Together, Pat and Karen are excited to be building something new in Blackburn Hamlet - a church where Jesus Christ is the head and cornerstone, and where everyone is welcomed into the fellowship of God's love made known in Him. Our desire is to reach the people of this area with the good news of salvation in Christ, that they would know His healing love, and so grow in love for others.
The Rev Pat Coulombe hails from the small fishing village of Bay de Verde, Newfoundland, where she was raised as the youngest of eleven children and knew the love of the most wonderful parents you can imagine.
Pat married Pierre, a member of Canada’s military, twenty-eight years ago. They are the parents of three young adults: Mark, Stephen and Bethany. Being a military family, they have lived in such places as Greenwood NS, Borden ON, Edward’s Airforce Base California, Cold Lake Alberta, Gander Nfld, and then here in Ottawa for the past sixteen years.
During this time in Ottawa, Pat studied theology, was ordained a deacon on February 2nd 2005 and was priested on May 17th 2005. Pat served as incumbent of St. James’, Leitrim, until February 25th, 2008 when she was licensed as a priest in the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC).
The Rev Karen Bergenstein has two children and three stepchildren. She recently moved to Blackburn Hamlet with her husband, John. They have just welcomed Simeon, an 18 month old puppy, into their family.
Karen has worked in computing science and teaching elementary school. She didn't anticipate going back to school, but after attending an Alpha Course in 1999 her life took a new direction and she began studying at
St. Paul Universtiy (where she became friends with Pat). After graduating in 2003, Karen worked at St. Alban's as a pastoral assistant and parish administrator. She was ordained a deacon in May 2008, and priested on January 25, 2009 by Bishop Don Harvey, Moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada.
Inviting our neighbours into the fellowship of God's love made known in Jesus
