Minister:
Rev. Ariel Siagan
As a part-time supply minister, he will be with us from January 1st until December 31st, 2024.
Rev Siagan is currently finishing his PhD thesis at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He completed his Master’s in Theology in Seoul, South Korea and then gained six years of congregational ministry experience in the Philippines. He also has ten years of ecumenical experience with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
Please pray for Rev Siagan and for all of us as a community of faith that we open our hearts and minds to each other’s ministry as we begin this new pastoral relationship.
Music Director:
Adam Falconi
Adam is a freelance musician in the GTA. He works as a performer and background artist in Toronto’s film and TV industry, completing contracts for networks like HBO, Netflix, CBC, Paramount, and Disney.
He performs regularly as a percussionist with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, and Rose Orchestra. He is also a contractor for the Canadian Armed Forces Bands and plays at weddings and corporate events for Main Event Music, as well as his own bands.
As a pianist, Adam accompanies the Brampton Festival Singers. He runs music outreach programs at daycares and early childhood centers, performing live concerts to inspire young children.
From 2010-2018, Adam toured with Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines as a drummer and music director. From 2018-2020, he toured with the YouTube musical act ‘Postmodern Jukebox’. Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Adam now lives in Toronto with his wife and son.
Office Administrator: Amrita A
The office administrator handles the administration aspect of the church and is available from Monday to Thursday between 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Appointments are preferred to ensure information is available to avoid delays.
If you have any questions regarding special services, baptisms, etc. you can either email your inquires to secretary@asburyandwest.org or call the church during the office hours mentioned above at 416-783-6503 for assistance.
We accept donations and welcome everyone to our worship services.
Alvaro Perez Castanero
My name is Alvaro and I was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. I graduated from Journalism in Uruguay and after a few years I move to Canada in 1996.
Since then I’ve lived in Toronto. I have a daughter who is 15 years old. I live with my wife Alejandra who is from Uruguay too.
I’ve been working for the United Church for 15 years as a custodian. I started with Asbury and West two years ago.
My hobbies are reading, especially everything concerning with world history and I love to watch Soccer.
It has given me such pleasure working with the people in this church; they are very friendly and cooperative.
Our Staff
History
Asbury and West United Church, with a proud history dating back to 1812, has always embraced change to better serve our congregation and community. In the 1950s, we expanded with a beautiful new sanctuary designed by the renowned architect Douglas E. Kertland, reflecting our growth and vitality.
Today, we're excited to embark on a new chapter. Although our congregation has become smaller, we're determined to adapt once again. We envisioned a modern, eco-friendly church on our property, but the City has asked us to preserve our cherished 1958 sanctuary as a heritage site. While renovating will be a greater investment than building new, we're embracing this challenge with optimism and creativity.
We're committed to creating a space that honors our rich history while meeting the needs of our congregation and community for years to come. This is an exciting opportunity to blend the past with the future, ensuring that Asbury and West continues to thrive!