Leadership
Our Staff
Rev. Andrew Colman
Andrew grew up in Winnipeg and earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Trumpet Performance from the University of Manitoba. He currently plays trumpet in the Super Cool Brass Band in Winnipeg. Andrew received his Master of Divinity from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. After his studies, he served in eight different parishes during his formation including a curacy Holy Trinity Guildwood, Scarborough. Some highlights include acting as the summer chaplain for the Parish of Georgina at Saint George’s Sibbald Point, engaging with summer visitors to the historic heritage site. Andrew became known as the “swinging chaplain” for his jazz trumpet performances at the local community restaurant. He also worked for Christ Church Deer Park as Children & Youth Director and served on the Bishop’s Youth Ministry Committee of the Diocese of Toronto.
Andrew has called saint ben’s home since the season of Advent in 2007. Like many people who discover sbt, he initially found refuge in participating in worship without further obligations. He moved into actively participating in the community through music ministry by joining the worship team. After 5 years, he was called into ministry and sent by saint ben’s to Toronto for study. Andrew returned home to Winnipeg in 2022 and was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land in 2023. He has been serving as rector at saint ben’s since February 2024. Andrew is excited for this next chapter in the life of saint benedict’s table and looks forward to all the gifts the Holy Spirit has in store.
Ruth Denton
Ruth is our Administration and Communications Coordinator. Her experience as a musician and preacher’s kid (both parents!) helps her build community and connections across a diverse range of people and their gifts while coordinating the growing to-do list for st bens. Ruth has a Master of Music in Historical Performance from the University of Toronto and is an Assistant Conductor of the Joie de Vivre Community Choir. She freelances as an oboist and educator, and most recently wrote a fictional holiday story-concert for all ages. She is also the Interim Communications & Marketing Coordinator at the Manitoba Choral Association.
Ruth recently returned to the beloved Manitoba prairies—after a decade living in Ontario and Colorado—where she resides with her husband Vijay Chalasani and Nellie the poodle. Ruth is new to the st. bens community, but grew up listening to music by Steve Bell as he attended the same high school as her family. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and gathering together each week.
Kitchen Table
The Kitchen Table is the saint ben’s version of a church board, so called because our very earliest meetings were held around a big kitchen table in our first church home, the long-closed St Alban’s Anglican Church.
This group currently gathers a half dozen times over the course of the year, to consider not only the usual church board matters such as budgets and staffing, but also to act as something of a discernment group and sounding board for the wider saint benedict's table community.
Statement of Openness
In the spirit of St Benedict, who said “let all guests who arrive be received as Christ,” saint benedict’s table strives to be a welcoming place for people of all identities, orientations, backgrounds and beliefs.
And we strive to be accountable to each other as we commit to embodying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ who said “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
Kitchen Table Meeting Minutes and Resources:
Curious about the topics on our plate and the discussions and the policies that inform them ‘round the table? Please feel free to review meeting minutes and our HR Policy Handbook, below. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Wardens for more information.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, February 22, at 2pm in person and online
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the Mission of saint benedict's table will be held at All Saints Church on the Twenty-Second day of February 2025, at two in the afternoon, at which time and place all members signing the Declaration of Church Membership and who are of the full age of 16 years are entitled to attend, participate, and vote.
We invite members of saint benedict's table community to join us in reviewing the 2025 Annual Report.
Materials:
2025 Kitchen Table Team:
Rob Kwade
Warden
Beth Downey Sawatzky
Warden
Marvin Kopp
David Lipinski
Zoe Matties
Zoe has been attending sbt off and on since sometime around 2009, and regularly since 2018 with her partner Tim. She continues to be drawn in by the excellent music, and welcoming open communion table. She joined Kitchen Table in 2022, and often volunteers as Lay Reader or Communion Assistant during services.
Zoe works for A Rocha Canada, which is part of an international network of Christian nature conservation organizations. In her spare time she enjoys walking in the woods, reading a good book, and sharing a meal with friends.
Danielle Morton
Danielle has been calling sbt home since fall of 2012 when she moved to Winnipeg. She has been involved in a variety of roles including communion administrant, scripture reader, lay reader and tidy up, as well as participating in the Canonical Committee, Communities of Calling team, and as a Kitchen Table member from 2017-2021. As a Synod Delegate, Danielle brings a deep love and appreciation for the Anglican liturgy, theology, and ecclesiology to the Kitchen Table.
Pat Mowat
Pat and Ian have been attending sbt for 17 years. Pat loves the liturgy and the contemplative worship time. She and Ian are committed to providing hospitality and encouragement to others and being able share their home.
Pat has been retired for 9 years from her work for the Province of Manitoba as a social service worker. Pat has enjoyed helping behind the scenes at sbt during this time and is looking forward to a larger responsibility as a member of the Kitchen Table.
Paul Peters Derry
Christen Rachul
Christen started attending sbt in 2016 and joined the Kitchen Table in 2022. She lives with her partner in the West Broadway community and believes the church plays a valuable role in the neighbourhood. Christen has a PhD in applied linguistics and discourse studies and is a researcher in the field of medical education, but when she's not at work she enjoys doing pottery, cycling, and gardening. In addition to the Kitchen Table, she serves on the Missions Fund Committee, participates in one of the book clubs, and can often be seen volunteering on Sunday evening either greeting people at the door or making coffee.
Rachel Sutton
Rachel Sutton (spouse of Chris Titterton) has been attending saint benedicts table regularly since 2015 or so. Rachel's two day jobs involve a lot of administrative work and collaboration with others, and she loves bringing those skills to Kitchen Table. Rachel volunteers in a variety of roles at SBT, including music ministry and leading prayers of the people. She is also one of the Artist in Residence participants for 2024, and is working on a project focused on the many shapes and forms of mending.
Brad Vrolijk