Our Leadership Team
Rev. Simone Hurkmans
Incumbent
The Rev. Simone Hurkmans grew up in Embrun, Ontario and moved to southern Ontario to study mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo. After graduation, she spent 10 years working as a professional engineer and manager in the automotive and renewable energy fields. Simone and her husband John met as engineering students at Waterloo. They live in Westboro with their two daughters and their son.
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While an active parishioner at All Saints’ Westboro, Simone was surprised by a calling to ordained ministry, and began to respond to it in 2012. She completed a Master of Divinity in Anglican Studies at St. Paul University in 2017. Her formation also included chaplaincy training at the Ottawa Hospital and parish internships, including: St. Luke’s in downtown Ottawa, the parish of Metcalfe, Greely and Vernon in south Ottawa and St. Paul’s Kanata. She was ordained to the transitional deaconate and the priesthood in 2017. After ordination, Simone served as Assistant Curate and subsequently as Associate Incumbent at All Saints’ Westboro. She then became Incumbent of the parishes of St Alban-the-Martyr and the francophone La Communauté St Bernard followed by being Interim Priest-in-Charge of Emmanuel Church in Arnprior. Simone also serves as an on-call staff chaplain at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital.
She enjoys knitting, interior design, and playing, coaching and watching her daughters play ringette. She loves connecting over a good cup of coffee, so please reach out anytime to schedule an appointment.
Lay Leadership
Gennaro Busa
Music and Choir Director
Gennaro is a loving husband to Emma and proud father of Jacob and Gabrielle.
Gennaro was born and raised in Ottawa – Dunrobin to be precise. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. By day, he teaches Music, Visual Art, and Drama to the grade 7 & 8 students at Immaculata High School. By night, he sings as a tenor with the Cantata Singers of Ottawa.
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Gennaro started playing the piano at the age of 4, and music has been a part of his life ever since. His journey as a church musician began at St. Isidore Catholic Church when he was in 10th grade. A good friend coaxed him into joining the choirs at church and at school (although he had never sung in a choir before) and he has never looked back. He went on to sing in the choirs at Ottawa University and as a choral scholar at St. John the Evangelist, followed by a few years accompanying the choir at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Gennaro was introduced to Epiphany by his wife Emma who grew up in the parish, and they got married here in July 2013.
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Come say hi if you can catch him chasing a toddler around. He’s always happy to talk music or to hear what you thought about the selections. And if being in the choir interests you at all, don’t be shy!
Dr. Daniel Furtado
Organist/Pianist
Daniel was chosen in summer 2022 following a rigorous search process led by our Music Director Gennaro Busa and a selection committee comprising Chunson Park, Alice Alexander, Rev. Arran and Judith.
Daniel is an accomplished musician and holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from UBC. He also has extensive experience performing, teaching and accompanying, including in churches and with church choirs.
While the members of the Selection Committee were impressed by his musicality and artistry, they were also struck by his warmth and his understanding of how important our organist is for our congregation's worship.
Parish Council
Parish Council acts on all matters referred to it by Vestry. Vestry is the annual general meeting of Epiphany parishioners, which takes place in February. All members of the congregation are welcome to attend.
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This year's Vestry was on Sunday, February 18, after the 10:30 a.m. service (in person only). Read this year's Vestry circular.
Among other things, Parish Council
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Helps the incumbent develop policy and Christian education programs
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Makes recommendations to the budget, written financial statements, and any other matter affecting parish responsibilities
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Encourages regular attendance at church services
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Everyone is welcome to read Parish Council minutes.
Past Leadership
Warmest thanks to
Rev. Cathy Davis for leading us through summer and fall 2022.
Rev. Cathy, who joined us while Rev. Arran was on sabbatical, return to Epiphany in early September as interim Priest-in-Charge and remained with us through November.
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Rev. Cathy was born in Kingston, Ontario. Her father served in the Canadian Armed Forces, and while growing up, she lived in a number of different places, including Saskatchewan, Texas, Kingston, England, Alberta and Ottawa. Cathy attended secondary school and university in Ottawa. At Carleton University, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration. Later, she studied at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wycliffe College.
Cathy admits that as a child, her aim in life was simply to grow up to be “a good person.” A fitting goal for someone who eventually became an Anglican priest!
Rev. Arran Thorpe
Incumbent Priest 2021-2022
Rev. Arran has moved to Halifax, and we were sad to see him go -- but happy for him and his family as he returned to his Maritime roots. We are very thankful for the blessings he gave us while he was here.
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We sent him off in style with a BBQ, video, gifts and lots of Dad jokes, of course. Several folks from Rev. Arran's previous parish, Trinity Anglican Church here in Ottawa (including incumbent Rev. Mark Whittall), came out to celebrate. It was lovely to hear their heartfelt words and see their smiling faces. Epiphany has made some new friends!
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Chunson Park
Organist, retired
Chunson Park came to Epiphany in 2004 to serve the Lord through the role of Organist and Choir Director. In 2018, she resigned from the Choir Director due to a health issue but continues today to happily deliver music by playing the organ and piano, as well as teaching children bible songs. Chunson graduated from University of British Columbia, Juilliard, and Boston University (DMA).
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We pulled out all the stops and celebrated Chunson's retirement in June 2022 with a potluck lunch and a video, as well as gifts. We look forward to seeing her back as a member of the choir!
Rev. Alana McCord
Curate: 2018 -2020
Interim Priest-in-Charge 2020-2021
Rev. Geoffrey Chapman
Incumbent Priest 2012-2020
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