Most churches have leaders and various structures of leadership. Our vision of church leadership – whether pastoring, discerning, or stewardship – hinges on a desire to embody a spirit of friendship. Friendship is what God initiates (John 15:15) and leaders in the Abbey seek deepening friendship with God and others.
Friendship with god
Our primary work as leaders is responding ourselves to God’s gracious invitation to a deep and intimate friendship. It is from this posture – what Jesus describes in the gospel of Luke as the “one necessary thing” – that everything else flows. Having spiritual directors, practicing sabbath, and developing our own rhythms of prayer and scripture all play into this.
Second, leaders ought to help people respond to God’s invitation to deep and intimate friendship with them; to cultivate this friendship by enhancing their awareness of God’s presence, communication, and activity in their lives, and giving them time and space to respond accordingly.
FRIENDSHIP WITH one another
Finally, our work involves intentionally deepening our friendship with one another, as well as with and amongst our people.
people
Currently, West End Abbey is pastored (from the Latin pastor which means “shepherd” and connotes one who tends, cares, and guards) by Suhail Stephen.
The Abbey is also served by Doug and Rachelle Houlbrook, who comprise the “Discernment Friendship.” They offer leadership, vision, and discernment and have done so since our church began.
We also have a “Stewardship Circle” which is currently comprised of Doug Houlbrook, Natalie Hamm, and Mary Coswin, OSB. The Stewardship Circle supports the spiritual vision of the Abbey and oversees financial matters.
Suhail Stephen
Suhail was born in India, grew up as a missionary kid and has lived in seven countries. He is a spiritual director, the founder/director of the School of Mercy and Justice, a teacher in Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction and the Order of the Common Life’s Apprenticeship in Spiritual Direction, and the creator and co-host of Listen with Love – a podcast about spiritual direction. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Anaya and Marcus. He loves being with his family, film, music, reading, writing, travel, good conversation, and football (FC Barcelona!).
You can follow him at:
https://writingisprayer.com/
Doug and Rachelle Houlbrook
Rachelle and Doug were married in August, 2000 and have two children, Isaiah and Saige. Rachelle grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba as an only child. She enjoyed spending her childhood years at Betula Lake, exploring the forest, water skiing, and ski-dooing. Rachelle completed her second year of Spiritual Direction training with Sustainable Faith in 2022. Her vocation is in mental health as a nurse (since 1997) and she currently works at a hospital in Ambulatory Care. She loves people’s sacred stories and dancing. Doug grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and is the oldest of three siblings. He works as a research nurse in Child Asthma and Allergy. He likes spending time with his family, motorcycles, and golfing.
Natalie Hamm
Natalie grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba, the youngest of 3 girls. Her fondest childhood memories include travelling with her family, most significantly to India, to see where her dad grew up as a missionary kid. No doubt this influenced her decision to volunteer with churches in Nepal and India during 2014, where she met her now husband, Akash Tamang. They married in 2019, and have called Winnipeg and West End Abbey “home” since 2022.
Natalie completed her spiritual director training with Sustainable Faith in 2017. Although not a professional pursuit, it has shaped her faith and grown her love for the contemplative.
Natalie loves to run (the farther the better!) with her deepest joy found out on the trails, pushing herself to new limits.
Mary Coswin, OSB
Mary Coswin, a native of Winnipeg, has been a Benedictine Sister and member of the St. Benedict’s Monastery in Winnipeg since 1965. She has enjoyed teaching junior and senior high school, counselling adolescents, and offering youth retreats.
She was privileged to offer spiritual direction to adult seekers as well as train new directors for 40-plus years. For a stint of 5 wonderful years, Mary worked in spiritual direction and retreats at Providence Renewal Centre in Edmonton and was ‘house mother’ for Diakonos House, a residence for first responders who needed time out.
Her most recent ministry was as director of her community’s Retreat Centre for 23 years; she was blessed with opportunities to welcome and gather people to a safe place for learning, rest and finding meaning in their lives.
Currently, she engages with Benedictine Oblates of her community, an association of women and men who desire to live Benedictine Spirituality in their daily lives. She is also the co-host of Listen with Love – a podcast about spiritual direction.
In her spare time, she reads, takes photos, dabbles in card-making, and keeps up with friends over a walk, a drink or a meal.
WEST END ABBEY 