Our Team

Co-Pastor Tanya Ramer is a native of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. She studied at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary after feeling called to share the message of God's love for the world by living her faith and empowering others to do the same. Through her studies she also discovered an enthusiasm and affinity for youth and family ministry and pastoral visitation. Pastor (or more formally, Reverend) Tanya began her service at Mount Zion in June of 2002, immediately after her seminary graduation and ordination.

Initially, Pastor Tanya earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Dalhousie University in Sociology. She earned her Master of Divinity from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in 2002, and then her Masters in Theology (specialty in Pastoral Counselling) in 2008.

Most recently, she has been working to find ways to communicate with busy families through Computer Mediated Communication (Facebook and MSN Messenger), and to offer alternative methods for keeping the lines of communication open. Co-Pastor Ramer is passionate about people and building relationships of faith and trust.

Co-Pastor Krister Ulmanis joined our ministry team recently, after serving Lutheran congregations in Belleville, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines and Hanover, Ontario. He also assisted Latvian and Swedish-speaking congregations in various communities. (Reverend Ulmanis is fluent in English, Swedish and Latvian)

Born in Sweden, he came to Canada in 1974 and initially studied sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University. After working in banking and health services, he felt a call to the Christian ministry and entered Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.

After graduation and ordination in 1991, Pastor Krister began his ministry career in Hanover. In the ensuing years, he discovered his greatest passion and strengths are focused in the areas of worship, preaching and meeting people "where they are in their faith and personal journey in life". Co-Pastor Ulmanis accepted a call to our congregation in January of 2009.

Scott Knarr, Director of Music is a native of Kitchener and returned to Waterloo Region in 2007 to join our ministry team here at Mount Zion. He has served as Director of Music at Maisonneuve Presbyterian Church in Montreal and Trinity Anglican Church in Ottawa. He has also served on the Centre Executive of the Royal Canadian College of Organists in both Montreal and Kitchener.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor. He also completed a Certificate in French as a Second Language from Laval University in Quebec City and holds the Colleague Diploma of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Scott favours a collaborative, team-based approach to music ministry. He draws on different skill levels, diverse musical styles and a variety of instruments to create an eclectic soundscape to praise God in our worship life.

Betty Behm, Parish Nurse. A registered nurse, Betty Behm became the first parish nurse in Waterloo Region when she joined Mount Zion's ministry team in 1997. Since then, she has worked with the congregation's Health Council to provide services that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

As well as providing blood pressure clinics, arranging educational programs, answering questions about community health services and providing contact information, Betty also works closely with our pastors to offer comfort and spiritual support to individuals and families.

Health - as well as spiritual - ministry has its roots in early Christianity, when churches often provided the only health care services available to their communities. Today, such ministry is again a natural part of our caring.

Muriel Tillich, Church Secretary. The friendly voice of Muriel Tillich is usually the first greeting visitors hear when they telephone or drop in to Mount Zion's administrative office. A prime contact for members as well as visitors, Muriel is responsible for the daily operation of the office. That means handling telephone calls and correspondence, as well as assigning and managing the use of church meeting rooms and facilities; keeping track of schedules, committees, and records of congregational membership and giving.

Muriel assists with the preparation and printing of worship and meeting materials, bulletins and newsletters. She also provides administrative backup to our pastors, and helps out with any 'miscellaneous situations that arise'.Loosely translated, that means she lends a helping hand to ministry team members, as well as church councillors and committee members, when unusual needs arise - which they do, and have been regularly - ever since she began her part-time role as Secretary in 1991!

Muriel is a great source for congregational information and contacts.