Who We Are

Rooted in place, tradition and history, Salal + Cedar is a ministry of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster that strives to be accessible to all bodies. We meet regularly for worship outdoors, education and action. We are part of a growing movement across Turtle Island (North America) of communities of Christians re-connecting to the creation-values and land covenants at the core of our tradition.

Watershed Discipleship refers both to watersheds as natural geographic divisions and to the fact that we are at a watershed moment in terms of climate crisis.

Leadership Team

  • Caitlin Beck

    WARDEN

    Caitlin (she/her, he/him, they/them) is starting their 3rd year as warden and he has been involved since the start, 6+ years ago. She says, “Sacred Earth Camp is close to my heart: I love seeing how children and young people live out their vocations in the Church wider community.”

  • Sarah Bjorknas

    COUNCIL MEMBER

    Sarah (she/they) has been connected to S+C pretty much since it began and loves to include outdoor worship and the practice of Watershed Discipleship in their activities of faith and justice. A co-founder of the Vancouver Catholic Worker and a labour activist, Sarah feels strongly about the need to build and nurture diverse communities of humans and more-than-humans. She often brings a dog to church and tries to share her organizing skills with the Council.

  • Jan Constantinescu

    WARDEN

    Jan Constantinescu (she/her) is starting their first year as warden person and was introduced to Salal+Cedar by its sibling community, Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin. She also is a member of Fairview Baptist and values the commitment to social justice and relationship building.

  • Laurel Dykstra

    PRIEST

    Laurel (no pronouns or they/them if you have to) started Salal + Cedar as a place for sacramental practice in nature and concrete action for ecological justice, but found community along the way. Laurel is responsible for both the big picture and coordinating moving parts.

  • Emily Ann Garcia

    COMMUNICATIONS

    Emily Ann (she/they) joined Salal + Cedar staff in May 2022. They are responsible for the overall communications strategizing and execution, along with Laurel. She is also a member of Open Way Community church.

  • Francis Hart D’Emilio

    COUNCIL MEMBER

    Francis Hart D’Emilio (he/him) began worshipping with Salal + Cedar in 2022 after a long search for an affirming and creative faith community devoted to caring for Creation. He keeps the Celtic Wheel of the Year blended with Southern Italian folk Catholicism. He hears the voice of the Creator most clearly in the non-human world of plants, animals and elementals, especially when working in his vegetable garden. Francis currently serves on Council as the liaison to the Mutual Aid and Solidarity Team.

  • Elizabeth Mathers

    DEACON

    In addition diaconal duties, Elizabeth (she/her) tends our Coleman Creek habitat restoration project, leads contemplative walks and keeps the Celtic wheel of the year. She is drawn to the community’s celebration of the Sacred in Creation and has been a part of the community from the earliest stages.

  • Benjamin Wilder

    COUNCIL MEMBER

    Benjamin (they/them) has been hanging out with S+C in various capacities for sundry exploits since 2018, and is currently a council member. S+C’s heart for justice is what drew them to the community, and the queerness and neurodiversity have kept them coming back.

  • Becky Barnes

    COUNCIL MEMBER

  • Emira Mears

    TREASURER

  • Corvus Corax

    COMMON RAVEN

    At S+C our practice of Watershed Discipleship means that we take seriously listening to the wisdom of the creatures, plants, geology and waterways of Coast Salish territory and that we seek to follow Indigenous leadership in caring for and defending the land.