Formal Education:
Masters of Divinity, San Francisco Theological Seminary, 2006
B.A., Macalester College, 2000
Continuing Education:
Interim Ministry Training Week I, Princeton Theological Seminary; October 2011
Three units of Clinical Pastoral Education; September 2004 – May 2005 at the Palo Alto, CA Veterans Hospital
Past Experience:
-Partner in new position with Head of Staff to participate in pastoral duties of church such as pastoral care, worship, administration of various programs and general pastoral duties.
-Create small-group and Bible study opportunities for young adults in the church and develop a support network for young singles and families.
-Work with Community and Outreach Committee to transform church’s web presence and expand electronic communications.
-Partner with and guide existing Youth and Christian Education programs to increase participation and spiritual growth along with bringing in and training new lay leadership for longevity of programs.
-Participate in worship planning including preaching every third Sunday and leading an Advent special focus on various images of God in preaching, liturgy, music and physical worship space.
-Led Session retreat to develop a mission statement, and focus greatly on developing lay leaders.
-Led Confirmation Class, led county-wide Presbyterian Vacation Bible School, and wrote a VBS curriculum based on Mister Rogers episodes.
-Participate in Presbytery’s Mission Partnership Committee, and beginning conversations and plans to develop a new Social Justice Committee.
Interim Pastor (Head of Staff): First Presbyterian Church, Iola, KS - March 2012 - December 2013
-Worked with Session, Board of Deacons, and the other main committees to train and uplift leadership and clarify roles of individuals and committees.
-Gathered policies and procedures in the past to clarify current expectations of function and changes as needed.
-Refreshed the worship of the congregation with a joyful spirit and intention.
-Taught all ages including topical and theological classes for adults, confirmation to the youth and yoga to the church’s after-school program.
-Studied and discerned ways the congregation can help children in the congregation with difficult backgrounds and disruptive behavior.
-Oversaw changes in staff including clarifying of roles, expectations of positions and finding people who love what they do.
-Managed the purchase of an electronic organ with donated monies and the refurbishing of the pipe organ.
-Set up as clear, open and functional as possible the systems of the church to encourage current lay leadership and facilitate a smooth transition to future pastoral leadership.
Pastor (Head of Staff): Covenant Presbyterian Church, Marshall, MO – March 2009 – August 2011
-Planned and led traditional yet creative worship and preach the Word of God with integrity and imagination for a congregation of 208.
-Provided pastoral care and counseling for members across all generations.
-Trained and led Elders in their responsibilities, especially focusing on clarification of the roles of committees and how they work as a whole.
-Taught comprehensive, creative and community-focused confirmation classes, adult discussion groups and other classes as requested.
-Created a young adult group and initiated renewed contact with the local college.
-Led Elders in discovering a vision and strategic plan for the congregation.
-Worked with elders and formed the Care Committee to develop a plan for and follow through for pastoral care in congregation with no Deacons.
-Moderated the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
-Acted as the Presbytery’s liaison for the Theological Education Fund for the PC(U.S.A.).
Intern: Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church, Lake Arrowhead, CA – July 2006 – July 2007
-Developed, administered and wrote curriculum for the Jr. and Sr. High youth program in the congregation of 250.
-Planned retreats, dinners, special services, and community events.
-Assisted with the process of moving from two styles of worship to one, unified service.
-Co-coordinated and led worship, preaching monthly.-Discerned with the pastor the status and needs of the congregation and how to develop an even healthier congregation.
-Supported and filled in for Pastor and Christian Education Director as needed.
-Led a week-long mission trip of youth and adults to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Seminary Intern: Calvary Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA June 2005 – July 2006
-Ministered to a multicultural and multilingual congregation of 200 members of English and primarily Mandarin languages.
-Co-coordinated and led worship, preaching monthly.
-Collaborated with co-pastors and congregants to plan programs and future worship services.
-Co-directed a weekly after school program for young children.
-Trained youth leaders in ministering to elementary school children.
-Taught Bible study to adults and youth.
Student Chaplain in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program: Veterans Hospital, Palo Alto, CA September 2004 – May 2005
-Visited patients on various wards providing pastoral care and spiritual support as part of the health care team.
-Led weekly spirituality discussion groups in long-term care wards, the locked dementia unit and the brain injury rehabilitation center.
-Assisted in leading a spirituality discussion group in the women’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder center.
-Assisted in leading ecumenical worship in the hospital chapel.
-Studied pertinent topics such as post traumatic stress disorder, palliative care, twelve step programs, different religious faiths and how to chart patient visits.
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:
-Sales and Accounting Assistant: Southern Textile Recycling Inc, Fullerton, CA – April 2008 – February, 2009
-Nanny: Private sector, San Rafael, CA September 2002 – March 2004
-Administrative Assistant to the Director of Human Resources: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, New York, NY August 2000 – August 2002
-Box Office Assistant, Costume Stitcher, Macalester College Theater, St. Paul, MN, Fall 1996-Spring 2000
-Project Assistant Intern, Martha’s Closet, St. Paul, MN, January 2000 – May 2000
-Interracial Youth Group Leader, First Presbyterian Church of Passaic, NJ, Summer 1999
-Public Relations Intern, Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, Hackensack, NJ Summer 1997
Formal Education: