Barry is originally from Calgary, Alberta but has lived in Toronto now for the since the mid 1980’s.  He has a Social Work degree from the University of Calgary and a Masters of Theological Studies from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.  His thesis was a historic overview of the biennial national United Church outreach workers consultations called Energy From the Edges.

Although his formal training is in social work and theology, much of his learning and education has come from various communities and organizations that he has worked with over the years.  He has been a children's counsellor in the Battered Women's movement, a youth literacy worker with the Downtown Church Worker's Association, a community youth worker at Davenport Perth Community Health Centre, a community development worker for an inter-faith coalition in Lawrence Heights and a program consultant with the Addiction Research Foundation.  Since 1995 he has been working as the Jane and Finch Community Minister.  In 2006 Barry received an award at City Hall for Outstanding Achievement in the area of Social Justice and in Oct. 2009 he received a honourary Doctorate Degree of Sacred Letters from Huntington University for his for his years of community service.

Barry Rieder is the Community Minster at the Jane-Finch Community Ministry