Rev. DR. Mona Scrivens
Rev. Dr. Mona Scrivens has been the Lead Minister at Amberlea Church since October 2012.
Mona has a passion for every configuration of family and believes that it is through families that the church extends its reach in nurturing faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Her doctoral thesis focused on family ministry outreach and nurturing faithful disciples of Jesus Christ with special attention on pregnancy, spirituality, and the faith growth of first-time mothers.
She is a sought-after conference speaker and workshop leader and is a published author.
Mona has two adult children, Emily, and Tyler, who are both married.
Mona lives in Scarborough with her husband, Brian and their fur baby, Luna
Our Staff
Nancy Varga, Family Ministries Director
Nancy Varga has attended Amberlea Church since 2013. She is privileged to serve families and their children and youth in our church and neighbourhood.
Her desire is to come alongside families right where they are at, help them meet Jesus and support them as a family to live a life of faith.
Nancy has been married for over 30 years to her husband, Brian. She has three adult children, one son-in-law and two adorable grandchildren.
Shelly Wedge, Exceptional Families Coordinator
My name is Shelly Wedge and I am the Exceptional Family Ministry Coordinator at Amberlea Church.
Members of the congregation contact me about any needs for exceptional children or teens. This can either be for Sunday mornings or for our F.A.C.E. community group.
I am best known for dealing with all things “autism.”
I have seen God work in my life by protecting our family, being faithful in good times and trying times and by giving me children who are exceptional that make it possible for me to be able to connect with parents in similar situations.
I have seen God heal in our family. I have seen God’s love and faithfulness through many aspects of my life and even if things don’t go the way I expect or want. I know that God is one person who I can count on that will never leave my side. He loves me no matter how many mistakes I make and for that I am truly grateful.
Traci-Ann Addison
"Hello everyone, my name is Traci-Ann Addison and I am the Communications Administration Associate at Amberlea Presbyterian Church and I am happy to be part of the ministry team."The best decision I have made to date was giving my life to Christ in 2014, and I have not looked back since. It has been a life changing journey for me and I have seen God's transformational power in my life in so many ways including overcoming fear and anxiety, becoming a woman of faith and prayer and shifting from working in the corporate world to pursuing studies in Christian counselling. God has also blessed me with a dedicated husband and a wonderful son whom I love dearly.
"I have a passion for seeing marriages flourish and helping persons walk in their God-given identity and power. This passion has led me to become a life coach and to plan, host and participate in conferences and use other avenues to reach people.
"I look forward to connecting with and serving you!
"Regards,
Traci"
Our Elders…
Sheri Phillips
Hi! My name is Sheri Phillips and I am pleased to be a member of Amberlea for about twenty years attending the church with my husband, John, and children Collin and Nicole. I am also an elder of Amberlea Presbyterian Church’s Session and was the past Clerk of Session for five years.
Amberlea has always been a welcoming and nurturing congregation that helps others in their faithful journey and has definitely been there for us as family!
I grew up attending a Presbyterian church in Listowel, Ontario, going to church, singing in the choir and attending Sunday School when I was younger. However, making the commitment when I was older as a wife and mother, was a defining moment in the ownership of faith for me and my family.
My main area of responsibility at Amberlea is overseeing the church funding and events together with my fellow elders and our Reverend Dr. Mona Scrivens.
Peggy Edwards
My name is Peggy Edwards.
I have attended Amberlea Church since 1989 and have been a member for 15 years.
I am honoured to be an Elder and the Team Leader for Missions and the Women’s ministry in our Church in service to our community.
I am the person who keeps track of the Pew Cards for Visitors and keep the Church Members and Adherents Lists up to date.
I also schedule the volunteers who welcome attendees at the door for Worship on Sunday.
My faith gives my life purpose and guides me every day.
I know that the Spirit of God lives in me and that His eyes are on me always.
My life has been filled with blessings because of the goodness of God, in his provision and protection.
I believe I am blessed to be a blessing. His Word and promises strengthen and encourage me to show love, build others up and share hope in our community and elsewhere, far and wide.
Chris MacMillan
Property Committee
- Responsible for the maintenance of the physical property and building, repairs and upkeep.
- Also some administration of the use of church facilities by groups from the congregation and the community.
Amberlea attendee since 2000.
I am also a member of the worship team band.
We are here to bring God's love to the community. Without faith, there can be no hope. Without hope there can only be depair.
Greg Watson
Hi, I'm Greg Watson. I am an elder here at Amberlea. I have been coming to Amberlea since back in the last century.
So... Elders are old people in the church...
No... Elders don't have to be old. Elders are the leaders of the church who meet as "Session."
"Session" is the group of volunteers who manage Sunday worship, the ministries of the church, and keep the building operating.
What would I call you for?
