Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries

Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries

The Sunday School, with six hundred and fifty children enrolled in 1924, was a lively factor in the religious

education of the young people of our congregation. It commanded the services of some of our outstanding

laymen in the church. It should be noted that the Sunday School program has seen countless church members

volunteer as regular teachers throughout Metropolitan’s long history when many children and youth would

participate in meaningful programs that have enriched their spiritual lives.

Early in 1991 the congregation honoured Kay Kreitner for ten full years (January 1981-December 1991) of

devoted service to Metropolitan as Director of the Sunday School. Anne Jeffery (January 1992-June 2002)

succeeded Mrs. Kreitner, followed by Nanci Harris (Sept. 2002 to August 2007). Janet Fleet and Heather

Stevens jointly managed the Sunday School program in the fall of 2007. Then Anne Jeffery (Jan. 2008-Aug.

2008) again served briefly as Director before Janet Fleet (Sept. 2008-Aug. 2012) again taught and supervised

the Sunday School program. Janet’s role as Sunday School Director was changed from an honorarium to a

salaried position which remains to this day (2023). After Janet’s resignation, Mr. Liam Maharaj was hired as

Director of Children’s Ministries (Sept. 2012 - June 2021) and was responsible for the Children’s and Youth

ministries. When the Metropolitan community faced COVID-19 pandemic protocols and restrictions in 2020

and 2021, Liam—a passionate leader and teacher—sent lessons by email to our children and youth.

Hannah Perdu, a young elementary school teacher and musician, became the Director of Children’s and Youth

Ministries in October 2021. Jeannette Wannamaker brought a breadth of experience and knowledge to the

Children’s Ministry when she returned to assist Hannah beginning in October 2021. Jeannette taught our

children for many years when Liam was Director. The main challenges in 2021 were associated with COVID-19

pandemic provincial restrictions, and the closure of our church building in 2020 and for most of 2021. In 2022,

a growing Metropolitan community of children were again provided with in-person spiritual guidance and

Sunday School programming.

After many years of volunteers leading Met United’s youth program, a new position of Staff Associate for

Youth Ministries was undertaken in August 1989 by Mr. Dwight Ozard. Much is written about Mr. Ozard’s

service to Met United in Metropolitan’s published history, On This Corner … 1896 ~ 1996. In August 1992, Mr.

Ozard moved on to work and study at Eastern College and Theological Seminary in St. David’s, Pennsylvania.

In August 1992, Neil McGillivray joined Metropolitan as Staff Associate for Youth and Young Adults. He built on

the foundation established by Mr. Ozard. In August 1995, after 3 years of dedicated leadership, Mr.

McGillivary left his position to serve as Youth Pastor at Forward Baptist Church in Cambridge, Ontario.

Metropolitan had to make unfortunate financial cuts and reduced the youth ministry position to part-time.

Since 1996 our Youth Ministry has been led by John Mitchell, Beth Giuliano, Julia Morden, Pam Switzer,

Valerie Young, Brad Johnson, Ben Laskey, Holly McClymont, Gail Perry, Danielle Oliphant, and Steve Greene.

On May 16, 2022, Marilyn Arthur began her appointment as Youth and Young Adult Minister. She is growing

our programs for high school youth and young adults at First-St. Andrew’s United Church, Siloam United

Church, and Metropolitan, and sharing her faith-based ministry across the three churches.