Our Staff

Tamil Savurimalai

Bloordale Campus Office Admin

Tamil Savurimalai is the office administrator and receptionist  of the  Bloordale Campus of Islington United Church and she   is the person you will reach when you call the Bloordale Campus  telephone number.  She will  help with rental enquiries and questions related to the use of the Bloordale Campus facilities, will put you  in touch with the Church Leadership team or other Church  Support Staff, and will  deal with any general inquiries that you may have about the Bloordale Campus .

Rev. Maya Landell

Lead Minister

Rev. Maya Landell has been the Lead Minister at Islington since January 2017. Maya is passionate about building community, creative worship and leadership that allows people to grow and thrive.

She is an avid reader, loves swimming and running, and is learning to knit. Maya lives with her husband Adam, daughter Norah, and beagle-basset hound Sophie.

Jason Locke

Minister of Music

Jason Locke has been the Minister of Music at Islington United Church since May, 2017. He is an organist, pianist, choral conductor and composer. With this skill set, he brings leadership to the varied, robust and growing music program at IUC, where members are encouraged to contribute their musical skills for the good the entire church community. Jason has worked in a variety of other churches and in several different denominations. This has informed the musical variety he offers the music program.

He has an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Tyndale University College, a Master of Sacred Music degree from Emmanuel College, U of T, he has a colleagueship with the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and he is currently enrolled in a Master of Music (Performance) in Choral Conducting at Western University.

Jason has two choral anthems published by GIA: Abide With Me (2021) and This Is My Story (2022).

When he is not practicing, score-studying, worship planning and composing, Jason enjoys exploring the city with his partner Jihwan and their Lab-Husky mix, Toby.

James Aitchison

Pastoral Care Ministry Lead

James joined the ministry team in September 2017 and has seen his role gradually develop since then, now involving various ministries. Alongside pastoral visitation, James supports Sunday worship, daily meditation, Interfaith conversation, Anti-Racism work, and The Resonance Project, among other programs.

Graduating with a Masters of Divinity from Emmanuel College in May of 2021, James is excited about the journey ahead, though he remains committed to the spiritual practice of presence along the way. He has been fortunate to travel a lot and translates lessons from the road into his life and work.

Having grown up at IUC since he was ten years old, he is grateful to be learning more about ministry in a community he knows and loves. He is especially grateful for the incredible pastoral gifts of the community, who support one another with such compassion and generosity.

Catherine Locke

Hospitality Ministry Lead

Catherine has attended Islington United since 2017 and quickly became involved with the Senior Choir, Resonance and Hospitality ministries.

For the past 13 years, Catherine  worked for Chartwell Retirement Residences in various roles including Office Management, Food Service Management and in  the most recent 6 years as General Manager. Catherine has a passion for building relationships, cooking and serving food, and developing new programs.

As a people manager, Catherine understands the importance of building a strong team that is flexible and has a desire to do their best to serve their community.

As of September 2024,  as Hospitality Ministry Lead of Islington United Church , she  is responsible for facility oversight (including use of buildings, IT, security, contractor relations), food preparation, kitchen management, health and safety policies, grant and program development, relationship to renters, GIST & community partners, and  staff liaison to the Hospitality Committee for special events.