Our Team
Together we can create a community of justice and hope. We can nurture and support our children with values that will last a lifetime. We can build a future, for them and with them, filled with possibility and potential.Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden
Minister
As the newest member of the staff team here at Kingsview United, I would like to introduce myself. I am excited to have joined the ministry here at Kingsview. As I enter my third decade of ordained ministry, I know there are many challenges to being Church in our world today. I see ministry as a joint venture where all of us are part of the life and work of our community of faith. Relationship is the foundation to building church and ministry. If we can all feel part of the community of faith, if we can have relationships and connections that grow because we share values, faith and God’s love, then we can be the church we are called to be. We can be relevant in the world.
That is my philosophy of ministry, and of life. But you probably want to know more of the personal stuff. So… I have a partner, Alan, to whom I have been married many years. Together we raised our son, Stephen, and have now welcomed his partner, Jamie to the family. And we are about to become grandparents for the first time. So, when I am not doing ministry related work, I am happily creating baby related things like blankets. Our home is filled with books as both Alan and I are voracious readers. I love to travel when I can. And I am a self-confessed shopaholic.
I look forward to meeting everyone who calls Kingsview their community of faith, and everyone who might consider doing so. Kingsview, as an affirming community of faith, strives to be open and welcoming to all. That is my goal as well. I truly love people and want to share lives, stories, hopes, dreams and faith as we grow and work together to make the world a better place.
Rev. Karen Smart
Part-Time Pastoral Care Minister
I am pleased to have made the merger to Kingsview United Church with the members of Simcoe Street United Church. I join you as your Minister of Pastoral Care.
I have served in various ministry positions since 1993. I began as an Administrative Pastoral Minister and then a Staff Associate Minister at St. Paul’s, Ajax. I was encouraged by the greater church to begin the process to become an Ordained Minister. After nine years of study while serving as Student Supply Minister on the Greenwood Pastoral Charge, I obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Emmanuel College, University of Toronto. I was settled to the Greenwood Pastoral Charge in 2005. In 2009, I was asked to serve in the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary in the Governance Portfolio at General Council. I was the lead staff in planning General Councils 2012 and 2015. I also served as the Secretary of Oshawa/Lakeridge Presbytery from 2007 to 2018.
I left General Council and accepted a call to serve in a half-time position at Pickering Village United Church in 2015. Then in January of 2022, I was asked to serve at Simcoe Street United Church as the quarter-time Minister of Pastoral Care. In May 2024, this role was merged, and I came to Kingsview United Church. In 2023 I left Pickering Village United Church to serve half-time at Mount Zion United Church. I currently serve both Mount Zion and Kingsview Communities of Faith.
I am called to serve especially by caring for people at those touchstone times of life – weddings, funerals, divorces, as they face health issues. I also enjoy visiting with them and hearing about their every day lives.
I have been married to Tom since September of 1979 – the year we both graduated from the University of Windsor. Tom has degree in Physics, and I have a degree in Scenic Design for the Theatre and Fine Art. I married Tom and we came to Ajax, where we have lived since 1979. Tom worked his whole career and is now a retired employee from Ontario Power Generation. We both enjoy curling, swimming, gardening, walking and reading.
We have three adult children – John (Syd), Cameron and Laura. Laura is a functionally deaf-blind adult who has taught me so much about caring for others and God’s deep love for each and every one of us.
I look forward to meeting with you and spending time together as we share our faith-filled stories. I hope we will have times when we laugh together, and I am always willing to have a good cry with you too! I have known the Rev. Mary Jane Hobden for many years and I look forward to teaming with her and getting to know all of you.
Elizabeth Plancke
Office Administrator
Melanie MacLeod
Music Director
Anne Lynd
Pianist / Organist
Jim Paterson
Treasurer
Diana Smith
Head J-Walker
Krista Hester
Wedding Convener
Jeff Smith
Custodian
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on a Sunday morning?
Everyone is welcome inside the doors at Kingsview. Every Sunday, greeters welcome you at the entrance doors. Copies of the bulletin can be found on the website and are also circulated by an email blast from the office on Friday afternoons. You are welcome to sign the guest book and others may approach you and welcome you to our place of worship.
We use the bulletin, projector, the screen and monitors for announcements, hymns, pictures and other important visual information. We incorporate music, prayer, scripture, praise singing, hymns, and much more into our service. Our service typically lasts about an hour. There are special events and celebrations that take place every so often, such as baptisms, transfer of membership, confirmation, etc.
Following Worship, you can join us for coffee hour located downstairs in the auditorium. We encourage all congregants to join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments.
Do you serve Communion?
We normally offer communion the first Sunday of the month to help us all remember that every meal we eat is a sign of God’s saving grace. There are also special services during the year where we offer communion. All are welcome to join us in this celebration of remembrance as we believe that God would hold no one back from the table.
Do you offer a Bible study for adults?
We run bible studies. Please contact the church office for specific information at 905-436-2000.
Weddings?
If you wish to have your wedding at Kingsview, please call the church office at 905-436-2000 for full details. There is a fee for the church rental, the minister, the organist and the wedding convener. The minister will review your requests and you will work with the wedding team on the details for your special day. The ministers are also available to perform outside weddings.
Do you offer a confirmation program for youth and/or adults?
We offer both youth and adult confirmation at specific times throughout the year. Please contact the church office for specific information at 905-436-2000.
Rentals
The church offers rentals to outside groups. There are smaller meeting rooms and also larger spaces such as the gymnasium and auditorium. The sanctuary is also available. Please contact the church office at 905-436-2000 for specific details and to arrange.
Do you provide childcare and Sunday School?
We welcome and encourage you to bring your children into worship with you. Our Christian Development committee provides activity bags for little ones with bible stories, colouring and activities. These books can be found at the back of the sanctuary behind the last set of pews. Please help yourself and return when the child is done. Children are always welcome in all parts of worship, however, typically there is a Children’s Time and story and following that we all celebrate in praise singing. During the final praise song, the children are invited downstairs to their respective class. We do ask that all children are registered upon drop off to ensure safety and security.
Children can find their class by the sign that is outside the classroom. There are two teachers per class.
Some Sundays when there are no individual classes there is an open session for children ages 9 and under. This is also the case during the summer.
Where is the church located?
Kingsview is located at the corner of Wilson Rd north and Adelaide Avenue East. There is a large parking lot for attendees. Please mind the no parking signs and accessible parking reserved spaces and those reserved for staff.
What should I wear?
Everyone is welcome, regardless of attire. Some congregants choose to wear their Sunday best and others dress more casually. We ask that you show respect within the church building but we know that God is more interested in what is on the inside instead of the outside.
Is the church handicap accessible?
Kingsview United Church is handicap accessible. There is an accessible entrance on the lower level. We offer an elevator that services three floors. A chair lift services the Auditorium. On the Sanctuary level, you may enter the church through the main entrance under the car port. There are many accessible parking spaces available throughout the parking lot.
Can I have my child baptized?
Baptism for all ages is available at the church. Please call the church office at 905-436-2000 for full details and information.
Transfer of membership
If you wish to have your membership transferred from another church please contact the church office at 905-436-2000.
How can I get more information?
Please feel free to speak with Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden after Worship on Sunday or feel free to contact the church office to speak with Elizabeth. We also can be found at kingsviewunitedchurch.com or on Facebook.