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Executive Director
Church Engagement Lead
Working with congregations and communities across Canada, UPRC acknowledges that we are on the traditional territories of many nations that are now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land and recognize that traditional Indigenous knowledge is worthy of honour, consideration and respect. UPRC is mindful that the lands we work on are treaty or unceded lands and that we have inherited a legacy of broken covenants. We accept our responsibility to honour all our relations in the work we do and that reconciliation will be possible when we have committed to learning about our shared past, listening to Indigenous truths, and pursuing a new and more inclusive, collaborative and respectful path towards a better future.
Before joining UPRC, Miriam served as minister for rural and urban United Church congregations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. From 2011 to 2022, she led Cochrane Street United Church in St. John’s as they repurposed their building to establish a non-profit, affordable housing and community space. Miriam has also served the church regionally and nationally including serving on the East District Executive and General Council Executive.
In 2019, Miriam saw a need for a new skill set for the future of the church, so completed an MBA in Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship to build on her BA and M.Div. Miriam is a candidate for PhD at Memorial University studying adaptive reuse of church property in Canada. Miriam shares her life with her husband, two children and their loveable furball Oreo.
WHAT’S VITAL: “I’ve never met a roadblock I couldn’t find a path around.”
A recent addition to the team, Clare brings extensive experience as a property and rental specialist. She is passionate about helping communities of faith make strategic property decisions that create meaningful and positive impact.
Before joining the team, Clare was the Director of Rental Management Services with the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) where she stewarded two large, newly renovated United Churches toward long-term ministry and financial stability. Clare continued this work as a transitional rental consultant, supporting United Churches in navigating property use and rental strategies.
Clare finds this work deeply rewarding and strives to deliver tailored solutions that meet each faith community’s unique needs. I look forward to collaborating with the UPRC leadership team to support ministries in making property related decisions that strengthen financial sustainability for long-term ministry.
WHAT’S VITAL: Understanding the deep connection church communities have to their property and approaching each one with respect, empathy, and a commitment to listening to every voice.