Minister for Worship, Christian Formation, and Pastoral Care

Greg Smith-Young is no longer serving as Hope Springs United Church's minister. He has moved on to another role with the United Church of Canada. We are currently searching for a new minister.

In the meantime, please direct messages as follows:

Hope Springs UC in general: Doris Detta: office@hopespringsunited.ca (she is in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays)

Pastoral Care: don.bonnie1@gmail.com

Funerals: worship@hopespringsunited.ca

Worship: worship@hopespringsunited.ca

Finances & Property: finance@hopespringsunited.ca

If you need to reach Greg . . .

Growth Animator work:GSmith-Young@United-Church.ca

Personal: gsmithyoung@gmail.com

Minister for Children and Youth

Barb enjoys exploring how to be a follower of Jesus with children, youth and parents. Having grown up in a home where faith was woven into everyday life, she strives to encourage and equip others to do the same.

Barb joined our leadership team in 2008. In case you haven’t guessed, she is married to Greg. Although Barb has been in a paid position within the church since 2008, she has been serving with children and youth since her late teenage years.

Barb has a very varied employment history (Registered Nurse, childcare provider, swimming and piano instructor, residence don) but there is one common thread through all her most loved experiences – her passion for children and youth.

She loves playing hide and go seek games in darkened churches, and any game involving a rubber chicken! She likes to sing, plays the piano, and is determined to learn guitar.

Barb is a designated lay minister within the United Church of Canada.

Music Leader

Office Administrator

Along with her husband Ron, Doris has lived in Fergus for over 45 years and has a strong connection with the community. They have three daughters and are blessed with five grandchildren. She retired in 2020 after a long career in the legal field at a local law firm. In her free time she enjoys baking, reading, walking, crafting, volunteering at the local hospital and thrift store and spending time with family and friends.

Bookkeeper & Treasurer

Jim serves as our bookkeeper. He is also a member of our Official Board’s Stewardship committee and acts as our congregation's Treasurer.

Newly retired, Jim was a Client Services Veterinarian at the University of Guelph. Before that he practiced veterinary medicine in Mount Forest. In 2002-2003 he worked with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) as a veterinarian in China.

In his spare time Jim enjoys cycling, triathlons, astrophotography and aviation, and his grandchildren.

Building Cleaner