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All candidates were asked to submit a professional resumé, a 200-250 word narrative biography and answer the same 4 questions.

Every Christian is committed to Christ, and all priests share our commitments made in our Ordination Vows. What follows are some of the specific ways I have lived out being a Christian and an Episcopal priest since my ordination in 1985.

Commitment to youth-The children and young adults of a congregation give vitality and creativity to parish life. How a parish treats its youngest is a sign of how it treats its least.

Experience

Two years as Chaplain/parish liaison with parish elementary school at Christ Church, Coronado.

Camp Stevens chaplain one week each summer for 15 years (and continuing).

Developed college ministry at St. Matthias, Whittier.

Led diocesan training for parish based college work.

Revitalized children’s’ ministries at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd, Hemet.

Four years experience as youth minister (1983-87).

Initiated Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as rector of Good Shepherd.

Designed and led in partnership with other mainline churches Sexuality/Birth Control seminars for the youth of Hemet when public school district dropped sex education.

Commitment to diversity-Reflecting the span of God’s creation in humanity in a congregation is a lesson in the reality, the joy, and the difficulty of living out God’s dream for the human race.

Experience

Trained in and implemented Kaleidoscope Ministry anti-racism program at St. Matthias.

Developed Latino ministry at Good Shepherd and middle class Latino ministry at St. Matthias.

Offered dialogues on sexuality in three congregations.

Economic diversity among parishioners brought to awareness and embraced in all congregations.

Developed and obtained national grant for Native American urban ministry in San Diego (1986).

Built bridges between generations within congregations through carefully designed programs.

Developed parish reconciliation  process to successfully deal with issues of sexuality and racism at St. Matthias.

Part of diocesan El Salvador project leadership team, including leading trips there in the summers of 2003 and 2004, with further trips now being planned. Organized Salvadoran leadership trip to Los Angeles in 2004 and 2005 for multi-parish speaking tours.

Presenter Los Angeles Diocesan Reconciliation Team national workshop 2004-2007

Commitment to administration-Effective parish office and physical plant work helps everyone to more easily focus on God and are basic ingredients to faithful hospitality.

Experience

Twenty years as vicar or rector, and two years as assistant at a large congregation.

Four years training with the Clergy Leadership Project (sponsored by Trinity Church, Wall St.) in parish vision development, change, authority issues, and growth.

Two years advanced training in systems theory and parish dynamics.

In three congregations, developed integrated communications and scheduling approaches.

Planned and installed computer networks and software at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd.

Developed and implemented financial controls system at St. Matthias.

Developed fuller parish participation in budget planning for three congregations.

Write request for and administer $250,000 annual Higher Education budget for diocese and oversee work of six chaplains. (7 years and continuing).

Exercised conflict resolution in four congregations using processes of dialogue and respect.

Commitment to adult education-Too many Christians stop learning about theology, Scripture, and ethics during grade school. Life is easier and more interesting with ongoing education that allows for spiritual development.

Experience

Created community based education program for St. Matthias using outside speakers, including state and national elected officials, Whittier College professors, and other prominent presenters.

Developed comprehensive newcomer education and incorporation programs for four congregations.

Nurtured book study and other small group ministries in three congregations.

Implemented adult lectionary based Bible study programs at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd.

Trained lay educators to expand adult education ministries at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd.

Effective and popular teacher in parish and diocesan contexts. Have taught practical ministry skills, Scripture, theology, culture, and current event classes for congregations and diocese.

Occasional teacher for Whittier College on spirituality and social work.

Commitment to congregational growth-The Great Commission of Christ to spread the Gospel continues in effect. There continue to be people whose lives can be transformed through a deeper life with God, and the local parish is still the best vehicle for God’s grace and the best place for an individual to discover that grace.

Experience

Used credibility as “cradle Episcopalian” coupled with ability to facilitate discussions to introduce changes needed for parish growth in four congregations.

Fostered membership growth in four congregations.

Developed full range advertising program in three congregations.

Developed web and email ministry for St. Matthias.

Guided three congregations in becoming city foci for worship, activities and ministries.

Extensive training in congregational redevelopment by national church office, 1988.

Diocesan congregational consultant for church growth in small and medium churches 1988-90.