You would call me if you needed something posted to the website and/or included in our weekly email newsletter, "Dateline Amberlea." In particular, you would call me if you need and announcement or a registration form created... or (horrors!) you find something that is incorrect or not working.
In particular, I am the person at the email address, "info@amberleachurch.ca"
If I ask around, what would people say you are best known for?
I am best known for fussy technical back-office stuff. In addition to the website, I also manage the office computer and software like Quickbooks, our accounting application.
So... If you have an event you would like posted on our website and/or sent out in our weekly email, you can contact me at info@amberleachurch.ca
Similarly... if you are working on an event, and the church computer or webapp is not working right... you can also contact me.
All sounds very functional... How have you seen God in your life?
I have always felt the presence of God in my life, but particularly in 2015.
In 2015, I took early retirement from HP as part of a massive downsizing. HP retired or laid off 80,000 people who had been part of EDS... the data centre management company EDS had acquired... of whom I was one.
In the midst of this turmoil, I prayed every day for two years, "God, grant me the wisdom to see your path, and the courage to follow it."
Today, I am working in church administration for two churches... in addition to being an elder at Amberlea. I have found that the best way through any challenge in life really is to focus on God's path.
Maxene Henry
I have been attending Amberlea Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. I cherish my church family, and I am committed to faithfully serve God, as He leads. I am focused on doing all that I can to contribute to the well-being and growth of the congregation.
I am passionate about uplifting the homeless, the marginalized, the lonely and children who are less fortunate. The Bible clearly states Jesus' command to us re Matthew 25:40, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
I strive to trust in the Lord with all my heart and I know He will direct my path. As such, in obedience, I answered the call to be an elder in service to him.
...Maxene
Amberlea
What is Amberlea about?
Welcome to Amberlea. If you are visiting with us for the first time we hope you sense the presence of God in this place. We are a community of believers who love God, love our neighbour, and desire to share the hope of the risen Christ with the world.
We are a church for everyone…
During each service, we sing, hear a message (includes Bible reading), and pray. The projector will show each step on the screen.
Our praise bands play diverse types of music.
Children are invited to join their families for the opening of the of the 11:00 worship service and leave for the Kidzone Program (ages 3-11) following the KidZone moment.
After service, join us in the lower hall for light refreshments.
What will I see in a typical worship service?
Typically, our worship service includes the elements listed below. We have a praise band that includes guitars, drums and keyboard; we do not have an organ.
Gathering Song
Welcome & Call to Worship
Praising with our Voices
KidZone Moment
Ministry Moment & Announcements
Praising with our Voices
Prayer of Intercession
--- Message (includes Bible reading) ---
Responding with our Gifts (Offering)
Gathering at the Table (Communion on the 1st Sunday of each month)
Praising with our Voices
Blessing
--- Join us for light refreshments downstairs after service ---
--- Pick up your children downstairs ---
How can I participate in Amberlea Church life?
See our weekly electronic email, “Dateline Amberlea”, and visit our website for details on the following activities:
Weekly Activities
KidZone & Nursery
Adult Life Groups
Prayer
Annual Activities
Mar-Apr: Easter Special Events
Jul-Aug: Summer Camps
Nov: Samaritan's Purse Shoe Boxes, Bazaar
Dec: Advent & Christmas special events
What is a "Presbyterian"?
Wikipedia: Presbyterianism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that adheres to the Calvinist theological tradition and whose congregations are organized according to a Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ. Presbyterianism originated primarily in Scotland. Scotland ensured Presbyterian "church government" in the Acts of Union in 1707 which created the kingdom of Great Britain. In fact, most Presbyterians found in England can trace a Scottish connection, and the Presbyterian denomination was also taken to North America mostly by Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants. The Presbyterian denominations in Scotland hold to the theology of Calvin and his immediate successors.
Modern Presbyterianism traces its institutional roots back to the Scottish Reformation. Local congregations are governed by Sessions made up of representatives of the congregation, a conciliar approach which is found at other levels of decision-making (Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly). There are no bishops in Presbyterianism in Canada.
The office of elder is another distinctive mark of Presbyterianism: these are specially ordained non-clergy called ruling elders and ministers of Word and Sacrament called teaching elders who take part in local pastoral care and decision making at all levels. In some congregations active elders serve a three-year term that is renewable for a second three-year term and then rotate off for at least a year. The offices of pastor and elder commence with ordination; once a person is ordained, he/she holds that title for life.
The roots of Presbyterianism lie in the European Reformation of the 16th century, with the example of John Calvin's Geneva being particularly influential. Most Reformed churches who trace their history back to Scotland are either Presbyterian or Congregationalist in government. In the twentieth century, some Presbyterians played an important role in the Ecumenical Movement, including the World Council of Churches. Many Presbyterian denominations have found ways of working together with other Reformed denominations and Christians of other traditions, especially in the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Some Presbyterian churches have entered into unions with other churches, such as Congregationalists, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists.