I am pleased to share that Lauren Odile Pinkney has been hired as the Children, Youth & Families minister effective September 1.
Lauren comes to the Cathedral with more than 10 years experience working with children and youth in church and other settings.
Lauren and her husband Jonathan moved to Vancouver in 2013. Lauren came to Vancouver with a BA in Christian Youth Work from Chester University in the UK and earned a Master's from Vancouver School of Theology in Public and Pastoral Leadership.
Lauren has worked in children's and youth work including youth drop-ins, children's summer camps, work with youth with alternate needs, prison chaplaincy, regional and national youth councils as well as having worked for four years as an outreach worker on the Downtown Eastside.
Lauren will be leaving her position at the Diocese of New Westminster as the Administrative Assistant and Screening in Faith Facilitator as well as her seven year position as youth leader at St. Alban's in Burnaby. Though she will miss her youth and the wonderful congregation at St. Alban’s, she is so excited to join the team at Christ Church Cathedral. The staff and clergy at the Cathedral are excited to have Lauren bring her deep passion for this work as well as her pastoral and creative skills to serve the whole community.
While Lauren’s position as Children, Youth & Families minister officially begins September 1, Lauren will join the Cathedral staff on July 1 and will serve as an interim assistant to the Dean, providing support to other Cathedral departments as well.