Rev. Debra Schneider came to Manor Road United Church in October of 2006.  She brings with her over 10 years of experience as an ordained minister with the United Church of Canada.  Debra has a passion for creating worship that helps us to connect our faith to our daily lives.  She has an interest in developing one’s spirituality and in unfolding the deeper messages of the gospel as a living document for our time.  Her preaching sometimes has a prophetic edge to it, and she has a knack for touching people’s hearts and lives with messages of hope and encouragement.  Debra has a heart for social justice, and often challenges us to look beyond our own spiritual and material comforts to the needs of the wider world.  She enjoys drawing upon drama, music, humour and symbol in worship. Debra has a deep respect and appreciation for people of other faith traditions. She is down to earth, and compassionate and supportive in her relationships. Nurturing a sense of community through the church, and encouraging relationships across the generations is an important focus of her work.  She sees the church as one of the few places in our society where young and old have the opportunity to come together in friendship and mutual support, and believes, as an ancient sage put it, “the Glory of God is man [or woman, or child!] fully alive.”

Debra’s first career was in social work.  She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1976, and worked for a number of years in the areas of individual, marital, and family counselling as well as in children’s services and adoptions.  Debra married Michael in 1979, and together they have raised three beautiful children.  After spending several years at home with her young family, Debra felt a call to Ministry, and in 1990 returned to school at Emmanuel College where she earned her Master’s of Divinity Degree in preparation for ordained ministry.  She was recipient of the preaching award in her graduating year, and continues to hone her skills in bringing the stories of the Bible to life, and communicating the good news to all who will listen!    

Debra looks forward to growing in faith with the people of Manor Road, and to welcoming many new people to the life of the congregation along the way.

Rev. Debra Schneider

Tel:  416-483-0695
Email:  revdebra.manorroad@rogers.com

Director of Music at Manor Road since Spring 1999, J.-C. Coolen is passionate about enhancing our congregation’s worship experience through music. On a weekly basis from September through June, J.-C. leads the choirs and congregation of Manor Road in a variety of music, intentionally selected and ordered to enliven, expand and enrich our worship of Almighty God.

Tel:  416-483-0695
Email:  

Christine has been Manor Road’s Sunday-School Co-ordinator since October 2005 and prior to that did the program at St. James-Bond United Church and at Fairlawn-Heights United Church. She is employed full-time at Grace Church on the Hill.

Tel:  416-483-0695
Email:  

Ellen is MRUC’s Church Administrator and has been working at Manor Road since 1997. She is on hand in the church office Monday to Friday to answer all of your questions, whether they are church or community related. As well as handling the day to day needs of the church and its participants, Ellen can give you information on obtaining the use of Manor Road’s facilities for your community or other events. There are many community programs housed within the building and Ellen would be happy to share the information she has or point you in the right direction. Or, if you are in need of information on baptisms, funerals, weddings or church/Sunday School programs, Ellen will be happy to answer your inquiries. Ellen may be reached by phone or email.

Tel:  416-483-0695
Email: 

Manuel is MRUC’s custodian and has been looking after its building and grounds since 1997.