Min-Goo Kang, Minister

I was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), a church which has been in partnership with the United Church of Canada since 1925.

The Presbyterian denomination inspired my ongoing concern for social justice but my faith journey has now led me beyond it.

I developed my spiritual life at the Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School in Seoul. During my training there, as well as on mission trips to Kazakhstan, I experienced the transforming power of God's spirit.

Those experiences moved me to study mysticism, especially Meister Eckhart's theology and his thoughts about what he called "the divine spark" and "breakthrough". I began to look more deeply into other religions, particularly Taoism. I found God's spirit and God's work as much in the Taoist as the Christian tradition.

I have found it hopeful and exciting to live in Canada, and to work within the United Church. My experiences in Korea and Canada, together with my new identity as an ethnic minority person, have helped me understand the opportunities and challenges ministries face today.

I have been through many changes in my life and I hope my experiences can be used in my ministry here in Ladysmith to help people be unafraid to be changed, especially since we live in Canada, such a diverse community.

I am grateful to those who have been supportive of me in my faith journey, especially for my wife, Ha Na, and my son, Peace.

Miriam (Mimi) Zuyderduyn , Administrative Assistant

I was born in Haida Gwaii; grew up in rural B.C. United Churches; educated in B.C. and University of Waterloo ( B.A.) in Ontario; and delighted to be here at Ladysmith First United.

I am married to Dick and we share children, grand-daughters, a new puppy and a new home.

I am in the office Tuesday through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. keeping tabs on all the goings on at the church.

Hope Leith, Choir Director

Hope has been involved with church music since early childhood, studying piano and violin and taking part in school, church and university choirs.

She tries to bring joy and a sense of worship to choir practices and services.

Linda Crane, Organist

Linda has been in Ladysmith area since 1977, after she married Stephen, a teacher in Cowichan district (retired). She has a B.Sc. in Biology and had been a botanical illustrator for museums and herbariums in Ottawa. The Cranes have two girls who grew up in Ladysmith and now live in Vancouver.

Linda has been with First United since volunteering to substitute in a pinch in 1986. That pretty much became steady, first on organ, then accompanying the choir on piano while her family was growing up, then back to full time organist since November 1998.

Her training was through the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, working on Gr. 10 level when she graduated from high school. Her whole life has been one of association with church and concert choirs in Trail, Kimberley, Victoria, Ottawa, Duncan, and Ladysmith.

She continues to enjoy accompanying our senior choir for congregational worship and at the annual Choir Fest in early December. When she isn't playing for the church, she teaches and encourages young beginners with their piano lessons out of her home studio. She considers making music at First United is a privilege because of a very receptive minister and congregation who like to sing, a collection of talented musicians, and an enthusiastic choir director Hope Leith and senior choir. One of her favourite things is the hand instrument accompaniment the children play on Sunday and their new venture as a choir under Jane Saunders.

Theresa Kinal, Custodian

I was born in Saskatoon, Sask and moved to B.C. in the late 80's. I have 3 grown children, 2 dogs and a few birds, including a parrot. I started as custodian Nov. 1st 2010.