Alison Falby is both the Assistant Curate at St. Nicholas and the Chaplain to the Junior School at Havergal College. Alison was born and raised in Toronto. She attended McGill University in Montreal, where she received her B.A. in History and Philosophy in 1994, and the University of Oxford in England, where she received her D.Phil. in Modern History in 2000. She returned to Ontario and taught history first at the University of Nipissing, in North Bay (1999-2002), and then at Trent University, in Peterborough (2002-2006). In 2007, she enrolled at Trinity College in the Toronto School of Theology.

While studying for her M.Div., Alison taught at Trinity as an adjunct professor and worked at All Saints Church-Community Centre in Moss Park, an outreach ministry of the Diocese of Toronto. Alison still engages in academic research and writing, and has a particular interest in the Guildhouse, a non-denominational church led by the feminist preacher Maude Royden in London, England, in the 1920s and 30s. In her spare time, Alison enjoys reading, riding her bicycle, going to the theatre, and vising her twin nephews in New York. / email » / In case of a pastoral emergency, you can reach her at her cell: 416-841-5084.

Carmine Lappano, B. Mus, B. Ed., was born and raised in Toronto. He began to study the piano in his youth, and studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music throughout his teenage years. He eventually attended the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music and completed his Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2000. Larysa Kuzmenko, Raffi Armenian, and William Wright were among the many seasoned teachers Carmine was privileged to study with.

It was at that time that Carmine began to perform with several choirs such as The Elmer Iseler Singers, The Victoria Scholars and The Mississauga Choral Society. He also sang with many church choirs, in particular as a tenor lead at St. James Cathedral in Toronto. During his studies and choral singing, Carmine was fortunate to work with numerous renowned choral and church musicians such as Lydia Adams, Jerzy Chichocki, John Tuttle, and Matthew Larkin.

After somewhat of an absence from playing the keyboard, Carmine returned to the bench in 2006 when he took on the duties of Music Director and Choir Conductor at Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church. While at Guildwood, Carmine enjoyed making music with the choir and congregation, and also organized and performed in a variety of concerts as an outreach to the Guildwood community. He retained this post until the summer of 2011.

Carmine is also an elementary school teacher, working at William G. Miller Jr. P.S. in Scarborough. He had also taught music at Jack Miner Sr. P.S. for several years. He enjoys many sports and activities, and regularly plays soccer, basketball and squash. He lives happily in Ajax with his wonderful wife Michelle, and his beautiful sons, Joseph and Samuel. Carmine is extremely pleased to join the Church of St. Nicholas Anglican, and looks forward to continuing the strong musical tradition that has been established at this juncture

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The Reverend Joan Waters-Garner, A.R.C.T., L.Th., is a retired priest of the Diocese of Toronto, having enjoyed earlier careers in the fields of Teaching and Church Music. After graduation from Wycliffe College in 1983 she completed a curacy in Trinity Church, Barrie, served for five years as Incumbent of the two historic churches of All Saints, and St. James on-the-Lines, Penetanguishene, and also assisted the area bishop as Regional Dean of Huronia. She then was appointed rector of the busy Church of St. Andrew, Scarborough, later also serving as Regional Dean of Scarborough. She also worked for a time in the women’s residence at downtown All Saints Church Community Centre.

After retirement in December 1995, Joan was invited by Prue Chambers to assist with the ministry at St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff. Over the years her responsibilities here have included regular liturgical and preaching duties, oversight of the children’s Christian Education programme, coordinating and facilitating the Adult Education programme, occasionally subbing for the organist, some pastoral care of shut-ins, and filling in for the rector’s vacation and/or sick leave. Joan served as Priest-in-Charge for Prue’s 2001 Sabbath Leave.

For the past twelve years, Joan and Bob have made St. Nicholas’ their parish home. As Associate Priest and then Honorary Assistant, Joan has been involved in various ministries within the parish and beyond. In addition to regular preaching, presiding and pastoral care here at St. Nicholas’, she is also involved with the Sisters of St. John the Divine, and she spent a number of years working at All Saints Church/Community Centre. Joan is also well respected within the Diocese as a spiritual director.

Joan’s husband Bob Garner is a very active member of St. Nicholas; their family includes his three children and two grandchildren, and her four sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Thank you to all who have welcomed me so warmly into the parish community of St Nicholas’ Birchcliff. I am delighted to have become a member of the parish.

I was born in Gander, Newfoundland, but our family moved to St. John’s after the accidental death of my father when I was seven years old. I did most of my schooling there, attending church run schools in both the United Church and Anglican School Boards (as they existed at the time). Like many young people, I strongly resisted my parents’ attempts of bringing me to Church and Sunday School. I struck a deal with my mom, that I would attend Sunday School and Confirmation classes. After I was confirmed, I would be let off the hook to attend church. However, things weren’t quite that simple. At the age of 14, I decided one Sunday to go to Church. I went alone, as my family were occasional attendees at church. It was Palm Sunday. There was no ecstatic religious experience for me, other than a feeling I belonged there. I immersed myself in church life and youth ministry in our parish of St. Mary the Virgin in St. John’s. In university, I tried many paths, eventually deciding that medicine and psychology and engineering were not for me. It was during this time that I felt a call to be a priest in the Church. I finished my undergraduate degree with lots of science courses, and ended up with a BA in religious studies. From there I attended Trinity College in Toronto, receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 1978. I returned to Newfoundland and became deacon-in-charge, and later rector of the parish of Hermitage – a rather isolated community on the South coast of Newfoundland. The parish included two other communities – Gaultois and McCallum, which to this day are only accessible by boat. The entire parish was Anglican apart from a couple of Roman Catholic families in Gaultois. It was a wonderful and happy time in my life, and I have many fond memories of the time I spent there. From there, I moved to a suburban parish in Mount Pearl (a suburb of St. John’s) and worked in the large and active parish of the Church of the Ascension. During my last year there, I prepared nearly 200 young people for confirmation. There were so many, we had to have two confirmation services. In 1984 I was invited to become the associate priest at St. Thomas’ parish in downtown Toronto. It was there that I learned to love high church liturgy, and every week we feasted on glorious music and moving rituals, which the parish is known for. From there, I moved to the Church of the Epiphany on Kennedy Road, Scarborough, and then to work at the Synod Office in Social Justice Ministries with the Community Ministries Board of the Diocese of Toronto. My heart remained in parish ministry, and I became the incumbent of St. Jude’s Wexford, where I remained until I took early retirement in 2009.

Though I loved parish ministry, there are many adventures and challenges ahead for me – I pray. I love to travel, and have been fortunate to have already seen much of the world, with several other adventures being planned. I have lived in my home in the Beaches (Kingston and Woodbine) since 1989. I live with my dog Kenny and my three cats, Alice, Eddie and Nuggett. I have lots of hobbies and interests, especially photography, travels on my Harley Davidson motorcycle, working with stained glass and working in my garden. At St Nicks, I am enjoying singing in the choir and helping wherever and whenever I am needed.

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