Our Leadership Team
The Wardens: In the Anglican Tradition, the business of the Church is overseen by members of the Congregation, working in partnership with their priest. The Corporation (executive team) of the Church of the Apostles is comprised of 2 wardens elected by the people, and 2 wardens appointed by the rector, along with the rector. Wardens are appointed and elected at the annual meeting of Vestry held at the end of February. (This page is in the process of being updated).
Samuel Edwards LaBelle
(Rector's Warden)
Samuel joined Church of the Apostles in summer 2019 and felt welcomed immediately. Sam has had many jobs that have provided a wealth of experience throughout his life. A resident of Guelph since 1991, Sam considers this to be his home town. Sam is a Parent of 3, Grandparent of 3, pet parent to 4 dogs and 1 cat, and shares his family with his wife Tanya.
Beth Shier
(People's Warden)
Beth has lived mainly in Pembroke, Toronto and Guelph. She has been a confirmed member of the Anglican Church for 40 years, a member of congregations in all three cites and an associate of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine. She is happy at Church of the Apostles and is honoured to be part of the team serving this parish.
Audrey Conway
(Deputy Warden)
Audrey has been involved in many parishes from Montreal to Guelph. She grew up in the Anglican
Church and has experienced many different roles although has never been a warden. She joined The Church of the Apostles in the Garden with The Apostles Crafters, and followed into services once they
started up again. She is happy to be working with this team and learning as she goes along. Audrey looks forward to meeting more parishioners both at the church and through her pastoral care visits.
Deb Bowerman (Sexton) is also our thurifer who swings “the smoke” with remarkable grace, in addition to ensuring that the building is always clean and ready for company.
The Reverend Canon Fran Darlington (Honorary Assistant Priest) After life as the wife/partner of a dairy farmer/U. of G. professor/banker, and mother of two (now grandmother of four), a teaching career, and six years of full-time university and seminary studies, Fran was ordained Deacon in 1992 and Priest in 1993, for the Diocese of Niagara. As Rector or Interim Priest, she has ministered to congregations in 10 churches of our Diocese, and now enjoys a gentler pace as Honorary Assistant Priest at The Church of the Apostles (St. James & St. Matthias.)
Robert G Foote (Organist and Choir Director) has been making music at the Church of the Apostles and previously at St. James the Apostle for 50 years. His knowledge and skill with our Casavant organ and his dedication to the choir and to the people of both the St. James & the combined Parish is well known to all. His hidden talent is encouraging those who think they have no voice.
Tanya Edwards (Rental Coordinator) Inquiries about single events, or long term rental arrangements will be directed to Tanya, who will be coordinating rentals and helping everyone keep up to date about changes to our building use policies as they develop.
The Reverend Naomi Miller (Rector) is a lifelong Anglican, raised in Warkworth, Ontario where she first learned to sing and serve at the altar. Her first experience living in Guelph was while studying Microbiology, before changing career paths and earning her Master of Divinity at Trinity College. Ordained in 1999 she served in many Parishes in and around the city of Peterborough, and in the Church of the Evangelists, New Tecumseth from 2011-2019. Outside of the Parish, you might find her in the company of her husband and two children, or enjoying one of Guelph’s off-leash parks with her Shaggy Dog, Samwise.
Katherine (Kate) Nixon (she/her) - Helper Bees Facilitator
Kate Nixon is a social service worker graduate who has a deep passion for community. She is honoured to be a program facilitator for Helper Bees at the Church of the Apostles, runs an outreach program and is a strong advocate for many community members. Kate’s community involvement started at a young age volunteering at the Guelph Humane Society, Fundraising for Refugees and street outreach. She is also a harm reduction worker and is involved in awareness and education surrounding naloxone administration. Kate is excited to expand the outreach program and to deepen the impact within the Guelph community and beyond, with the core values of solidarity, respect and kindness to guide.
Joy Purdy (Office Administrator) joined our team the fall of 2022. Joy can be reached by email and respond to phone messages on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Mornings.
A long-time Parishioner and generous volunteer, Joy brings a wealth of knowledge about the people and traditions of the Church of the Apostles into the office.
Mr. John Zargi (Music Director- contemporary) has been playing a wide variety of music since he was a teenager, from rock, country, folk and celtic, with formal training from the Quebec Conservatory of Music in Montreal. He was introduced to sacred music when fellow musicians invited him to join a Contemporary Christian Choir. John joyfully leads our contemporary worship music volunteers.