Our People

Rev. Ellie Barrington, M. Div – Minister

I have served happily with Trinity for eight of my ten years in ordained ministry, following a first career as a journalist and social activist. I was raised in the Roman Catholic church. During two decades away from church, I explored many different spiritual paths, until the Spirit brought me 'home' to the United Church in 1991.

My ministry is about sharing our spiritual journeys as seekers  in today's 'Emerging Christian Way’. I love to do this together through creative contemporary worship, meditation and prayer practices, social justice outreach, ongoing adult Christian learning – and this remarkable Trinity community of pastoral caring.

Christian teachers such as Marcus Borg, John Crossan, John Spong and Miriam Therese Winter help to shape my faith. I have also participated in several week-long retreats with renowned Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hahn, studied Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness meditation, attended Elizabeth Lesser's "Seeker's Guide" at the Omega Institute and followed Oprah's live online classroom with Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".

My husband, Bob Goodfellow, is my partner on the journey. My kids, Liam and Mika, are both creative and socially committed young adults now.

I look forward to getting to know you and those you call family.

Scott Auchlinleck, M.Mus – Director of Music

Trinity is a community full of musical talent! Since 2005, it has been tremendous fun for me as Music Director to work with the Choir, the T @ 9 Band and our many dedicated volunteers, to put together a great and varied musical program. Why not come out and sing, play and have fun with us?

"It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself. " ~ J.S. Bach

Andrea Hyde – Youth Leader & T@9 Co-ordinator

I have been a spiritual seeker for most of my life, but it wasn't until reading Brennan Manning's "Ragamuffin Gospel" and attending a genX church in Kingston that I felt confident that I had found a faith and a God that I could believe in and follow. It was a few years later that I joined the United Church of Canada as part of my Christian journey. I taught high school, and volunteered at my church working with children and youth until I was blessed with two beautiful children. Currently, I am the T@9 Co-ordinator and Trinity's Child and Youth Leader as a part time employee of Trinity. I am married to Andrew Hyde, Ottawa Presbytery's Youth and Young Adults minister, and together we share two of God's biggest blessings - our children, Owen who is almost four, and Lucy who will soon be two.

Suzanne Poirier – Church Administrator

I have worked contentedly at Trinity for 10 years and am happy to answer your questions, listen to your concerns and refer you to the appropriate person.

I'm in the office Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 12:00, 1:00 - 4:30 pm

Jessica Baird – Nursery Caregiver

I am a trained Early Childhood Educator and am currently in the Child Studies Program at Carleton University.

I am here to make your preschool age children cosy and comfortable in the Trinity Nursery on Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 am, while you enjoy worship at either of our celebrations. Assisted by our teens, I offer age-appropriate play and learning for babies to 4-year-olds, from September 20 through June.

I was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, with my mother, father, twin brothers and now, adopted sister. I came to Ottawa to study, but while working in the Trinity Nursery, I've also grown in my faith. I am now in discernment in the United Church of Canada to explore my future in ministry.

I look forward to meeting you and your children some Sunday morning.