The people who keep this place going.

Mervin has deep roots in the United Church going back to his days growing up in rural New Brunswick on the mighty Miramichi River. He brings over 40 years of experience in United Church ministry in Saskatchewan and Alberta, a deep passion for an inclusive understanding of God’s love for every human being and for creation itself, and a profound hunger for justice both for all persons and within society as a whole.

Mervin is married to Deborah, the proud father of two grown daughters, and enjoys immensely his two very active grandsons.

Wendy Nieuwenhuis is an organist, teacher, and collaborative musician based in Edmonton. She serves as the music director at Highlands United Church in addition to her private teaching in both organ and piano.

Wendy has performed recitals throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan and frequently collaborates with instrumentalists, churches, and choirs as both a collaborative and solo artist. She holds a Masters of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Alberta as well as a Bachelor of Music and Church Music Diploma from The King’s University. Her teachers have included Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht, Dr. Joachim Segger, and Dr. Jacobus Kloppers, and she has studied abroad with Canadian organist Craig Humber in Vienna, Austria.

Carol has been sharing her love of handbells for over 40 years, and for more than 30 of those years she has been part of the music life at Highlands United Church. Over the years, more than 150 ringers have participated in the handbell choirs, enriching worship services, giving concerts, and taking part in local, provincial, and national handbell events.

Carol began ringing under her father’s direction and continued through her university years before moving to the conductor’s side of the table. She is an accomplished solo and duet ringer, a founding member of the Alberta Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and has led workshops, adjudicated at music festivals, and supported the broader handbell community.

For Carol, handbells are about more than music — they’re about connection, creativity, and joy. She loves helping people discover that they can make beautiful music together, and she warmly welcomes anyone who is curious to come and give it a try.

Gail keeps the life of the church running smoothly — she’s the friendly voice on the phone and the first face you’ll often meet in the office.

Gail has been with Highlands United for the past ten years and also runs the breakfast program at nearby Highlands School. She and her husband Jason are the proud parents of three busy teenagers. When Gail’s not busy working or trying to keep up with her kids, you can find her in the garden, trying her hand at quilting and sewing, or baking in the kitchen.