1. My high school didn’t teach sewing, so I’m learning to sew my own clothes as an adult! So far I’ve made a tank top, skirt, collared shirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of pants.

2. I grew up in a multi-cultural family. My mom is Canadian born to Irish & English immigrants, and my dad came to Canada from the Philippines as a young adult.

3. I hate corn (unless it’s popped!).

4. I love musicals! My first experience seeing one live was when my parents took our family to see Les Miserables at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre when I was 10.

5. I attended 7 different post-secondary institutions before finally finishing my bachelor’s degree in 2020.

 

Since I began my role at EMC, there have been many highs and lows. Lately it feels like we’ve reached a much-needed season of stability after surviving a lot of crises! With the breathing room we’ve gotten from having a full staff team and great lay leadership, we’ve been diving into questions about our identity as a church and where we feel God is leading us. It’s daunting but exciting! 

Through the shaky seasons and the stable ones, I try to hold on to who I have always felt God calling me to be—someone who creates safe spaces where people (especially young people) can find belonging and explore who God made them to be. Youth group has always been my favourite vehicle for that, but recently I’ve seen it happening in our children’s program and our new young adults group. I’m here for all of it! There’s so much joy in seeing someone new not just being welcomed at the door but finding where they fit at Emmanuel. I hope and pray that we keep getting better at shepherding people through that process of discovery!