The Reverend Karen McBride

The Reverend Karen McBride was appointed Deacon-in-Charge of the parish of Julian of Norwich on May 30, 2024.As an integral part of her studies for her Master of Divinity degree at Saint Paul University, Karen has served in several parishes in our diocese, including Church of the Ascension, the Parish of South Carleton, and St. John the Evangelist. In addition, over many years Karen was very involved in diverse aspects of lay ministry in her home parish, Christ Church Cathedral. For example, she served as lead parent for the Cathedral Girls’ Choir from 2013-2020, supported refugee sponsorship ministry at the parish level and as a member of the diocese’s Refugee Ministry Management Board, and servedon the Cathedral’s parish council with a particular responsibility for stewardship.

Prior to pursuing her call to priestly ordination, Karen had a thirty-year career in senior roles in national associations dedicated to international cooperation in education, research and innovation, and education capacity-building, including as President and CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Cooperation, and Vice-President, International Affairs at Universities Canada. In her previous academic studies, Karen obtained her Master of Arts in International Affairs at the Norman Patterson School at Carleton University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History with French at the University of Western Ontario.

Karen has a twenty-two-year-old child, Wren, who just completed their undergraduate studies at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, as well as remaining an avid and active chorister. Karen lives with her faithful dog, Lily – a Goldendoodle named after an Easter lily – and enjoys long walks with Lily, music and theatre performances, cooking, and spending special time with family and friends.

You may contact Karen at

The Reverend Deacon Elizabeth December-Lovell

The Reverend Deacon Elizabeth December-Lovell was ordained deacon in 2015. The ministry of a deacon is to act as a bridge from the gathered church community to the world, “to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world…and to show that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ” (BCP p.543). Elizabeth was born in Guyana, South America, and lived in Montreal and Toronto before settling in Ottawa, where she was a long-time member of the former parish of St Michael and All Angels. With her strong ties to the community and history of that parish, we are very fortunate to have her appointed in November, 2015, as part time Pastoral Associate in the new parish of Julian of Norwich.

Elizabeth’s current work at Julian of Norwich is to provide and coordinate Pastoral Care and Christian Education activities. Elizabeth has academic degrees in Public Administration and Arts, as well as training in Hospital Ministry. She is now completing studies towards M. Divinity at Saint Paul University, Ottawa. Elizabeth is married to Malcolm Lovell, and they have two daughters Amanda and Vanessa. You may contact Elizabeth at or by phone at 613-723-1980.

The Reverend Rob Davis

Rob went wandering twice, once between high school and university when he went to Australia, working in a large retail store and as an itinerant fruit picker while there, and the second time in 1976/77 when he traveled through west and north Africa, western Europe and Britain.

Following graduation from Carleton Rob worked at the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls and then, after his second stint of traveling, at Parkland Supply, a building supply company in Ottawa, until feeling the call to ministry which led to his return to school for an MDiv. from Huron College, London, ON, and then his ordination in 1983. Following ordination Rob served in St. Thomas the Apostle Ottawa, the Parish of Stafford, St. Paul’s Almonte, and Holy Trinity Pembroke. He was appointed Archdeacon twice, first for the Deaneries of Lanark and Arnprior, and then for the Deanery of Pembroke. Since retiring Rob has acted as Interim Priest in charge of several parishes in and around Ottawa.

Rob and Cathy were married in 1980 and they have four children, Emrys, Bronwen, Moira, and Trevor, all now away from home, living and working in Ottawa, Toronto and Barrie. Cathy herself was ordained in 2006 and has served in several parishes, both pre and post retirement.

Licensed Lay Reader Paul Dumbrille

Paul is a retired Electrical Engineer, having spent 30 years in the Canadian Navy, followed by 11 years as an Engineering Manager at a High-Tech company. He lives in Ottawa with his wife of more than 50 years, Marg, and is the father of two grown children and grandfather of one. He is a lifelong Anglican and has worshiped at Julian of Norwich Church since its beginning, and St. Richard’s before that.

Paul has a diploma in theology from Thornloe College of Laurentian University and has completed the Education for Ministry (EFM) program. In addition to being active in the life of the parish, he has been a member of the Ottawa Diocese Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP) team for over 30 years, and is currently a member of the Canadian National Executive of the AFP. Paul has led over 35 prayer workshops in the Diocese over the years and has visited and spoken to many groups about prayer.

As the parish Lay Reader, Paul’s main activities involve leading worship services as required, and training and coordinating members of the parish who volunteer to read Scripture and lead Prayers in worship Services. He also hosts a weekly online time of prayer, is an active member of the parish music ministry and is the diocesan liaison for “A Time of Prayer”.

You may contact Paul at

A Few of Our Lay Leaders

• Jillian Gauthier (Rector’s Warden, Youth Program)
• Eric Driscoll (People’s Warden, Treasurer, Rentals Coordinator, Service Assistant)
• Anna Hislop (Property Manager, Nearly New Shop, Garden Management)
• Michelle Jones (Music Director)
• Pam Middleton (Bible Curiosi-Tea, Book Nook, Online Meditation & 8am Worship Facilitator)
• Roy Bosch (Book Nook Manager)
• Marg Dumbrille, Jenny Cookson and Gayle Ascah (Meditation)
• Sue Dow (Newsletter Editor, Altar Guild)
• Rob Hindle (Altar Server)
• Barry and Nancy Craven (Givings Secretaries)
• David Dow (Website Coordinator, Service Assistant, AFP Representative)
• Stephen Lane (Facility Maintenance Coordinator)
• Dave Coderre (Fellowship Coordinator, Service Assistant, Facility Maintenance)
• Larry Parker (Facility Maintenance)
• John Brennan (10am On-Line Worship Facilitator)
• Lynn Joseph (Para Transpo Support Coordinator)
• Jenny Cookson (Lay Assistant Coordinator)
• Peter and Rosemary Anderson (Refuge Now)