Ordained in 1985, Stephen Franklin Shantz met and married his wife, Elizabeth Ann Doeringwhile in theological school.   Stephen worked as an assistant pastor in two US pastorates before he answered the call to be head pastor of Cliffside New Christian Church, in his ancestral home of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.  At the time of this writing, Stephen and Liz have six children between the ages two and sixteen.

        Stephen stands at about six feet tall with sandy hair and grey eyes.  He prefers (or is it Liz's preference?) to remain clean-shaven.

        If Stephen had time for hobbies, he'd choose music first---rock, classical, jazz, and gospel---followed closely by model trains.  However, the demands of home and the challenges of holding the helm in Cliffside---a pastorate known for its ill-treatment of clergy---precludes much down-time in any form for this father of six.

        Stephen loves Cliffside Chapel and its congregants, despite their ornery nature.  He believes in their ability to rise above the struggles and unite.

        Due most likely to his resilient sense of humour and to his stubborn refusal to cave in under pressure, Stephen has lasted six years as the pastor of Cliffside---a feat accomplished by only one other man in Cliffside's thirty-eight year history.

        The Reverend Geoffrey Walters credits his ten-year survival in the Cliffside pastorate almost solely to Britannia Bender---a big-hearted, opinionated spinster whose dominant personality managed to keep the troublemakers in line.

        Stephen, however, cannot give "Aunt Britt" the same credit.  The feisty old woman moved away north before Stephen came on board.  Shortly before this writing, Britannia passed away, leaving a last will and testament that could be Stephen's---and the whole of Cliffside Chapel's---undoing.

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(all images created thanks to the SIMS 2)