Roz Vincent-Haven will begin her ministry among the good people at Wesley United on September 1, 2006. She is thrilled with the opportunity to serve a diverse and daring Christian community which names itself as spiritually searching, seeking transformation in God, sharing love for each other and those named as stranger and doing justice in God's World! Roz hopes that together we can move these words into action here at Wesley creating a caring centre of light for all in our community. Roz says she can't wait to begin the journey with us.

Working toward the dream of community where each person belongs, is truly valued and is empowered to share their unique gifts to the benefit of the whole has been a life long passion for Roz . Since her daughter Beth was born twenty six years ago with an extra chromosome resulting in Down syndrome, Roz has lived the reality of standing with someone society sees as not able and relegated to the margins as dependent and needy. "We often only look at the surface of someone different from our self, " says Vincent-Haven, "and miss the wonderful and special gifts that person brings behind the mask of societal stereotypes."

Growing up in Toronto has given Roz an openness to embrace diversity and value the remarkable mosaic of humanity. "Even as a young child" she explains, " when I looked at my mother's garden I could see the pansies growing contentedly next to the roses, enhancing the beauty of each and I wondered why people chose to exclude and divide instead of welcome and delight."

It was the call to work with others for the intentional inclusion of all into the Church that brought Roz to Diaconal ministry. "I believe that God, who is community, calls us into community. Not just some of us but all of us. Jesus broke the tribal barriers and divisions of his time to welcome 'the different' and we, as his body the church, must do the same. It seems fitting that when she was commissioned in 1997 by Hamilton Conference she described her ministry like a dandelion. "Its has a very deep root to keep it grounded, has a bright sunny hopeful face, counts on God to keep it going and grows despite adversity and exclusion. I like dandelions. They are persistent and determined. Ministry in the 21st century needs to be like that," she said.

Roz has served congregations in transition within Erie, Halton and Waterloo Presbyteries and has just completed a successful Intentional Interim Ministry with the Church of the Good Shepherd, a Swedenborgian congregation in Kitchener. She is currently Past President of Hamilton Conference and was a Commissioner to the 39th General Council of the United Church in Thunder Bay this August. As well, she continues to serve as a Conflict Resolution Facilitator and a consultant for the Conference Committee on Sexual Abuse for Hamilton Conference.

Roz is married to Lynne Thomson-Haven and together they share Beth who lives with them in Waterloo. Their son Brian is married, lives and teaches in Oakville. No grand babies yet but recently a "grand puppy."

Roz loves to sing, dance, read, listen to music, canoe, camp and spend time with her family. She is very excited to both empower and be empowered by the Wesley Church family and walk with them into a bright future full of God's possibilities.