Leadership Team 2026

Minister in Residence

Rev Beverly Brazier was born in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, the oldest of three children born to Gertie Saville Brazier and Bill Brazier. Rooted and grounded in the Precambrian Shield of Northwestern Ontario, she is even more deeply rooted and grounded in the grace of the Holy One, who has been with her through a lifetime of adventures of many kinds. Ordained to the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care by Maritime Conference in May of 1984, she has served the Church in Hunter River PEI, Parrsboro Nova Scotia, New Richmond/Grande Cascapedia Quebec, Miramichi NB, Canterbury / Debec / McKenzie Corner NB, Pool's Cove NL, Yellowknife NWT, and in Whitehorse YK. She has a passion for ministry in small communities - and for the scriptures.

She tries to be deeply attentive to the needs of the people in the place she inhabits, nurturing the church to be a centre point of peace and action.  While not exactly putting up her feet in retirement, she says that these past 2  years of "retirement" have called her to be still; to move deeply into a practice of gratitude, silence and reflection, to discern what the Spirit is up to these days and where the gaps are. She is thrilled to join with others this year , on the holy ground of Berwick. 

Exploring Faith Today

We welcome Atlantic School of Theology UCC Faculty

               Rob Fennell (Monday)

               Susan MacAlpine-Gillis (Tuesday)

               Ross Bartlett (Wednesday)

               Alyda Faber (Thursday)

               David MacLachlan (Friday)

Morningside Leader

Janice MacLean recently returned to Cape Breton where she was born and raised, and makes her home with her partner, Marilyn Burrell. The land, the waters, and the trees deepen her spirituality and shape her daily practice, alongside her ongoing learning of Gaelic. In her writing and leadership, you’ll hear Celtic notes shaped by time with the Iona Community in Scotland and a deep sense of place formed through living in Israel. Her pastoral awareness grew through serving in pastoral charges and with the former Maritime Conference.

She finds herself in a season of caregiving—learning a slower, more attentive form of service shaped by hospitality and presence. She is also host of Prayer Bench, sharing digital resources for the spiritual path—Journeying Deeper the Contemplative Way. She looks forward to Morningside as we enter the day with openness and care.

VBS Co-coordinator

Carolyn has been a Berwick camper for 36 years and lives in Hammonds Plains, NS with her husband, Randy, and their four sons. With 23 years of experience teaching students from primary to Grade 6, she is currently an Elementary Literacy Support Teacher in Halifax. Passionate about literacy, Carolyn is excited to share her love of learning with the children at Berwick Camp again this year. After several years teaching VBS children in Oxley, she’s looking forward to co-coordinating the VBS program with Laura Desprey. Outside of teaching, Carolyn enjoys cooking and baking, playing board or card games, and spending time with her family, whether at home or camping with her husband and boys.

VBS Co-coordinator

Laura Desprey is a “married-in” Berwick camper and has been coming to camp for over 15 years. She lives in Halifax, NS with her husband, Stu, and their three children. Faith has always been a constant pillar in Laura’s life. Raised in the Catholic faith, she has seen the power of God’s love show up in many ways throughout her life and has a deep passion for sharing that faith with the younger generation.

Laura is excited to be co-coordinating the VBS program with Carolyn Milne and looks forward to another meaningful and joy-filled summer at Berwick Camp.

Nicole O’Brien

Youth Co-coordinator

Jennifer Carroll (she/her) lives and works in Montreal, QC, with her teenage son and their two quirky cats. She has spent many years fostering connection and community amoung teens and youth through both United Church programs and in the community at large, including youth groups, forums and camps. With over 15 years of experience working with Montreal’s homeless population, Jennifer is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard and supported.

Educated in art and philosophy, Jennifer ultimately found her purpose in Social Work, dedicating her life to building meaningful relationships and strong, inclusive communities.

Recently, Jennifer has developed a growing passion for Indigineous advocacy and support, further deepening her commitment to justice, equity and reconciliation.

Youth Co-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.

Music Leaders

Chris and Laura Bowman are delighted to be returning to Berwick this summer to make music, along with their favourite musical collaborators, children 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 Resonance, a 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 is also a composer of choral anthems, handbell music, hymns, and liturgical songs. Laura is an elementary music specialist A lifelong lover of music, her formative years were spent making 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.Description goes here

Co-Worship Leader

Keith Hagerman has attended Berwick Camp for more than 50 summers, and has offered leadership in music, contemporary worship, Morningside, adult education, and has written a musical, Solidarity, that premiered at Berwick. Keith is looking forward to his send year as co-worship leader, teaming this year with Susan Butler-Jones. Celebrating 38 years as a UCC minister, Keith is a progressive theologian and a musician, making connections between the world and evolving spirituality, and has served congregations in Ontario and the Maritimes. Keith is father to four young women and grandfather to one, and shares his life with Nicole Langlois. They live in Kitchener, Ontario.  

Co-Worship Leader

Susan is delighted to be returning to Berwick following several years hiatus. She is looking forward to meeting new friends and renewing long-time friendships, some of which span 5 decades. She has great memories of Berwick camping first with her parents and sister, and later with her young children. More recently introducing her husband Boyd to the Berwick hemlocks. As a retired UCCan clergy - both Diaconal and Ordained - Susan continues to be involved in many facets of church life both locally and regionally. She has an active practice as a spiritual director and mentor of spiritual directors. Susan is a contemplative at heart and brings this lens to her life and ministry. She has served the church in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and PEI. Susan and Boyd retired to beautiful Prince Edward Island in 2023. Siblings in PEI, BC and Alberta, five children and eleven grandchildren from Saskatchewan to eastern Ontario keep them on the move.

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.