Rev. Stefan Jonasson is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister,  journalist, historian, and folklorist. In addition to serving as Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church, he is Editor of Lögberg-Heimskringla, the Icelandic community newspaper that has been published in Winnipeg since 1886. Prior to this, he was a member of the professional staff of the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association for 24 years, serving successively as District Executive for Western Canada, Director for Large Congregations, and Director of Growth Strategies. He also served as minister to the historically Icelandic Unitarian congregations in Arborg and Gimli, Manitoba.

A graduate of the University of Winnipeg, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees, twice earning gold medals, he later served on the university’s Alumni Council for six years, including a term as President of the University of Winnipeg Alumni Association. He was a member of the university’s Board of Regents for nine years, including three years as Chair. He received the University of Winnipeg’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025.

Stefan was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and was invested as a Knight in the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 2019.

Contact Stefan using this form or at minister@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca.

Ana Gabriela Castañeda Aguilera (she/her), Coordinator of Lifespan Religious Education (CLRE)

Contact Ana at clre@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca or through the Church Office at (204) 474-1261.

Nathalie Waite, Office Admin & Rentals Director

Contact Nathalie using the Church Office contact form, at office@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca, or at (204) 474-1261 for general inquires. For rental inquiries please use the  Church Office – Rentals form or email rentals@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca.

Daniel Clark, Accompanist

Contact Daniel through the Church Office at 204-474-1261.

Ashlyn Noble (they/them), Zoom Specialist Staff

Ashlyn Noble (she/they) is our Zoom Specialist who develops and coordinates the digital elements for each Sunday Service. Ashlyn has been a multimedia artist, community activist, and podcaster for over ten years. They’ve gotten really into gardening — if not in the yard, you can find her at the nearby community garden plot during daylight hours. Ashlyn is really stoked to make our services look beautiful and run well with maximum fun and efficiency.

 

 

 

Arthur Burstow (he/him), A/V Technician

Arthur Burstow (he/him) is our A/V Technician who works on Sunday mornings from the sanctuary. He integrates the new AV system into the services and other events, and trains volunteers to use it in a way that’s simple and easy to understand. In the past, Arthur has worked as a cook at a hotel, a warehouse worker at the MTS centre, and has a degree in Electrical Engineering. He likes making beats on the computer with friends and painting with watercolours.

Jessica Hamm & Alejandra Nikkel, Caretaker

Contact our caretakers through email at caretaker@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca.

Christina Swindells-Nader (she/her), Lay Chaplain

As of June 2024, Christina Swindells-Nader (she/her) is our lay chaplain. Lay Chaplains are fully supported by their congregation and the Canadian Unitarian Council, and have extensive training in ritual design and performing officiant duties. If you’re not a member of our congregation and are looking for a progressive, welcoming officiant for a rite of passage, contact Christina using the Officiant contact form, at christina.sn@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca, or at (204) 474-1261.