Clergy

The Very Rev. Chris Dowdeswell, PhD, Dean of the Diocese of Calgary and Rector of the Cathedral

Email: deanchris@anglicancathedralcalgary.ca

Dean Chris joined the Cathedral in 2022. He grew up on his family's farm near Swift Current, SK. He has deep family roots in the United Church but sojourned in a number of evangelical churches before finding his way to the Anglican communion. He and his wife, Krista, have been married for over twenty years, having met at the University of Alberta. They taught English in South Korea for a year before attending seminary at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto. He also completed a diploma in Ignatian spiritual direction through Regis College at TST. Chris continued on to doctoral studies at Emmanuel College and the University of St Michael’s College, also at the U of T. Once their boys came along, they moved to Edmonton where Krista and he were ordained, and they ministered in a few different churches there. Chris then became Rector of St Stephen's Swift Current in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle, where he also served on the diocesan finance committee, as chair of a local Anglican camp, and as a territorial Archdeacon. Chris' PhD is interdisciplinary, focusing on psychology, theology and epistemology. He would love to geek out in conversation with you on those topics and more over a coffee or a beer.

Father Jim McDermott, Honorary Assistant Priest

Finding God in the faces of others is at the heart of Father Jim’s calling. By the time he was ordained, he had a Master of Social Work and a 19-year career as a social worker and probation officer. After ordination, he continued working on behalf of others as a bi-vocational priest, a probation officer during the week and assistant priest on the weekends. In 2004 he moved from New York to Montreal where he applied specialized training in interim ministry. In 2009 Father Jim became rector at St. Mark’s where he remained until his retirement in 2018. The pandemic brought his wife, Veronica, and him to Calgary to be near their grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law and much closer to their son in Portland, Oregon. Hallmarks of Father Jim’s ministry and life are his interests in Celtic spirituality and performing Irish traditional music.

The Rev’d Eyad Ajji, Honorary Assistant

Rev. Eyad Ajji was born in Aleppo, Syria. He is married to Mrs. Faten Haddad and they have two children in their twenties, Thyatra and Abdalla. Rev. Eyad recieved his BA in Theology and Pastoral Care in Jordan and was ordained deacon and priest in the Episcopal (Anglican) diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, serving in several churches in Jordan. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2016 to the diocese of Calgary, serving at St. Edmund's and several other churches. He later served in the dioceses of Saskatchewan and Toronto, in Incumbent priest as well as chaplaincy roles. During this time, he also completed his MDiv in Biblical studies by correspondence. Rev. Eyad came back with his family to the diocese of Calgary in 2023 to serve as Incumbent of St. Mark & St. Philip Anglican church. As that parish worships together in the afternoons, Rev. Eyad is pleased to be able to lead services at the Cathedral when needed. He was appointed by the bishop as Honorary Assistant at the Cathedral, beginning in September 2024.

Music

Tim Woodford, Director of Music Ministry

Email: music@anglicancathedralcalgary.ca

Tim began his musical training for churches and cathedrals as a chorister at the Royal Family’s St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, singing for the royal family. He continued school at Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex, and Surrey University where he specialised in choral conducting, singing, piano and organ. Tim later became a choral scholar and Lay-clerk at Guildford Cathedral. Upon graduation, Tim freelanced as a singer, singing teacher, organist and choral conductor of several choirs, and was Director of Music at schools and several large churches in the UK. In 2021, Tim relocated to Canada to become Director of Music at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church in Vancouver. There, he led the congregational music program, conducted various choirs and reached out to the community with many new musical initiatives. Tim was appointed Director of Music Ministry at the Cathedral in 2023. Tim is a devout Christian and follower of the path of Jesus, having been baptised and confirmed at a young age and spent his whole life and career in churches and cathedrals. Tim enjoys inspiring the congregation in worship and is delighted to be serving with us.

Sunday School Teacher

Hugo Camacho, Sunday School Teacher

Email: school@anglicancathedralcalgary.ca
More information coming soon…

Office

Winnifred Hume, Administrator

Phone: 403-269-1905 x112
Email: office@anglicancathedralcalgary.ca

Sandra Davenport, Bookkeeper

Phone: 403-269-1905 x113
Email: davenportbookkeeper@shaw.ca