Our Staff
Dawn Duncliffe, director of music
Dawn has served as the Director of Music at Dunbarton-Fairport United Church since 2009, overseeing all aspects of the church’s music ministry. A graduate of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, she studied flute with Peg Albrecht, Michelle Cheramy, and Penelope Clarke, studied piano with Eric MacKeracher and Joy Fahrenbruck, and studied choral conducting with Allan Bevan. As a choral singer, she has worked with many conductors, including Hilary Apfelstadt, Mark Vuorinen, Lee Willingham, Stephanie Martin, and Mark Sirett. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Summer Institute of Church Music in Whitby, ON, and on the Executive of Music United, which promotes music ministries, and supports those who provide music leadership, in the United Church.
In addition to her church work, Dawn is a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music, maintaining a private studio in Pickering. She enjoys reading (especially historical fiction), small town adventures, and spending time with her three adult children.
telephone: 905-839-7271
email: music.director@dunbartonfairport.on.ca
Carolyn Sellers, office administrator
A resident of south Pickering since the early seventies, Carolyn has been the office administrator at Dunbarton-Fairport United Church since August 2023. She loves her job and the opportunity that it gives to work with the many fine people of the congregation. And it offers a good way for her to keep occupied in between her split shifts as a crossing guard for the Town of Ajax, serving Lincoln Avenue Public School and St. Francis de Sales Catholic School.
Carolyn’s son has the Canadian Tire dealership in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. And her daughter is a legal assistant with a prominent downtown Toronto law firm.
Carolyn and her husband Tom enjoy spending time at their trailer on the shores of upper Buckhorn Lake in the Curve Lake First Nation.
The office administrator’s hours are normally Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The church office is closed on Fridays.
telephone: 905-839-7271
email: dfunited@dunbartonfairport.on.ca
Don Willmer, minister
Don was appointed to Dunbarton-Fairport United Church as half-time supply minister, as of January 1, 2025. He brings thirty years of experience in pastoral ministry. Since ordination in 1994, he and his spouse Elaine served together in team ministry to a five-point charge in Cape Breton, a two-point charge in eastern Ontario, and most recently for thirteen years at Port Perry United Church.
In the wider church, Don served as chairperson of Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery and Renfrew Presbytery, as secretary of Toronto South Presbytery, and as treasurer of Lakeridge Presbytery. He chaired the Bay of Quinte Conference Finance Committee for four years, and served on the national Manual Committee for 19 years. Over that time he edited six editions of the United Church Manual, the denomination’s book of rules and procedures.
Don grew up in East York, and attended Queen’s University in Kingston and the University of Toronto. He practised law in downtown Toronto for seven years, before entering seminary.
Don has been active in community theatre and musical theatre in Toronto, Perth, and Port Perry. He currently sings with two Uxbridge-based chamber choirs. He and Elaine have three adult children.
The minister’s office hours are normally Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
telephone: 905-839-7271
email: minister@dunbartonfairport.on.ca
In the event of a pastoral emergency, you can call Don at home, 1-905-985-1633, leaving a message if necessary.