Biography
Rev. Audrius Sarka
Rev. Audrius Sarka was born in Klaipėda, Lithuania, a coastal city shaped by music, culture, and faith. From a young age, he was drawn to beauty and creativity, studying at the School of Arts where he learned to play guitar — a gift that would later become part of his ministry and his way of connecting with others.
At 18, Audrius entered the Franciscan Order (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), beginning a journey rooted in prayer, simplicity, and service. His formation took him from Lithuania to Kennebunkport, Maine, where he completed his novitiate, and later to Vytautas Magnus University and the Kaunas Priest Seminary. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Catholic Theology and was ordained a deacon, serving the Lithuanian community in Hamilton, Ontario. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2002.
For many years, Audrius ministered within the Roman Catholic Church, serving in pastoral care, evangelization, and community leadership. His ministry brought him close to people of all ages — youth searching for direction, seniors seeking companionship, and small ethnic communities longing for connection. In 2004, he became pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Hamilton, also supporting Lithuanian missions in St. Catharines and Rochester, NY. These years shaped his pastoral heart and deepened his love for accompanying people through the many moments of their lives.
Over time, Audrius felt called toward a new chapter in his spiritual journey. Drawn by a desire to continue serving God’s people with openness and authenticity, he found his way into the Anglican tradition. His transition was shaped by prayer, reflection, and a steady commitment to remain faithful to the ministry to which he felt called.
In 2013, Audrius married his wife, Audra, at St. Thomas’ Church in St. Catharines. Together they have built a life rooted in faith, compassion, and community. They are blessed with two children — their daughter Arija (born in 2014) and their son Aleksandras (born in 2016) — who bring joy, laughter, and light to their home.
In 2016, Audrius’ ordination orders were received and recognized within the Anglican Church, allowing him to continue his priestly ministry in a new tradition. He has since served faithfully in several parishes, including St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Dunnville, St. John’s Anglican Church in South Cayuga, and Christ Church in Dunn. He later served as an assistant priest at St. John’s Anglican Church in Ancaster, and afterward continued his ministry at St. John’s Anglican Church in Stewarttown.
Today, Rev. Audrius serves at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Norval. Beginning January 1, 2026, he also joins the ministry team at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, bringing his pastoral experience, gentle presence, and steady commitment to caring for the people entrusted to him.
Rev. Audrius serves with gratitude for every community that has welcomed him. His ministry is grounded in listening, compassion, and a hope-filled belief that God meets people in simple, ordinary moments. He remains thankful for the privilege of serving and for the quiet ways the Spirit continues to lead and surprise him.
Rev. Audrius Sarka
Rev. Audrius Sarka was born in Klaipėda, Lithuania, a coastal city shaped by music, culture, and faith. From a young age, he was drawn to beauty and creativity, studying at the School of Arts where he learned to play guitar — a gift that would later become part of his ministry and his way of connecting with others.
At 18, Audrius entered the Franciscan Order (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), beginning a journey rooted in prayer, simplicity, and service. His formation took him from Lithuania to Kennebunkport, Maine, where he completed his novitiate, and later to Vytautas Magnus University and the Kaunas Priest Seminary. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Catholic Theology and was ordained a deacon, serving the Lithuanian community in Hamilton, Ontario. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2002.
For many years, Audrius ministered within the Roman Catholic Church, serving in pastoral care, evangelization, and community leadership. His ministry brought him close to people of all ages — youth searching for direction, seniors seeking companionship, and small ethnic communities longing for connection. In 2004, he became pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Hamilton, also supporting Lithuanian missions in St. Catharines and Rochester, NY. These years shaped his pastoral heart and deepened his love for accompanying people through the many moments of their lives.
Over time, Audrius felt called toward a new chapter in his spiritual journey. Drawn by a desire to continue serving God’s people with openness and authenticity, he found his way into the Anglican tradition. His transition was shaped by prayer, reflection, and a steady commitment to remain faithful to the ministry to which he felt called.
In 2013, Audrius married his wife, Audra, at St. Thomas’ Church in St. Catharines. Together they have built a life rooted in faith, compassion, and community. They are blessed with two children — their daughter Arija (born in 2014) and their son Aleksandras (born in 2016) — who bring joy, laughter, and light to their home.
In 2016, Audrius’ ordination orders were received and recognized within the Anglican Church, allowing him to continue his priestly ministry in a new tradition. He has since served faithfully in several parishes, including St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Dunnville, St. John’s Anglican Church in South Cayuga, and Christ Church in Dunn. He later served as an assistant priest at St. John’s Anglican Church in Ancaster, and afterward continued his ministry at St. John’s Anglican Church in Stewarttown.
Today, Rev. Audrius serves at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Norval. Beginning January 1, 2026, he also joins the ministry team at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, bringing his pastoral experience, gentle presence, and steady commitment to caring for the people entrusted to him.
Rev. Audrius serves with gratitude for every community that has welcomed him. His ministry is grounded in listening, compassion, and a hope-filled belief that God meets people in simple, ordinary moments. He remains thankful for the privilege of serving and for the quiet ways the Spirit continues to lead and surprise him.
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Liv Schachter, Music Director
Liv began learning piano at four years old and flute at eight. She earned a BFA from Mount Allison University, and has been awarded the ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, a professional credential attesting the level of proficiency of a concert performer. Liv has over twenty-five years experience working as a musician in the GTA as a relief organist, as a piano accompanist to various musicians, singers and ballet studios, as a chamber musician including one half of a flute/harp duo, and as a flute and piano teacher. She lives in Georgetown where she is involved in several local groups including the Halton Hills Concert Band, the Halton Hills Flute Ensemble, and the Georgetown Folk Collective. She's been the Music Director at St. Stephen's since 2019. |
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Julie Zarins, Rector's Warden
Julie was born in England, and emigrated to Montreal in 1984 with her husband Peter. In 1996 they relocated to Georgetown, Ontario, where soon after they joined St. Stephen’s Church. From the warm, friendly welcome they received from the very beginning at St. Stephen’s, they knew this was the right church for them! In addition to a heavy responsibility as rector's warden Julie is a member of the choir and a member of the Altar Guild. Julie is a Registered Nurse, now semi-retired and working at Georgetown Hospital. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, puzzles (particularly Sudoku), playing the tenor recorder (a new venture since COVID), and volunteering at the Bennett Long Term Care Facility (gardening) and the Halton Radial Railway Museum (serving ice cream!). She and Peter have a son, Michael. Also an elderly, beloved dog called Ramsey and two very mischievous young cats called Ruby and Wegz (rescued from Egypt)! |
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Rick Nolin,
Co-chair, Cemetery Committee Rick is retired from a career in information technology, keeping up with the many developments and innovations in a fast-moving field. For much of his career he was based in California, but traveled widely. At St. Stephen’s he’s particularly well known for his “green thumb,” since he does the lion’s share of the work of keeping our cemetery extraordinarily beautiful in its landscaping and gardening. He’s also the first contact for those considering burial arrangements here. Another significant area where he serves God and the community is with the Food for Life program at Milton Bible Church, which feeds scores of needy families, and which also collaborates with the Purolator Help Tackle Hunger program. |