Board, Sobor, Servants - St. John the Compassionate Mission

    On this page:
    Board of Directors
Sobor
Servants of the Community

Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors is a legal requirement of the government of Canada for all registered charities. The Board is responsible to the government for the proper ordering of the material and financial affairs of the life of the Mission. The Board of Directors is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the Letters Patent under which the Mission is incorporated by the supervising Ontario ministry. Board members come from a variety of backgrounds and skills.
The Board of Directors of the Mission is the legal owner of the buildings of the Mission, and holds them in trust for the good and welfare of the poor. The buildings are not owned by the church or the diocese. The Board of Directors is responsible to ensure that adequate funds are raised for the work of the Mission. The Board of Directors must meet at least four times a year. Every year, and annual general meeting is held to approve the auditor’s reoprt, appoint an auditor for the coming year, and if need be elect new board memebers. The board members are elected by the membership of the Mission.
St. John’s Board Members:
Fr. Eugene Morishita-Miki (chair)
Frank Petras (treasurer)
Sindu Bogale
Elena Constantin
Daniel Gray
J. Curtis McDonnell
Mary Padma
Chris Vanderwees
 
Sobor (Community Council)Leadership in the Community of St. John the Compassionate Mission is based on the Orthodox concept of Sobornost – of persons working together for the good of all in the image of the Holy Trinity, and in mutual self-emptying.
The membership of St. John the Compassionate Mission is made up of the Sobor members, according to the Mission by-laws. Members of the Sobor must be involved in the day-to-day life of the Mission, and have a history with the Mission of at least five years.
At the invitation of the permanent members of the Sobor, any person can be invited to be a temporary member of the Sobor for one year. Permanent members of the Sobor are defined by the Rule. Decisions of the Sobor are normally reached by consensus.
 
        Servants of the Community
        
                Father Nicolaie Atitienei

                MSW, RSW, MA Psych.

                Executive Director

Originally from Romania, Father completed four years of seminary at the University of Timisoara (Romania) where he acquired a Master’s in social psychology and theology. In Canada, he completed his Master’s in social work from U of T.
Father is sought out for counseling by people from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures.
            
Father Deacon Pawel

                LTS Prefect

                Deacon Pawel Mucha came to St. John’s in 2007, planning to stay for one year. Originally from the UK, he previously had a career in teaching. A spiritual son of Archbishop Anthony of Sourozh, he frequented Father Lev and Elder Sophrony of Sussex. Ordained as a deacon for the Mission in 2010, he is now Prefect of the Lived Theology School at the Mission. He is appreciated for his encyclopedic knowledge of church history, and dry Scottish sense of humour.
              
Angela

                Computers, audio-visual, web & communication
                 
George

                Community Cellarer

                Our economos, from 5 a.m. on George takes good care of everything the community receives.
              
Miroslava

                Starosta

                Miroslava is married, a mother of two, and a recent retiree from the financial world. “I am blessed to serve as Starosta in our humble community. I serve with joy and reverence, with faith in our church and gospel. I care for all people of God, and humbly I am in service of the poor and the church, working along with our spiritual Fathers and the Sobor. With all my heart I rejoice to serve in humility, to help take care of people, to give and receive blessings, and to pray in our chapel. I am truly blessed to be part of our community.”
              
Johan

                Johan lends a steady presence at the door during the early mornings at St. John’s.
              
Jacqueline

                Chief sweet-maker at St. John’s Bakery

                Jacqueline is from Mexico. She makes food that tastes very good.
            
Mary

                Mary is a kind soul who reminds us weekly about the most precious gift of our community — the gentleness and love of the poor. Mary, the community’s representative, is also a founding member of the Thursday singing club.
               
Erin and Tammy

                Erin and Tammy are chief bakers at St. John’s Bakery.
                
Tatiana

                Iconographer
            
Chris Vanderwees

                Chris is a registered psychotherapist, working with St. Macrina Counselling Services from the Mission. He is also an active member in the community’s life.
              
Brother Luke

                  Prior

                  Brother Luke is a Brother of Mercy, serving as a leader in the community. He coordinates all the volunteers, and is responsible for outreach to other communities and churches in the city. He also coordinates the community advisory council.
              
Diane

                Diane has worked in the ‘front end’ of St. John’s Bakery for many years. She greets customers with her Maritime charm.
            
Linda

                  Advisory Council President

                  Linda has a long, celebrated background as an advocate for housing and mental health in Toronto. An active member in the daily life of the Mission, she was elected president in June of 2023.

Mary

                Director of Good Neighbours Drop-In

                Mary has lived in Scarborough since 1999, and lived in the Middle East before coming to Canada. Originally from Sri Lanka, she is a social service worker, and speaks Sinhalese, Tamil, Arabic, Hindi, and of course English. She likes to travel a lot, and enjoys cooking and conversations.
              
