Minister and Staff

Gretta Vosper | Scott Kearns | Babette Oliveira| Andrea DiPede

Gretta Vosper - Minister

Gretta Vosper is the best-selling author of With or Without God: Why the way we live is more important than what we believeand Amen: What Prayer Can Mean in a World Beyond Belief.  These books are informed and inspired by her pastoral ministry at West Hill United Church, and reflect her conviction that it isn't good enough to talk about an abstract belief that has no consequences for living well in community. That is what her work at West Hill is about: promoting an environment where people, often of widely differing opinions and backgrounds, can come together and work at living well within themselves, with one another, and in right relationship with the whole world.

That means that church at West Hill looks very different. Much of what is said in done in a traditional church environment is designed to set boundaries between those on the inside and those on the outside. Gretta is committed to ensuring that the language within a church community is non-exclusive, and that people - ALL PEOPLE - have a place to ask tough questions and give free rein to their spiritual yearnings.

Gretta Vosper is also founder of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity. To learn more about Gretta, visit her website www.grettavosper.ca. 

Follow Gretta on Twitter @grettavosper. 

Annie DiPede - Office Manager

Annie joined us at West Hill in 2014 and is the friendly voice you hear answering the phone and the person who keeps things running efficiently.  She says, "I'm a mom of two great kids, we have a sweet dog Cassie, and it is my pleasure to work at West Hill!" 

Scott Kearns - Music Director

Scott is the one at right wearing the tie.  Pictured with him is his wife, Gretta, who also happens to be West Hill's minister. One of Scott's gifts is improvisation, providing graceful transitions from one part of a service to the next or offering poignant music in the background as Gretta speaks.  Another of his gifts is composition.  As West Hill moved to a more progressive approach, it found that there is a dearth of worship resources to support this transition.  Scott has responded by composing 30 pieces of music, most for worship, but some for special occasions, and he has gathered these in a collection called "The Wonder of Life."  Click on the image below to learn more or to order a copy from the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity.

Scott has an M.Div. and is in the middle of a doctoral program in theological studies at York University. When Scott isn't making music or researching theological issues, he's working as a registered social worker at a long-term care facility.

Babette Oliveira - Vocal Director (volunteer)

West Hill is blessed with an abundance of vocal talent and Babette's gift is to help bring out that talent to its fullest capacity.  With her own beautiful voice, she mentors and directs the vocal ensemble to provide music and lyrics that speak to the values of West Hill; love, justice, compassion, and hope.