Clergy and Staff
Rev. Margo Whittaker
Interim Priest-in-Charge
Margo came to Christ Church Bells Corners to be our Interim Priest-in-Charge while the parish works to hire a new Incumbent Priest. She was previously the Incumbent Priest at Good Shepherd Barrhaven.
Margo has served in the Diocese of Ottawa since her ordination as a Deacon in November 2005. She was ordained a Priest in April 2006. In addition to her parish work, Margo serves as Chaplain to the Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 641 Barrhaven and to Saint Paul University/ Université Saint-Paul, Ottawa. She delights in serving as a priest, meeting and serving the people of God in the communities and contexts where they live and work and worship.
When she finds time, Margo enjoys reading and moving on the trails, in the gym, or in the pool. Margo has been married to Michael for more than twenty-four years. They have two grown daughters.
You can reach Margo by email at margo.l.whittaker@gmail.com or by leaving a message on the church office phone(613) 829-1826 anytime.
Lieutenant-Colonel the Revered Mike Gibbons
Assisting Priest
Lieutenant-Colonel the Reverend Mike Gibbons was born in Nova Scotia and grew up in Prince Edward Island. Mike received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2001 and graduated from the University of Toronto (Emmanuel College) with a Master of Divinity degree in 2005, and that year was ordained a minister of The United Church of Canada.
Mike served in congregational ministry in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia before being recruited into the Canadian Armed Forces as a chaplain in 2008. Mike was initially posted to Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, near Fredericton, New Brunswick. While posted to CFB Gagetown Mike served as chaplain to a number of units including the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME), as well as the 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR). As battalion chaplain Mike deployed to Afghanistan with 2 RCR in 2011. In 2013 Mike was posted to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia and served as part of the chaplain team with Canadian Fleet Pacific. Since 2017 Mike has served in the Headquarters of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, ON.
Mike was ordained to the diaconate on the Eve of the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, 30 May 2018, and was ordained to the priesthood on the Eve of the Feast of Holy Cross Day, 13 September 2018.
Mike, his wife Lynda and their daughters Emma and Mary, are delighted to be at Christ Church Bells Corners.
Kellina Gehrels
Music and Senior Choir Director
Kellina has been the pianist at CCBC since 2013, accompanying both junior and senior choirs. She stepped into the role of music director in the spring of 2019, directing the senior choir and playing for weekly church services.
Kellina graduated with a degree in piano performance from the University of Ottawa in 2012. She has been involved in many local community musical theatre productions as the rehearsal accompanist and a member of the orchestra. She works with vocal studios as an accompanist for singers for recitals and music festivals. During the growing season she works at a garden centre.
Lily Frampton (photo to come)
Junior Choir Director
Lily Frampton grew up as a parishioner of Christ Church Bell’s Corners since the early 1990’s, and was a member of the junior choir for 7 years during her youth. She went on to graduate from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2015, and continued her studies at the University of Ottawa where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2017.
Lily joined the Christ Church Bell’s Corners instrumentalists as a flutist and auxiliary percussionist in 2016 during teacher’s college. She has enjoyed being a band member for the last several years, and was also a member of the worship band for the Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth gathering in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 2018, and for the virtual CLAY gathering that took place in 2020.
She has been an active member of the parish in other roles, including synod delegate, parish council member, youth group leader, server, and has volunteered at a number of church bazaars and pancake suppers over the years. Lily has also represented the Diocese of Ottawa at Provincial Synod, has served on Provincial Council for a number of years, and is excited to step into this new leadership role as Junior Choir Director at CCBC.
During the week, Lily works as a high school teacher with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, teaching students in grades nine through twelve. Her teaching subjects include instrumental and vocal music, history, cooperative education, and special education. Having experience in various choirs and bands, including a variety of different genres of music throughout her life, she is excited to be able to bring her classroom experience and love of music to Christ Church Bell’s Corners in a new way!
Megan Sproule-Jones
Director of Children’s Ministries
Megan and her children, Julia and Mark, have been attending CCBC since the fall of 2011, having moved back to Ottawa after six years in Sudbury. Megan first researched Anglican parishes online, trying out CCBC initially because of the location close to their Arlington Woods home, but more importantly, because of the extensive children’s ministries described on our website.
Megan, who has taught in and coordinated church schools previously, has been part of the CCBC teaching team since her second year here. She has also served as a Synod delegate and on the Food Truck Rally team.
Megan works full-time managing and editing the bilingual research journal and other publications of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, and occasionally does freelance editing and indexing work from home. She enjoys cooking, baking, and gardening, and has recently taken up curling. Something you may not know about her is that before her marriage, she spent a year living in France, teaching English in a Paris high school—a life-changing adventure!
Looking ahead, Megan hopes to implement additional programs for 11- to 13-year-olds, and to enhance intergenerational learning experiences. She also intends to continue with the excellent programs already in place, to provide continuity and stability. “Church School is a team effort,” says Megan, “and I want everyone to know that their talents and skills are welcome, anytime, for a one-time visit, or as an ongoing contribution.”
Susan Whitten
Parish and welcoming Administrator
Susan, along with her husband Alan and their four children, has been an active member of Christ Church Bells Corners since the early 1990s.
Susan joined our staff part time in 2008. She served as our Church School Coordinator and then as our Director of Children’s and Welcoming Ministries. She now serves as Parish Administrator. Susan has also served at CCBC as a volunteer church school coordinator, Atrium catechist, synod delegate, and parish council member.
Susan’s wide range of interests, commitments, and creative gifts has seen her involvement in church and community expand over the years. Whether it was her time as a Girl Guide Leader and District Commissioner, or as a basketball and rugby mom involved at many levels of the sport, Susan brings a great deal of energy, enthusiasm, and know-how to all that she does.
Email: ccbc.churchoffice@gmail.com