Leadership Team 2024

Minister in Residence

The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne is Moderator of The United Church of Canada. She’s a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation in the Central Coast of BC, and lives in Coquitlam (a suburb of Vancouver) with her partner Mauricio and their two kids, Gabriel and Esperanza. One of Moderator Carmen’s indigenous names, Kwisa’lakw, means “Woman who travels to places far away.”  She has traveled extensively across the world in her work with the Church.  She has a PhD in interdisciplinary studies, loves learning, and cares deeply about the environment, justice, and the ways that our economy does (but most often doesn’t) work in ways that promote human prosperity for all.

Exploring Faith Today

Lori Ransom serves as a Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator with United Church of Canada and as an Indigenous Consultant to the World Council of Churches. Lori is a member of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation (near Eganville, Ontario) who has lived off-reserve for all of her life. Lori deepened her knowledge of and passion for the work of healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples after being appointed as the first Healing and Reconciliation Program Animator for The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) and later as Senior Advisor, Church and Interfaith Relations, for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Morningside Leader

Susan Reid is practiced in engaging the spiritual aspects of faith. A spiritual director and Healing Pathway practitioner, she is passionate about helping others recognize the Spirit moving in their bodies and in their lives. Her Master of Divinity was completed with a specialty in Spirituality and Wellness. During these studies she discovered the need for attention to organizational spiritual wellness. A trained facilitator, she worked in the Maritime Conference in areas of faith formation, discernment and sensitive conversations and continues to empower laypersons in the Bermuda Nova Scotia Region in the Faith Formation and Leadership Development committee. She is a Licensed Lay Worship Leader and enjoys bringing the gospel to life in the context of the congregation she serves. Susan and her husband Les live in Halifax, have been Berwick campers for over 35 years and consider themselves professional grandparents.

VBS Coordinator & Ukulele Church Leader

An Ordained Minister in The United Church of Canada, Catherine hails from Glace Bay, NS, but currently lives in Riverview, NB, serving as the Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults for the three Atlantic Regions.

A liturgical dancer, Ukulele player, singer and liturgist, Catherine loves to bring together all of these things in her ministry. She shares this adventure with her husband, The Rev. Scott Stuart and their son, Ethan. She is excited to spend any time that she can under the hemlocks!

Ukulele Church/ VBS Music

Linnea Good is a composer, performer, worship leader, accredited biblical storyteller and Christian educator. She and drummer-spouse David Jonsson live in Summerland BC, where they strike an un-balance between Linnea's local and online music teaching, and their work in concerts, conferences, missions and worship animating for the wider Church. The most fun of those ministries is the United Church Atlantic regions' "Ukulele Church" - a worshipping community that combines ukulele learning with bible telling and devotion. She and David have been blessed to travel regularly to India where they have shared in music ministry and biblical storytelling instruction with Christian leaders.

Youth Group Coordinator

Shanna Bernier (she/her) is the Program Support for First-Third Ministry in the Nakonha:ka regional council. Shanna grew up in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and has over 20 years of camping and youth work experience under her belt. Shanna trained at Bishop’s University as an art teacher, but has found her calling outside the classroom in United Church youth ministry. Before her current Regional Council position began in 2019, she worked for congregations, presbyteries and conference in various volunteer and paid youth work positions. Shanna lives in Sherbrooke QC with her husband and two awesome kids. Shanna’s many passions include baking, choral singing, coaching little kid soccer, sewing, reading chapter books out loud, and getting youth excited about social justice.

Co-Worship Leader

Allan Lynk is a minister with the Lower Musquodoboit Pastoral Charge. He was born in Cape Breton, but has spent most of his ministry in Quebec and Ontario, moving “Home” three years ago in anticipation of retiring sometime soon. Allan’s career path has been somewhat varied, he was ordained in 1980 to pastoral ministry, served churches in Quebec and Ont, then accepted a call to be Personnel Minister with the Bay of Quinte Conference, back to Pastoral ministry in Brantford, then joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a chaplain, (Basic Training at 54 years old!), Deployed to CSS Alert (North Pole) and Landstuhl, Germany. Retired from CAF and returned to Pastoral Ministry in Gravenhurst, Ont.

Allan is a strong proponent of restorative justice, inclusivity, radical hospitality and progressive theological education. Practically speaking, he has also spent a large portion of his ministry creating community-based food insecurity programs.

Co-Worship Leader

Joan resides in the Head of Chezzetcook and serves First United Church in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. Joan was Ordained by Maritime Conference in 2006. Joan is not a regular attendee of Berwick Camp but the times when she attended, she enjoyed her experiences and left camp uplifted and rejuvenated. “When I enter the gates of Berwick Camp my spirit rejoices, and I feel blessed to be a part of the wonderful Berwick Camp experiences.” Joan’s hope is that she and the Rev. Allan Lynk will Co-lead Camp Services that will praise our Creator and offer a spirit filled experience to all who attend.

Music Leaders

Chris and Laura Bowman are delighted to be returning to Berwick this summer to make music, along with their favourite musical collaborators, daughters Meredith and Erica. Chris enjoys making music as a conductor, solo and choral singer, educator, and composer. He is Minister of Music at First United Church in Truro, NS, where he works with a handbell ensemble, church choir, and a new social justice youth choir. He is also the Artistic Director of the Cantabile Choral Society, and a singer with the Juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir. Chris, along with collaborator Valerie Kingsbury, has written dozens of hymns and liturgical songs. Laura is an elementary music specialist A lifelong lover of music, her formative years were spent mak.ng music within her musical family and as a member of the Toronto Children's Chorus. Laura is a versatile musician who enjoys conducting, singing, playing several instruments, and inspiring others to love the music they are making.

Property and Grounds Staff

Karen and Preston are a vital part of our Berwick team. They put their heart and soul into working tirelessly to keep our grounds maintained from April to November, and ensure our encampments run smoothly. Their smiles are there to greet us daily at camp. We are grateful to have such dedicated staff, who are such an integral part of the Berwick family.