Allan Saunders & Megumi Matsuo Saunders
NOTE: Allan & Megumi have become close personal friends over the years. Thanks to them, I consider First-Metropolitan United Church in Victoria as a sort of second home. From the annual “Epiphany Explorations” conference to the “Imagine” evening worship services to just “hanging out”... my life has been deeply enriched by this kindred spirit relationship. RK
Allan and Megumi met in Toronto, Ontario at the Centre for Christian Studies (now located in Winnipeg, Manitoba). A year after their wedding, Allan was ordained. They moved to their current residence in Victoria, British Columbia in 1999 following 22 years on the prairies. They both minister at First-Metropolitan United Church, Victoria, British Columbia where Allan is Lead Minister and Megumi’s ministry is with Children, Youth, Young Adults and Families. First-Metropolitan has become home for a variety of educational, community issue, and spirituality events, including Epiphany Explorations.
One of the numerous highlights during Allan’s time as President of the Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario was his leadership as part of the church’s response to the Red River “Flood of the Century”. During this same period of time, Allan organized an all-day festival to mark the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women which was attended by 3,000 persons. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Victoria University (Emmanuel College, University of Toronto) in 2003.
Megumi is a third generation Christian from Nara, Japan. Besides children’s issues, Megumi is involved in women’s issues in the global context. This has led to women-to-women visits and meetings in such locales as Kenya, Beijing, Sudan, and New Delhi. She serves as President of the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, bringing a particular interest in related justice issues.
Currently, Allan and Megumi are part of a six-minister team chosen for an S3 Project at Columbia Seminary, Atlanta. Their project, funded by the Lily Foundation, will allow them to focus on the topic of lay leadership over the next two years.
Megumi and Allan both delight in bridge-building initiatives and creating partnerships wherever kindred spirits are found.