charge (at that time there were two congregations: West Dublin United and West Side United.) After spending five years in rural Saskatchewan on his settlement charge (the location where he was placed following his Ordination in 2000) he knew it was time to be closer to family in New Brunswick and the Spirit worked her mysterious wonders and guided him to Lunenburg County. Neil grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Sussex, New Brunswick, where most of his family still resides. His parents instilled within him the important values of family, faith, community and the joy of creation. Those early life-forming values continue to inspire him as he shares his life and ministry with his husband, Philip, and with his supportive Community of Faith at West Side United in Pentz, NS. In those moments when Neil steps out of his role as “Minister,” he enjoys sharing life with Philip; they also enjoy their gardens, cooking/baking and transforming fruits and vegetables into bottled treats to be enjoyed over the winter months and for gift-giving. Always willing to give the Spirit room to move and wiggle in his heart, mind and ministry, Neil is prepared to see where (and how) the path of sharing time and ministry with the people of Bridgewater United will lead. Please contact Reverend Neil by email at westsideunitedchurch@gmail.com or through the Private Ministers’ Line at (902) 543-6854.

Trusting in the presence of the Spirit, we move forward with hope and openness.

Reverend Hans van Nie

We welcome Reverend Hans van Nie as our Temporary 50% Supply Minister. Hans is a retired United Church minister currently living in Lunenburg. He began his ministry in Nova Scotia during the 1980’s serving as the founding minister of Orchard Valley United Church in New Minas and as a part-time professor of Scripture Studies at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. For the next 30 years, Hans served congregations in Hamilton and Toronto, while also participating in many Regional and General Council activities. Hans is looking forward very much to working with the congregation of Bridgewater United Church in a part-time supply ministry for the next several months. Please contact Reverend Hans by email at hans@bridgewaterunited.ca or through the Private Ministers’ Line at (902) 543-6854.

Tracy Rafuse

Tracy has been our friendly and efficient Office Administrator since 2008. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from the Jane Norman College. She enjoys greeting the many people that are in and out of her Office throughout the week. The Church Office is open from 10:00am to 12:30pm, Tuesday to Friday. Deadline for church bulletin announcements is 9:00am Thursday morning.

Walter Delahunt

Walter Delahunt is an artist of broad and distinguished experience. His career has taken him throughout Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. His musicianship is characterised by tremendous technical command of the instrument, unique sound quality, ease in chamber music, solo playing and accompanying. He has played with some of the world's greatest musicians, including Zara Nelsova, Daniel Hope, Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich and the legendary violinist, Ida Haendel. He was a professor at the Vienna Academy of Music and has recorded for Panton (Prague) and BMG Japan. He was the Organist and Choir Director at Wolfville Baptist Church, Central United Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and St Matthew's and Knox Presbyterian Churches. His educational background is a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto.

Suzanne Jermey

Suzanne is our amazing custodian that keeps our building, as well as the Bridgewater Day Care Centre, safe and clean for all to use. Suzanne lives in the Wildcat Community. She is married to John, and has a daughter, Sarah and a grandson, Zachary. She also has a stepson, Chris. Suzanne is originally from Woods Harbour. She likes camping and travelling. They have travelled all over Canada and all the East Coast of the U.S. Suzanne likes painting and doing arts and crafts, and hopes to travel to Europe in the future.