Ozcan

                Ozcan assists in organization of the day, and welcomes community members and people with disabilities, helping them to integrate into the community. Ozcan first came to the Mission as a placement student; he returned to support the Mission’s disabilities program. He has since taught us many lessons about hospitality.
            
Sandra and Membere

                Sandra and Membere cook breakfast at St. John’s Mission together, from 5-8:30 a.m., Tuesday through Friday.
Sandra initially worked at Good Neighbors before coming to St. John’s. She shares her beautiful voice and Tamil repertoire with the community at its morning service.
Membere (Mimi) was introduced to the community through her grassroots community work finding emergency housing for Ethiopian newcomers to the city. We hope this collaboration will continue.
              
Jacob
Jacob helps with the Mission’s Abilities Program, which integrates people with disabilities into our shared community.
              
Kidan
Kidan has recently joined us from Ethiopia, she helps with the Mission’s Cooking Program, which integrates people into helping prep food for our community meals.

©2024 St. John the Compassionate Mission
416-466-1357 | info@stjohnsmission.org
155 Broadview Avenue, Toronto M4M 2E9
Charitable Registration #893281832RR0001

Father Nicolaie Atitienei MSW, RSW, MA Psych. Executive Director Originally from Romania, Father completed four years of seminary at the University of Timisoara (Romania) where he acquired a Master’s in social psychology and theology. In Canada, he completed his Master’s in social work from U of T. Father is sought out for counseling by people from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures.
Father Deacon Pawel LTS Prefect Deacon Pawel Mucha came to St. John’s in 2007, planning to stay for one year. Originally from the UK, he previously had a career in teaching. A spiritual son of Archbishop Anthony of Sourozh, he frequented Father Lev and Elder Sophrony of Sussex. Ordained as a deacon for the Mission in 2010, he is now Prefect of the Lived Theology School at the Mission. He is appreciated for his encyclopedic knowledge of church history, and dry Scottish sense of humour.	Angela Computers, audio-visual, web & communication	George Community Cellarer Our economos, from 5 a.m. on George takes good care of everything the community receives.
Miroslava Starosta Miroslava is married, a mother of two, and a recent retiree from the financial world. “I am blessed to serve as Starosta in our humble community. I serve with joy and reverence, with faith in our church and gospel. I care for all people of God, and humbly I am in service of the poor and the church, working along with our spiritual Fathers and the Sobor. With all my heart I rejoice to serve in humility, to help take care of people, to give and receive blessings, and to pray in our chapel. I am truly blessed to be part of our community.”	Johan Johan lends a steady presence at the door during the early mornings at St. John’s.	Jacqueline Chief sweet-maker at St. John’s Bakery Jacqueline is from Mexico. She makes food that tastes very good.
Mary Mary is a kind soul who reminds us weekly about the most precious gift of our community — the gentleness and love of the poor. Mary, the community’s representative, is also a founding member of the Thursday singing club.	Erin and Tammy Erin and Tammy are chief bakers at St. John’s Bakery.	Tatiana Iconographer
Chris Vanderwees Chris is a registered psychotherapist, working with St. Macrina Counselling Services from the Mission. He is also an active member in the community’s life.	Brother Luke Prior Brother Luke is a Brother of Mercy, serving as a leader in the community. He coordinates all the volunteers, and is responsible for outreach to other communities and churches in the city. He also coordinates the community advisory council.	Diane Diane has worked in the ‘front end’ of St. John’s Bakery for many years. She greets customers with her Maritime charm.
Linda Advisory Council President Linda has a long, celebrated background as an advocate for housing and mental health in Toronto. An active member in the daily life of the Mission, she was elected president in June of 2023.	Mary Director of Good Neighbours Drop-In Mary has lived in Scarborough since 1999, and lived in the Middle East before coming to Canada. Originally from Sri Lanka, she is a social service worker, and speaks Sinhalese, Tamil, Arabic, Hindi, and of course English. She likes to travel a lot, and enjoys cooking and conversations.	Ozcan Ozcan assists in organization of the day, and welcomes community members and people with disabilities, helping them to integrate into the community. Ozcan first came to the Mission as a placement student; he returned to support the Mission’s disabilities program. He has since taught us many lessons about hospitality.
Sandra and Membere Sandra and Membere cook breakfast at St. John’s Mission together, from 5-8:30 a.m., Tuesday through Friday. Sandra initially worked at Good Neighbors before coming to St. John’s. She shares her beautiful voice and Tamil repertoire with the community at its morning service. Membere (Mimi) was introduced to the community through her grassroots community work finding emergency housing for Ethiopian newcomers to the city. We hope this collaboration will continue.	Jacob Jacob helps with the Mission’s Abilities Program, which integrates people with disabilities into our shared community.	Kidan Kidan has recently joined us from Ethiopia, she helps with the Mission’s Cooking Program, which integrates people into helping prep food for our community meals.