Rector
The Reverend Molly Finlay
Email: rector@stjohnsnorway.com
Molly was called to serve St. John’s Norway in 2020, and it has been her great joy to discover with the parish all that God is doing in our midst! Ordained in 2017, Molly served as Associate Priest at Christ Church Deer Park and Assistant Curate at All Saints’ Whitby. In all of her appointments, Molly has 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 has a Masters Degree in English Literature from King’s College, London and a Divinity Degree from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Molly is married to Sam Robinson and has two teenaged daughters, Georgia and Elle.
Assistant Curate & Youth Minister
The Reverend Yohan Dumpala
Email: curate@stjohnsnorway.com
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.
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 recently completed the Service Playing Certificate from the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). Currently, she is continuing her organ studies with organist Matthew Boutda working towards the RCCO Colleague Diploma.
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.
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.
Cara also works part-time at a boutique accounting firm which specializes in the entertainment industry.
Children’s Ministry
Bridget Brain
Email: children@stjohnsnorway.com
Bridget Brain loves to see how God is at work, especially in the lives of children. Having over a decade of experience working with children and teens, Bridget knows that God calls to us and draws us closer no matter what age we are.
Bridget graduated from Wycliffe College in 2020 with an M.Div, where she excelled in their courses “Counselling Adolescents and Families” and “Children, Youth, and Family Ministry.”
Bridget is also a fine artist, having an H.B.A. from U of T in Art and Art History where she specialized in painting a drawing. Bridget loves the arts, and sees their value in life and faith.
Bridget and Michael Brain, a PhD candidate at Wycliffe College, were married last year and look forward to celebrating their first anniversary together in June.
Bridget is excited for all the God is doing and will do at St. John’s, especially in the children’s ministry!
Parish Administrator
Edward Cockerton
Email: admin@stjohnsnorway.com
Edward Cockerton is an administrator, educator, music 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. He is currently the Music Director at St. Nicholas Birch Cliff. In addition to teaching music privately in the GTA, he works as an accompanist for the National Ballet of Canada.