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Our GSJ Ministry Team

Coordinating Minister - Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole

The Rev. Dr. Teresa Ann Burnett-Cole was called to the pulpit of Glebe-St. James in 2014 and currently serves as the Coordinating Minister in the ministry team.


Born in London, Ontario, Teresa grew up living in the South-western Ontario village of Mount Brydges. Teresa studied Music, Canadian History and Religious Studies at Western Ontario. After working in the non-profit and education sectors for a while, she returned to university and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Emmanuel College. In 2023 she successfully defended her doctoral thesis for her Th.D. in liturgical studies at the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. Teresa has served congregations four different regions of Canada and also worked as a Personal Minister.


Teresa is an accomplished visual artist and musician. She has a passion for both creative liturgy and social justice. She says of worship, “If people are going to spend an hour of their precious time with us, we’d better make sure our worship services are inspiring, rejuvenating, and challenging because no one is getting that hour back!” Her strong sense of humour and self-deprecating jokes make worship at true celebration of life (yes folks, laughing IS allowed in church!). With her strong commitment to social justice for all, Teresa works hard to support the passions and energy of GSJ’s congregation members as well as continuing with her activist work in support of First Nations and LGBTQ2-S+ people.


Teresa continues her ministry in the wider church serving on the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region Council Executive, the General Council Executive, and the Worship Team for General Council 45. She currently teaches United Church Worship at Montreal DIOS and works with new and practising Licensed Lay Worship Leaders in a variety of ways. Teresa keeps current on liturgical practice in the United Church of Canada by writing a regular column for Gathering: a worship planning magazine produced by the United Church. She also regularly lectures on issues concerning Indigenous peoples. All these activities make their way back to Glebe-St. United and often end up in her sermons and educational circles.


Married to Ruth Burnett-Cole, a Registered Massage Therapist, they round out their family with their Jack Russell Terrier, Okwaho, better known as “Oggie the Doggie.” When not playing her drums or guitars, Teresa enjoys reading, music, painting, walking, and kayaking. A perfect day means getting outside and heading for either the bush or water with her four-legged companion at her side.


She can be reached at: [email protected], or by calling 613-850-5490. Or check out her “Ministry Musings” blog: http://revtbc.com/  Please note that if you are calling for benevolent assistance please call the church office at 613-236-0617.

Minister of Music - Paul Grose

Paul holds an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from McMaster University and after completing his music degree, pursued studies in traditional Chinese music as an education exchange bursary recipient at Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China. He has been involved in choirs since childhood, including a stint in the Stratford boychoir. As a teenager during his grade 12 year in Kenya, Paul accompanied the Muungano National Choir of Nairobi, which he describes as an exhilarating experience that instilled a life-long love of African music. Paul was the Director of Music at St. Paul’s-Eastern United Church on two separate occasions, for a total of almost 20 years ending in 2021.  He describes himself as someone who likes exploring the new while staying rooted in tradition.  In his own words, Paul has told us, “As a progressive Christian, I value inclusivity and the bridging of sacred and secular”. Paul moved to Ottawa in 1995 with his wife Lily.  They have three children.  Paul works at the Communications Security Establishment.  Paul has shared that he is “thrilled at the invitation to join in the spiritual journey of the warm and welcoming Glebe-St. James congregation”.  Paul began his duties at Glebe-St. James in January 2026.  You can reach Paul at [email protected]


There is always room for anyone who is curious about or interested in being part of the musical life of Glebe-St. James - we look forward to meeting you! 

Minister of Music, Emeritus - Robert Palmai

Robert and his family immigrated to Canada from Hungary in 1956, settling in the Kitchener area. Robert’s father became a choir director at St. Clement’s in Preston (now Cambridge), where Robert began playing the Casavant organ when he was sixteen. After graduating from University of Toronto with Bachelor of Music and Education degrees, Robert taught high school music for 30 years, worked in several united churches, and is the founding Director of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto. In 1983, Robert moved to Ottawa to take a teaching position in the music department of Canterbury High School, where he taught vocal and choral music, harmony and piano until he retired in 2001. He was the organist at Emmanuel United Church for 16 years, and was also the Music Director of the Savoy Society from 1993 to 2000. He directed the middle school and senior choirs at Elmwood from 2001 to 2006. In 2005 he founded the Canterbury (Alumnae) Treble Choir. Since 2007 Robert was Minister of Music at GSJ until his retirement in 2018. Robert lives in Alta Vista, happily married to Susan, enjoying a blended family of 6 children and 7 grandchildren.

Church Administrator - Jennifer Reid

Jennifer was born in Ottawa and was raised within the United Church. Most of her working years have been spent in the not-for-profit industry including several stints of working with numerous west end churches. Jennifer likes children and is involved with her local Scouting group and with Ottawa West Community Support senior’s programs. She is happy to greet you at the Glebe-St. James office but she does have lots of allergies so please if you are coming to visit – no scents makes more sense.


Jennifer can be reached at [email protected], or by calling the church office: 613-236-0617. The current church office hours can be found here.

Church Accounts - Lori Stinson

Lori grew up Deep River, Ontario and moved to Ottawa to further her education at Algonquin College.


She has worked in the accounting field since graduation and you can find her one day a week at GSJ.  She also works part time at ISS Canada and in the family business.


Lori is happily married to Eric and they have  two adult children, Jodi and Carter and one very spoiled Havanese/Poodle pup named Zoe.


Lori can be reached at [email protected]

Coming Soon! Minister of Compassionate Care - Rev Paul Dillman

(Fall, 2026)

We are happy to announce that Council recently approved a one-year part-time position, titled “Minister of Compassionate Care.” This role, averaging up to 20 hours a month, aims to further enhance our community’s compassionate care support. The Minister of Compassionate Care will support Rev. Teresa to ensure our faith community remains strong and connected.  This includes offering pastoral care to those facing health challenges and those seeking support to participate in church activities.


We were fortunate to have in our midst a recently retired Minister, Rev. Paul Dillman, who expressed interest and whose appointment to this one-year contract has just been approved by Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council. 


Rev. Paul Dillman retired in May 2025 after 39 years of ordained ministry.  His final 22 years were spent at Riverside United Church, one of our Southeast Ottawa Cluster sibling congregations.  Prior to that, he served in Saskatchewan for 17 years, in three different pastoral charges.


Paul, married to retired minister Elizabeth Bryce, has three adult children—Ruth, Rebekah, and Luke—all of whom live and work in Ottawa.


Growing up in Nova Scotia, Paul will be spending the summer at the family cottage in Pugwash. He’s excited about the Fall, particularly getting to know the Glebe St. James congregation and focusing on compassionate care.  He’ll also continue some of his retirement activities, like supporting colleagues in ministry, learning bridge and curling at the Carleton Heights Curling Club, and more.


Rev. Paul will assume his new duties upon his return to Ottawa in late September.  More details will be shared then. In the meantime, please join me in welcoming him.