Rev. Caroline Penhale
Team Minister, Congregational Care & Outreach
ouc.carolinepenhale@rogers.com
In January of 2017, Rev. Caroline joined the Orleans United Church ministry team. She is married to Guy Faubert, a research scientist and project engineer. Riley, their 6-year West Highland Terrier, completes their family.
Born in Montreal, Caroline grew up in Greater Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. Guy was also born in Montreal and grew up on the West Island. They met and married on the West Coast and in 2014 responded to the call to move to the Ottawa area.
Caroline studied at Simon Fraser University and the University of Alberta for her undergraduate degree in English and completed her graduate work at Vancouver School of Theology. While completing her studies at VST, Caroline served as the UCC Campus Minister at UBC, and helped to launch a ministry called Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. She completed her internship in Mortlach, Saskatchewan and was ordained by BC Conference in May of 2014. In 2014, she began an appointment as the Congregational Minister for Église Unie de la Grâce United Church in West Quebec where she served until December 2016.
At OUC, Caroline shares in all aspects of team ministry with Rev. Molly. She loves planning and leading worship in the collaborative style that OUC folks appreciate. As the Minister for Congregational Care and Outreach, she has primary responsibility for the Pastoral Care and Outreach activities of OUC. This includes participating in a Pastoral Care Network with several churches in the Orleans area and listening for new ways that OUC can reach out to the wider community to share God’s goodness and love.
Caroline is also involved in ministry in the wider church. She currently serves on two Ottawa Presbytery committees as Chair of the Ottawa Presbytery French & Bilingual Ministry Team and Co-Chair of the Environment & Climate Care Team. She also serves as a Field Placement Student Supervisor for United Theological College.
Caroline describes herself as “indoorsy” and loves curling up on the couch with Guy and Riley and watching British murder mysteries. She has recently rediscovered a love of reading fiction (also murder mysteries!). Add to that yoga, kickboxing, and pack walks with Riley and Guy, and you get a good idea of what Caroline gets up to when she’s not at work.
Caroline is excited about her ministry with Orleans United Church and is grateful to have joined such a vibrant community of faith. Like Molly, she looks forward to sharing God’s goodness with this faith family for years to come!
Rev. Molly Bell
Team Minister, Faith Formation & Leadership Development
ouc.mollybell@rogers.com
In September of 2002, Orleans United Church welcomed Rev. Molly Bell to the ministry team. She is married to Stephen Ellsworth, a civil engineer working with Transport Canada. They have one daughter, Emma, who is the light of their lives and who keeps them on their toes.
Born in Winnipeg, Molly considers herself an Ottawa girl as she spent all of her school days in the city. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Queen’s University, and then remained at Queen’s to pursue a Master’s of Divinity degree at Queen’s Theological College. Following ordination in 2000, she served the Aylwin Pastoral Charge in Western Quebec.
At OUC, Molly is involved with a variety of programs with a particular focus on Leadership Development, Christian Education, Children and Youth Ministries. She enjoys being part of an equal and collaborative staff team, where all aspect of ministry including Worship leadership are shared. She is energized by the creative, dynamic worship experiences OUC offers, and feels blessed to be invited into families’ lives through weddings, funerals, baptisms, and milestone occasions. Engaging in long-term ministry with Orleans United, she particularly enjoys watching the generations grow and change, and being part of the on-going faith journey of the families of our congregation.
Time at home or away is spent watching movies, quiet (or not so quiet) evenings with friends, and spending time at the cottage. Music plays a big role in her family’s life, and Molly is happy to play chauffeur, cheerleader, and equipment manager as Stephen & Emma pursue their various passions. Any spare time is spent planning the next great family adventure, as this family trio travels the world exploring new cultures and contexts.
While she has been with OUC for many years, Molly continues feels called to ministry at Orleans United and is excited and humbled by the opportunities for growth, care, and learning that are offered as she journeys with the congregation. She looks forward to sharing God’s goodness with this faith family for years to come!