Our Staff

Our Team

Christopher New

Minister, Musician, Composer

Chris (he/him) is passionate about his spiritual leadership within the SSUC community. Among other things, Chris interprets expansive spirituality for all ages, helping each person to seek wisdom from diverse sources and deepen their knowing along their unique spiritual journeys. As a writer and composer, he writes new music for community singing that expresses our deepest spirituality for the 21st century regardless of creed, tradition or custom. His song books, “Our Highest Values” (2016) and “We’ve Got the Strength” (2017) are both available in the SSUC store.

Chris also relishes his time in leadership with our community’s children. He curates and prepares our weekly “Time For All Ages” which features books and stories relating to the values we all wish to live by to help guide our everyday living. Family time, nerdy pop-culture stuff and quiet creative pursuits are some of his favourite things.

Zoe Chaytors

Emberwood Guide

Zoe (she/her) is a registered Social Worker who currently resides on Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta where she grew up. Her passions in life are dichotomous. She loves to work with other people in helping capacities and seeks out solitude in nature as often as she can. She has been working with SSUC and Emberwood since 2018.  Zoe enjoys curling up on the couch with a good book and her two cats, Benny and Joon. She can often be found exploring Mill Creek Ravine on foot or by bike.

Alison Brooks-Starks

Emberwood Guide

Alison (she/her) is an educator and ecotherapy-informed spiritual ally in Edmonton, Alberta. With a background in both improv and spiritual care, a fun, wild and meaningful time is bound to happen! Alison has particular experience working with kids, youth, young adults, people who are 2SLGBTQIA+ and in areas of grief and spiritual allyship. She has a degree in Education, a Certificate of Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a Certificate of Spiritual Care. Her outdoor highlights include playing with fire from a young age, leading at camps for over 15 years and starting two trans camps, and paddling 28 days alone from Edmonton, AB, to Prince Albert, SK – it only snowed once!

Aynsley New

Office Administrator

Aynsley (she/her) has been SSUC’s administrator since 2013. When you enter the office, she’ll greet you with a warm welcome, whether she’s meeting familiar friends or newcomers to our space. Drop in or call during office hours with anything you might need and she’ll provide you with an answer to your question or point you in a great direction. In her spare time, you’ll find Aynsley with a good book or catching up with her two sisters!

Bruce McCaron

Facility Manager

Bruce (he/him) has been with SSUC since 2021, caring and managing all things related to our SSUC facility. He has 30 years of experience as a custodian and general maintenance provider and no matter what he’s doing in and around the building, Bruce brings his positive attitude, pride in his work and his willingness to develop relationships with our staff, SSUC participants and other building users.