Faces of Faith

Maggie McGregor, Acting Administrative Assistant

Shara Benavidez, Church School Coordinator

Diana Veenstra, Church Manager

Daniel Bickle, Music Director

Daniel Bickle holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Toronto where he studied organ with Douglas Bodle, Music Director Emeritus at St. Andrew’s Church. He also has a graduate degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois. For many years he was Head of Music at Branksome Hall where his choirs won numerous awards in festivals and competitions, performing widely in the United States and in England.

Following eighteen years at Branksome Hall, he moved into administration in the Toronto District School Board, retiring as a Principal in June 2010. He is presently Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Church where he plays for public services, conducts two choirs, and oversees the Life & Music Program. He is also pursuing his musical interests as a choral accompanist and as a collaborative pianist.

Please feel free to connect with Dan at daniel.bickle006@sympatico.ca

Rev. Dr. Robert N. Faris, Associate Minister

Bob came to serve as Associate Minister at St. Andrew’s in May 2011. Previous to this he had been the Executive Director of the Churches’ Council on Theological Education in Canada and had also served as the Coordinator of the Canadian Churches’ Forum for Global Ministries from 1995 to 2003. From 1988 to 1994, Bob was appointed by the Presbyterian Church in Canada to teach at Ricatla Seminary in Mozambique. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Knox College in 1983, a Master of Theology degree from the Edinburgh University in 1987 and a Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town in 2007. His doctoral dissertation focused on the Protestant churches in Mozambique and the liberation struggle. In 2014, his dissertation was published as “Liberating Mission in Mozambique: Faith and Revolution in the Life of Eduardo Mondlane”.

In addition to working ecumenically for most of his ministry, Bob has served the wider church in many different capacities. He has been Convener of the E.H. Johnson Memorial Fund and the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee. He was a delegate to the Uniting General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2010 and has been part of a North American working group on the WCRC Accra Confession, “Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth???. He has served as adjunct staff at Knox College. In 2011, he was part of the Moderator’s tour to Israel and Palestine in response to the Kairos Palestine Document. Bob’s focus at St. Andrew’s is on adult education and community outreach.

Please feel free to connect with Bob at b.faris@standrewstoronto.org

Rev. Dr. William Ingram, Senior Minister

Will was inducted as the Senior Minister at St. Andrew’s in September 2007. Prior to serving at St. Andrew’s, he served as the minister of Morningside-High Park (MHP), Toronto, after graduating from Knox College with a Master’s of Divinity degree in 1996. He subsequently completed a Master’s of Theology degree from the University of Toronto in Biblical Studies; and completed his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree, in 2017, at McCormick Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago.

His greatest joy, however, is the time that he spends with his three kids — Kate, Madeline and Spencer.

In addition to his congregational responsibilities, Will has been active in a variety of ministries and organizations, including the Boards of Directors of Evangel Hall and Portland Place; the PCC Evangelism Advisory Group; the PCC Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee; the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches; the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy for Corrections Services Canada; and the planning committee for the annual Ontario Prayer Breakfast. From 2004-2005, he served as the Moderator of the Presbytery of West Toronto; in 2011, he served as the Moderator of the Presbytery of East Toronto; and from 2006 – 2013, he served as a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.

Aside from his work in the church, his interests include reading, playing guitar, cooking, motorcycle riding, travelling, enjoying time with his kids, marathon running, sailing, and spending time camping and canoeing.

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Judy Neal, Adminstrative Assistant

Judy joined the staff of St. Andrew’s in 2006, and provides administrative assistance to our ministers, the Director of Music, the Clerk of Session and the Convener of the Board of Managers. She also works closely with our Church Manager, Thomas Guillot, and assists with a variety of projects and events. She is also a key liaison for weddings, baptisms and funerals. She brings to her position at St. Andrew’s an extensive background in administration and management in social services, and well-developed organizational skills.

Judy cares deeply about the people of St. Andrew’s, including members, adherents, visitors, volunteers and program participants, and provides a warm greeting to everyone who contacts her. Please don’t hesitate to call her if you have any questions about our services or events.

Please feel free to connect with Judy at JNeal@standrewstoronto.org

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