Ray Martin
Ray began his ministry at East Zorra Mennonite Church in September of 2008 and is grateful to serve in the midst of a congregation that is striving to faithfully live out the purpose God has invited us into.
As the pastoral team leader Ray leads the pastoral team in a collaborative way. Ray enjoys building relationships and ministering to and with all the various ages of people that make us EZMC. Ray works closely with Tanya, Jean and the Care Team to offer pastoral care to the congregation. Ray also serves as the pastoral resource for the Worship and Mission Teams as we seek to give witness in our worship and mission to the way of God’s kingdom of peace, justice and love. Ray enjoys preaching and bringing the story of God to life in ways that invite us to all find our place in God’s story of life.
Prior to coming to East Zorra, Ray served as pastor at Wellesley Mennonite Church. During his time at Wellesley Ray completed his Masters of Theological Studies degree at Conrad Grebel University College. Ray enjoys opportunities to learn and grow through workshops, reading and conversations with colleagues, congregational members and friends. Currently Ray serves as a board member for Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP).
Ray is married to Susan and they are parents to three young adult children, Justin and his wife Jenna; Kyle and his wife Rebecca; Natasha and her husband Erik. Ray and Sue enjoy spending time with their children, their grandchildren Treyton and Evelynn and with their friends.
When Ray is not serving in the midst of the congregation or spending time with family and friends he enjoys reading, walking, and bicycling.
Tanya Dyck Steinmann
Tanya has been apart of the pastoral team since 2008 and feels that EZMC’s greatest gift is the way they care for one another and mobilize where there is a need.
Tanya enjoys ministering across the generations. She especially loves the energy of Sunday morning worship and is always looking for ways to minister to engage young families. Every Thursday at E Z Playgroup, Tanya enjoys building relationships with community parents and creating a safe space for their children to make friends and play together.
Tanya brings gifts of worship planning, spiritual discernment, visioning and community building. Tanya also offers pastoral care and loves to accompanying people on their journey of faith wherever they are at.
Tanya is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys backcountry adventures. Tanya is married to Don Dyck Steinmann and they are parents to one young adult and two teenage daughters: Katarina, Ruby and Johanna. They live on Grassy Flats farm where they produce their own food and care for an array of farm animals. Tanya is a is a member of the Spiritual Directors Eastern Canada and loves to guide spiritual retreats. She is a certified canoe trip guide and is currently completing a certificate in Conflict Management and Congregational Leadership. Prior to EZMC, Tanya completed her Masters of Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College and has served in a number of congregation and camp settings. Tanya is always looking for ways to go deeper and live into EZMC’s new purpose statement: Rooted in Christ, Growing Together in Faith, Extending God’s Love.
Parish Nurse Jean MacDonald
Jean was commissioned as East Zorra’s Parish Nurse in June of 2001. She was excited, unsure and honoured to be invited to walk with this congregation, as she ministers to the whole person… body, mind and spirit.
Jean gets the most satisfaction in her role when someone asks for clarification, help and/or information. During her nursing home nights, it was a standing bit of humour that “Jean always has an answer”. The unknown was whether the answer was true or just sounded good.
Seriously, Jean likes when you tell her what she can do to help you. ASK, let her know where you are feeling unsure and she will be there for you and walk with you, and together you will try to find answers.
Her family consists of husband Doug, 3 grown children… Allison in Winnipeg, Jamie also in Winnipeg, Megan who is married to Russel Schumm and niece Lydia in Toronto who joined her family in the fall of 2003.