Bri-anne Swan

Social and Ecological Justice and Communication Minister

Phone: 416-231-7680  |  1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6773
Email: bswan@united-church.ca

Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council

Location: Teleworks and works in the Toronto Office

 Bri-anne encourages and connects communities of faith with matters of faith and justice, supports the engagement of volunteer-led networks and provides oversight to the regional communication strategy. Contact Bri-anne about: Communication oversight: communication policy; social media. Social and Eco-Justice: Anti-racism; Creation care/environment; Justice And Faith; Poverty; Homelessness; Guaranteed income. 

Responsibilities

Bri-anne strives to support individuals and communities in living a life of faith that includes both justice seeking and doing. Bri-anne is the regional point person on justice issues campaigns and related networks and events.  Together with Kim she supports the anti-racism work of the regional council.

Bri-anne creates content and curates resources for communities of faith to engage in justice-seeking.  She hosts a regular “do justice” podcast that tackles timely issues. 

Bri-anne oversees the regional communication strategy and works with the administrative team to manage the regional website and social media channels. Skilled in multimedia resource production, Bri-anne feels rewarded when a congregation uses these materials to deepen the conversation beyond where they have been able to go in the past.

Bri-anne provides staff support for the Ecological and Social Justice Commission.

Bri-anne Swan (she/her) Experience and Biography 

Bri-anne is a lifelong United Church member. Her local church was within walking distance of the farm where she grew up in Oro-Medonte. 

Bri-anne’s path to ministry began in an unplanned way in a response to the call for an experimental position in the Living Presence Ministry in East Gwillimbury.  That vision of ministry beyond the congregational model began her path to candidacy.  

She has been involved with advocacy and accompaniment since her teens and holds a particular interest in issues and intersections connected to income inequality, scapegoating of vulnerable populations, and the criminal justice system. Her experience in Living Presence Ministry prompted her to reflect on the role of a privileged voice in advocacy work, a question she continues to carry forward. 

Bri-anne is a friend and accompanier to men on Texas’ death row and continues to be humbled by the lessons on power, redemption and love she has witnessed through these relationships. 

Bri-anne is a candidate for ordered ministry and is part of the diaconal program at the Centre for Christian Studies. In addition, Bri-anne is working towards her Masters of Theological Studies at St. Andrew’s College at the University of Saskatchewan. Bri-anne will be commissioned in May 2021.

Bri-anne is the eldest in her family of origin. She has recently moved to Toronto where she lives with her partner and their two children in the east end.