OUR TEAM
The Bala and Port Carling United Churches are welcoming communities with dedicated volunteers who support the churches and their various community outreach activities. The in person congregations grow with the Muskoka summer residents and live streaming services through the winter keeps the community connected year round.
MEET OUR MINISTER
REVEREND CERI REES
Rev. Ceri Rees has been serving Bala and Port Carling United Churches since October 2022.
He was ordained in 2006 after completing his Master of Divinity degree at Queen’s University, Kingston, and passing the selection procedure of The United Church Of Canada. At Queen’s he also gained a certificate in Rural Ministry, which included, amongst other things, spending significant time on a dairy farm to learn more about the pressures facing our agricultural comunity. Since then he has served in a variety of rural communities of faith in Ontario.
However, he has been preaching for much longer than he’s been ordained – over 45 years, in fact – having begun as a lay preacher in the Methodist Church in England in 1978 while still in high school. As a result of this, he has led worship in more than fifty churches – ranging from a small chapel with a congregation of two to large urban churches with congregations in the hundreds.
He is also not new to Muskoka, having served an internship in MacTier and Foots Bay as part of his training.
Outside his church work, Rev. Ceri enjoys traveling to interesting places and attending live music events of many genres. He is also a rather passionate supporter of Brighton And Hove Albion.
Before he was ordained, Ceri worked in a variety of fields, including the creation of the graphics for commercial and military flight simulators, computer-based training software development, municipal government, and unemployment benefit administration.
He has two children (one currently living in England, and one in Ontario) and two grand-children.
DAN BROOKS
MUSICAL DIRECTOR, PORT CARLING UNITED
We love our music at Port Carling United! It is a focal point of our ministry and worship.
Our very accomplished Musical Director, Dan Brooks, leads a choir of 16 voices from a variety of choral backgrounds and experiences. Our repertoire ranges from traditional, contemporary and gospel music to Dan’s original compositions created for special occasions. We’re often joined by youth members of our church family to add special accompaniment or provide exceptional solo performances. The “worship team” is also always ready for something musically spontaneous to add to the warmth and friendliness of our services.
Dan periodically hosts evenings of music covering various themes including folk music, Canadian, and many other musical styles. The evenings are very casual, always with a packed house, and showcase the amazing talent of our extended church family. Each year we celebrate the Christmas season with a year-end evening of Christmas music, and a Christmas Eve service filled with heartwarming carols.
We want our music to reflect our affirmation as a diverse, caring and accepting church family where all are welcome. Our intention is to express our openness and inclusion through the diversity of our music.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
A special thank you goes out to Mike Guiry and Lou Woods for allowing us to use their beautiful photos for this website.
It Takes a Village
Thank you to our dedicated team of staff members, volunteers, helpers, musicians that contribute to making Bala Port Carling United Church such a wonderful, warm and welcoming place to be. We recognize your efforts and are truly grateful.
If you are interested in joining our community of volunteers please contact us for more information, we would love to have you!
