Priest-in-Charge
The Reverend Molly Finlay
Email: rector@stjohnsnorway.com
Molly is thrilled to be joining St. John’s Norway and to discover with the parish all that God has in store for us in the years ahead! Ordained in 2017, Molly served as Associate Priest at Christ Church Deer Park and Assistant Curate at All Saints’ Whitby. In her previous appointments, Molly launched discipleship and outreach programs, as well as new forms of worship aimed at reaching newcomers. Prior to ordination, Molly enjoyed a career in television journalism later serving as a senior advisor to both Cabinet Ministers and the Premier of Ontario. She has extensive communications experience in the private and not for profit sectors. As an active layperson Molly volunteered at the All Saints’ Sherbourne drop-in for several years, was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada’s Resources for Mission Committee, served as a lay reader, small group leader and Trustee at St. Paul’s Bloor Street and is an Associate of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine. She is married to Sam Robinson and has two daughters, Georgia and Elle.
Assistant Curate
The Reverend Benjamin Gillard
Email: curate@stjohnsnorway.com
Benjamin joined St. John the Baptist, Norway, in May of 2019 as the Assistant Curate and is cross-appointed to the parish of St. Monica. He was ordained a deacon in 2019 at St. James Cathedral and a priest in 2020 at St John’s, Norway.
Benjamin is passionate about bringing to life the Good News and nurturing Christian discipleship through small group learning, spiritual direction, and outreach ministries that bridge with the local community. He is excited to be working with the lay leadership team at St. John’s to animate ministries and programming for families and young adults.
Benjamin grew up in the Diocese of Huron. He studied political science at the University of Toronto, during which time he was active in student politics and served as President of the Association for Political Science Students. After working in finance, he returned to Trinity College to study theology and was a Junior Fellow of Massey College where he served as the Don of Hall in 2017-2018. He served as the Lay Pastoral Associate at the Church of the Incarnation in North Toronto, as well as the summer Lay Incumbent of St. Christopher’s, McGregor Bay, in the Diocese of Algoma. He completed field placements at the churches of St. Magdalene and the Redeemer on Bloor St.
Director of Music
Cara Halpin, BMus, BEd, MMus
Email: music@stjohnsnorway.com
A passionate musician, educator and collaborator, Cara Halpin believes in the enriching experience of sacred music, both in traditional and contemporary settings. After starting music lessons at the age of four, Cara studied piano with Canadian composer Ruth Watson Henderson before completing her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Western Ontario, where she was awarded the St. John’s Music Scholarship. Cara continued her studies at the University of Toronto obtaining a Masters in Music degree in music education and choral literature. She’s currently completing her Service Playing Certificate from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), continuing her organ studies with church organist Matthew Boutda.
She has sung in numerous choirs throughout her career, starting as a young chorister in the Toronto Children’s Chorus, to singing more recently with The Toronto Classical Singers and the Oriana Women’s Choir. She was the Assistant Conductor of an intergenerational English Handbell Choir (Kingsway Baptist Church) which recorded a Christmas music CD, a proud professional accomplishment. She’s been blessed to have participated on many international tours with the Toronto Children’s Chorus, both as a chorister and chaperone to many international countries including Russia, Finland, USA, England, Australia and New Zealand.
For many years, Cara was the music teacher at Blythwood Public School in the TDSB, conducting both the children and youth choirs, who performed annually at music festivals across the city. She’s an accomplished piano, music theory and choral pedagogy teacher.
Most recently, Cara worked at Christ Church Deer Park in Toronto. She was at the ground level to shape the musical liturgy for a new service aimed at attracting newcomers, which subsequently grew the congregation significantly.
Coming Soon! Postulant & Youth Minister
Yohan Dumpala
Yohan is a 2nd Year Master of Divinity student at Trinity College, Head of Divinity, a Postulant in the Diocese of Toronto, and has been serving in various capacities in Parish Ministry since 2010. He is an avid musician, photographer, and videographer, and is a big supporter of new creative forms of ministry. As a volunteer Tech Mentor at the Diocese of Toronto, he serves as a valuable resource to all who require guidance in ensuring Church services and ministries endure in a virtual space.
As a vocal advocate of Anti-Racism, he has been chosen to be one of the facilitators of the Diocese of Toronto’s upcoming Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism training for Clergy and Lay leaders, which aims to make all parishes truly inclusive spaces. He is absolutely thrilled to be joining St. John’s Norway in the Fall of 2021 and looks forward to working closely with The Rev. Molly Finlay and lay leaders in spreading Christ’s message of love, to all.
Parish Administrator
Edward Cockerton
Email: admin@stjohnsnorway.com
Edward Cockerton is an administrator, music educator, musical theatre director and accompanist. He is a graduate from the Red Deer College Music program with a Diploma in Voice and Piano. Edward has worked with St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church and Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto in traditional and contemporary services as a pianist on and off for 5 years and currently works as the Music Director of Caledon East United Church.
In addition to teaching music privately in the GTA, he owned a musical theatre school called Stagecoach Peterborough for 4.5 years and worked as an accompanist for the National Ballet of Canada before transitioning into his current role as Administrator at St. John’s Norway.