McCLURE
UNITED CHURCH
MEET THE STAFF
Robert Campbell
Minister
Robert Campbell came to be our minister at McClure in 2016. This is his third pastorate. He served for 11 years as minister of the Holland-Cypress River Pastoral Charge in south-central Manitoba and then for 26 years as minister of Westminster Church, our neighbouring United Church in Wolseley. His wife, Linda, is an active member of our congregation. They have an adult son, James.
Robert was raised in western Manitoba, first on a farm near Isabella and then in the town of Roblin. He studied arts at Brandon University and theology at Emmanuel College in Toronto and was ordained in 1978.
Robert’s service to the wider church has been extensive. He has chaired both Carman and Winnipeg Presbyteries as well as the Conference Staff Committee. He has served on and chaired Pastoral Relations committees and Education and Students committees in both presbyteries.
Since moving to Winnipeg in 1989, Robert and Linda have taken full advantage of the city’s rich musical blessings, both instrumental and choral. They are frequent concert-goers and both sing in Margaret’s Choir which presents concerts in support of worthy charitable endeavours. A highlight for Robert was his eight-year membership on the Board of the Manitoba Arts Council. Currently, he is President of the Manitoba Branch of the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada.
Robert enjoys all aspects of ministry, but his particular love is for the preaching of the Word. His sermons, both thoughtful and passionate, bring the Bible to bear on life as we live it today. He also works hard to ensure that our worship is engaging and that its music fully complements and supports the Word that is being proclaimed.
Charmaine Bacon
Organist
Beginning her piano studies in her hometown of Russell, Manitoba, Charmaine is classically trained in piano, organ, and flute, obtaining music degrees at the Universities of Manitoba and Toronto with further studies at the Glenn Gould School. She is currently pianist for Margaret’s Choir and Joie de Vivre, and happy to be the newly appointed organist at McClure United Church. As a freelance musician, Charmaine enjoys collaborating with her colleagues at Westminster United, Fort Garry United, and Broadway First Baptist churches among others. A highlight in the past few years was performing organ in Handel’s Messiah with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and later in Steinbach MB with members of Providence College and the local community. Charmaine is also an avid flutist, working with students of all ages, and performing in solo and chamber concerts around Winnipeg.
Michael McKay
Associate Organist
Michael McKay, our former organist, continues to record worship broadcasts for us throughout the pandemic. Born, raised, and educated in Nova Scotia, Michael has made his home in Winnipeg since 2006 and is a valued contributor to our city’s musical scene. He is an award-winning choral composer whose pieces have been sung by many choirs in Winnipeg. Most recently the Winnipeg Singers premiered his setting of Rose Fyleman’s beloved poem, “In Winnipeg at Christmas.” His setting of the Magnificat, “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord,” has just been published by Cypress Choral Music.
Michael is also skilled as a piano soloist and accompanist, a sought-after chorister, a writer whose narrations have been heard at many concerts and recitals, a harpist, and an authority on medieval music. Michael is currently the accompanist for the Manitoba Theatre for Young People and rentals and building use co-ordinator for Westminster Church. In recent years he has been the organist at First Presbyterian Church and Oakbank United Church, and organist and choirmaster at St. Michael and All Angels’ Anglican Church.
Michael’s musical offerings and improvisations are an integral part of our worship and help us to fulfill the goal contained in the Creed we recite each Sunday: “to celebrate God’s presence.”
Edith Dyck
Office Administrator
Edith began working at McClure United Church as the Office Administrator in September, 2004. She can be found in the office Wednesday to Friday mornings between September and June and during the summer months on Wednesday mornings. Edith is very active in her faith community and can be found accompanying the congregation on the piano during many Sunday morning worship services. Edith has turned into an avid reader and enjoys spending her free time on the golf course during the golf season.