Staff Team
Ted Grady (He/Him)
Lead Minister
Ted is the lead minister at Runnymede United Church. He has been at Runnymede since September of 2020 and is still getting to know the congregation and community as we are able to move around more and gather in person. He takes great joy from preparing and leading worship. He enjoys being a part of mid-week groups and visiting folks at home and in hospital. Prior to being called to Runnymede he was in Sutton, Ontario for eight years at Knox United. It has been fun to rediscover the energy of Toronto moving back to the West End where he grew up. He is excited to be a part of a very talented staff team and as team lead, encourage and support his colleagues as they serve Runnymede United together. In his personal time, he plays bass with the Grady Brothers band, cheers for the Leafs and enjoys time with family and friends.
Fun Fact: Ted’s Golden Retriever Zach is a regular companion and comes with him to the church quite often.
Laura Gallagher-Doucette (She/They)
Engagement and Growth Minister
engagegrowth@runnymedeunited.org
Laura is the Engagement and Growth Minister at Runnymede United. She supports the many wonderful initiatives of this flourishing congregation. Their focus is on outreach and in-reach; Laura seeks to help build connections between Runnymede United and broader community, while also deepening engagement and connection within the congregation. This work is fulfilling and exciting to Laura – it is an honour to help discern and direct Runnymede’s callings and energy. She is actively engaged on the church’s social media accounts, committees and small groups, and worship leadership. They are a candidate for ordination in the United Church of Canada. Laura uses she/her and they/them pronouns interchangeably; you are welcome to refer to Laura using whichever pronouns you like.
Fun Fact: Laura is an avid birdwatcher (or “birder”).
Brooke Richards (She/Her)
Brooke Richards joined Runnymede in December 2023 as our interim Family Outreach and Christian Eduation Coordinator.
Ellen Toompuu is on leave, as of August 2023.
David Ambrose (He/Him)
Director of Music
David has served as the Director of Music at Runnymede United since 2005, in charge of overall music programming and conducting the Chancel Choir. He also works with the four paid section leads and runs our ad hoc Kids Choir several times a year. David also initiated the Runnymede Kenya Youth program, leading more than 50 youth over four trips to Kenya to learn more about our world and the work of our global partners in Africa. During the week, David teaches in the Music Theatre department at Etobicoke School of the Arts and also serves as Artistic Director for Mississauga Festival Family of Choirs, a large organization comprised of four singing ensembles. He has served on several national committees for the United Church of Canada and led music and worship at many regional and General Council meetings.
Fun fact: David is a long-time tennis fan who spent part of a year off from teaching to travel to the four Grand Slam tournaments in Australia, France, UK and US.
Carl Steinhauser (He/Him)
Organist
Carl is the organist at Runnymede United. He began playing for church and community choirs while growing up in Milton and went on to get a Bachelor of Music from Western University and an ARCT in Piano Performance. He joined Runnymede United Church as organist in 2016, where his role involves preparing organ repertoire, accompanying choir rehearsals, collaborating with soloists, and leading hymns. Outside of RUC, Carl is accompanist for Etobicoke Centennial Choir and Mississauga Festival Choir and does frequent collaborative work with the Toronto District School Board.
Fun Fact: In his free time, Carl enjoys biking in the city and visiting used bookstores.
Eva Havill (She/Her)
Office Administrator
Eva is Runnymede United's office administrator. Eva's role includes acting as a point of contact for those who wish to contact the church, booking rentals of the church building, and facilitating communication within the congregation, including creating the weekly bulletin and email announcements. In this job, she never knows what a day will bring, but what she likes best is the people she meets—from parishioners to couples looking for a wedding venue to groups renting our rooms to movie location scouts. She loves talking to them, figuring out how Runnymede can help them, and extending Runnymede United Church into our community.
Fun Fact: Eva joined the office at Runnymede after participating in Christmas and Easter choirs at the church.
Jim Lien (He/Him)
Facilities & IT Manager
Jim is the full-time weekday custodian for Runnymede United. He deals with the day-to-day needs of the church building and property. He is also the church "computer person" supporting as system administrator for the Information Technology systems for the staff and congregation. He has been kept busy with Runnymede's growing and evolving online social media presence including in-person/YouTube Live Stream online video worship on Sunday mornings. He, his wife, Brenda, and both "kids" are members at Runnymede and often are involved in volunteer roles. Jim is also a Scouter on the group committee with the 85th Toronto (Old Mill) Scout Group hosted here at Runnymede for the last 96 years or so. One volunteer role he is glad to have been on is the Affirming Ministry committee. Jim enjoys being physically active around the big church building and property, taking care of the staff and rental tenants' needs.
Fun fact: Jim lives nearby in the neighbourhood. His 5-minute commute (walk) to work is only slowed by navigating the many baby strollers on the sidewalk with their parents/caregivers.