Soul Space Steering Committee
Community members, from within and beyond First United Church in Ottawa, form the Soul Space Steering Committee. This committee provides the infrastructure, financial accountability and administrative support necessary to ensure that Soul Space offerings are accessible, diverse, safe, welcoming and affirming for all Soul Space participants.
Brian Cornelius
Brian Cornelius has been the minister of First United Church since September of 2005. He embraces a progressive approach to spirituality, emphasizing the spiritual and social healing that was core to the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth as a prophet indigenous to his own people and land. While Brian is informed and inspired by his own faith, he appreciates the wisdom of other religions and all spiritual expressions. While his parents were both born in Canada as descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants, his own entry into this world was through the land of Kenya.
Brian Cornelius has been the minister of First United Church since September of 2005. He embraces a progressive approach to spirituality, emphasizing the spiritual and social healing that was core to the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth as a prophet indigenous to his own people and land. While Brian is informed and inspired by his own faith, he appreciates the wisdom of other religions and all spiritual expressions. While his parents were both born in Canada as descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants, his own entry into this world was through the land of Kenya.
Glenys Huws
Glenys Huws is a retired ministry leader, having worked in educational and outreach ministries of the United Church for more than 40 years. A long time advocate for social justice, particularly as it relates to the well being of women, she appreciates the opportunity to help support the Soul Space Collective and its focus on spiritual care for street health workers through her participation on the Steering Committee.
Glenys Huws is a retired ministry leader, having worked in educational and outreach ministries of the United Church for more than 40 years. A long time advocate for social justice, particularly as it relates to the well being of women, she appreciates the opportunity to help support the Soul Space Collective and its focus on spiritual care for street health workers through her participation on the Steering Committee.
Jan Armstrong
My interest in Soul Space grew from my work history as a social worker as well as an acute awareness of my privilege as a white, middle class Canadian woman. Having focused my career on mental health, violence against women, and child protection, I have experienced first-hand the challenge of balancing caring for others with caring for oneself. Vicarious traumatization, traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue are all very real and have taken their toll on my own health and well-being over the years. Following a mild traumatic brain injury in 2016 which resulted in my early retirement in 2020, I have also been on the receiving end of care as a person living with post-concussion syndrome. It is rewarding to be able to participate as a steering committee member of Soul Space and my hope is that front-line workers will feel less alone in living with what they carry every day in their hearts, minds, and souls.
My interest in Soul Space grew from my work history as a social worker as well as an acute awareness of my privilege as a white, middle class Canadian woman. Having focused my career on mental health, violence against women, and child protection, I have experienced first-hand the challenge of balancing caring for others with caring for oneself. Vicarious traumatization, traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue are all very real and have taken their toll on my own health and well-being over the years. Following a mild traumatic brain injury in 2016 which resulted in my early retirement in 2020, I have also been on the receiving end of care as a person living with post-concussion syndrome. It is rewarding to be able to participate as a steering committee member of Soul Space and my hope is that front-line workers will feel less alone in living with what they carry every day in their hearts, minds, and souls.
Paul Durber
For many years, Paul has had an interest in issues important to social equity in Ottawa, including affordable housing and support from government for those in need. Paul is a past member of “Better Ottawa”, and the Board of Directors of Centre 507 where he continues to volunteer. Paul has been active in refugee resettlement since 2005. As a practitioner of Healing Pathway, Paul has a special interest in healing and health, and has offered healing sessions at Centre 507. He engages in distance healing and giving support to those in need. Paul’s connection to First United started in 2002, when he was involved in the Citizen’s Panel on Policing and the Community, and subsequently helped found the Witness Group, to monitor the civility of policing of demonstrations.
For many years, Paul has had an interest in issues important to social equity in Ottawa, including affordable housing and support from government for those in need. Paul is a past member of “Better Ottawa”, and the Board of Directors of Centre 507 where he continues to volunteer. Paul has been active in refugee resettlement since 2005. As a practitioner of Healing Pathway, Paul has a special interest in healing and health, and has offered healing sessions at Centre 507. He engages in distance healing and giving support to those in need. Paul’s connection to First United started in 2002, when he was involved in the Citizen’s Panel on Policing and the Community, and subsequently helped found the Witness Group, to monitor the civility of policing of demonstrations.
Mary-Martha Hale
Mary-Martha is passionate about creating a just society for all and is an advocate for those who often have no voice. She is a social worker (retired) and past director of Centre 454. Outside of Centre 454, Mary-Martha aligned herself with several initiatives, including the Day Programs Coalition, the Sandy Hill Northwest Neighbourhood Improvement Group and the City of Ottawa Task Force on the Safe Streets Act and the Homeless. Mary-Martha served as chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness in 2006/2007. In that time, she and members of the Alliance were instrumental in putting forward a successful public appeal for the continuation of federal funding for homelessness. Mary-Martha retired as Executive Director of Centre 454 in June 2014, and more recently was appointed to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Refugee Ministry Panel, supporting refugee sponsorship in the Ottawa region.
Mary-Martha is passionate about creating a just society for all and is an advocate for those who often have no voice. She is a social worker (retired) and past director of Centre 454. Outside of Centre 454, Mary-Martha aligned herself with several initiatives, including the Day Programs Coalition, the Sandy Hill Northwest Neighbourhood Improvement Group and the City of Ottawa Task Force on the Safe Streets Act and the Homeless. Mary-Martha served as chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness in 2006/2007. In that time, she and members of the Alliance were instrumental in putting forward a successful public appeal for the continuation of federal funding for homelessness. Mary-Martha retired as Executive Director of Centre 454 in June 2014, and more recently was appointed to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Refugee Ministry Panel, supporting refugee sponsorship in the Ottawa region.
Lynn Fischer (Steering Committee Chair) - for more info go to the Soul Space Care Providers page
Sharon Moon- for more info go to the Soul Space Care Providers page
Danielle Rolfe - for more info go to the Soul Space Care Providers page
Sharon Moon- for more info go to the Soul Space Care Providers page
Danielle Rolfe - for more info go to the Soul Space Care Providers page
Soul Space Advisor
Harley Walker
Harley, a retired United Church minister, started the Centre for Spiritual & Ethical Development in Vancouver, B.C. twenty years ago as the Workplace Ministry Society. It was designed to be an “oasis” in the downtown business community, where people could discuss ethics or spirituality in the workplace. The Centre offered seminars, retreats and counselling. Harley has been a key advisor in creating the foundation for Soul Space, guiding its growth, and creating the name, Soul Space.
Harley, a retired United Church minister, started the Centre for Spiritual & Ethical Development in Vancouver, B.C. twenty years ago as the Workplace Ministry Society. It was designed to be an “oasis” in the downtown business community, where people could discuss ethics or spirituality in the workplace. The Centre offered seminars, retreats and counselling. Harley has been a key advisor in creating the foundation for Soul Space, guiding its growth, and creating the name, Soul Space.