Commitment to Stewardship-Both giving and allocating money are key spiritual activities for Christians.

Experience

Increased pledges and total pledged amounts in three congregations.

Developed outside fund raising program for St. Matthias.

Led successful capital campaigns at Good Shepherd and St. Matthias.

Created successful Planned Giving program for St. Matthias.

Developed successful grant writing programs for St. Matthias and for First Day Homeless Center.

During two years as president of First Day Homeless Center, built from $75,000 a year to $800,000 annual budget. Developed appropriate administrative structures and financial processes.

During First Day presidency purchased building (with no debt), housing 44 people as well as offices, kitchen, and other support needs using grants and community fund raising efforts.

Commitment to spiritual development-Even life-long Christians can benefit from rediscovering or finding new spiritual practices. Our heritage is ripe with resources.

Experience

Deepened appreciation of the Sacramental traditions of the church in four congregations.

Served as Spiritual Director for Cursillo weekends, Diocese of San Diego.

Introduced the Labyrinth to St. Matthias.

Developed annual parish spiritual retreats in two congregations.

Created intercessory prayer ministry at St. Matthias.

Led annual joint Los Angeles/San Diego diocesan Advent Retreat (4 years).

Commitment to parish cohesion-A parish that plays together stays together. It is often in social situations that relational roots grow that nurture pastoral care in a parish.

Experience

Created St. Matthias wellness program for parishioners and staff.

Developed calendar of cultural activities for St. Matthias (e.g. Holocaust Museum visits).

Created parish family camping program for Good Shepherd.

Built parish multigenerational recreational sports programs in four congregations.

Developed parish shared meals tradition in four congregations.

Developed multigenerational perspective of parish social events in four congregations.

Commitment to Lay Ministry and Leadership-A parish needs to support the ministries of all its members, whether expressed through the parish or beyond it. Authority and creativity must be given to a layperson taking on a parish ministry.

Experience

Certified Stephen Ministry trainer (attended national training).

Designed and implemented Guild and Group Leadership program at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd to build and support lay leadership.

Fostered new Lay ministries in each parish served, including pastoral, educational, spiritual, and recreational.

Trained and empowered Vestries to be more than advise and consent bodies to the rector, and instead become strong participants in the core leadership teams of the parishes.

Commitment to Pastoral Care-How the most easily overlooked members, such as those with physical or emotional illness, in a parish are treated reflects on its Christian maturity.

Experience

Continue to make regular hospital and home visits (twenty-two years ordained experience).

Mobilized crisis response to community disasters like 9/11 and parish ones such as traffic accidents involving parishioners.

Developed pastoral care tracking system for two congregations to prevent people from falling through the cracks.

Personal tradition of signing and sending birthday cards to all parishioners.

Oversee clergy and lay people in providing one on one ministry to parishioners.

Resource lists for parishioners in need developed for easy referrals.

Home bound parishioners visited by clergy regularly as well as by lay visitors.

Commitment to diocesan and community involvement-A priest is ordained for the world not just as an employee of a congregation.

Experience

Current personal volunteer activities-

Chair, Diocesan Program Group for Ministry in Higher Education.

Co-chair Camp Stevens Diocesan Camp and Conference Center Board.

Member and Presenter, Diocesan Reconciliation Team.

President, Whittier Interfaith Council.

Member, Diocesan World Missions Program Group-El Salvador subcommittee

Board member (past president), Whittier First Day Coalition for Recovery from Homelessness.

Convener, Whittier Homeless Summit.

Co-leader, Whittier Abrahamic Faiths Project

Some past personal volunteer activities -

Standing Committee in Indianapolis and San Diego dioceses.

Commission on Ministry in San Diego.

Diocesan Council in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Budget Committee, Los Angeles.

Bishop’s Commission for Gay and Lesbian Ministry-Los Angeles

Chair-Diocesan AIDS Ministry Committee, Indianapolis.

Chair-Native American Ministry Committee, San Diego.

Commitment to outreach-A congregation exists to serve the world in Christ’s name, not just its members. This everyday service gives integrity to the Gospel proclaimed on Sundays.

Experience

Led two congregations in creating freestanding non-profits to ease homelessness and poverty in their communities.

Received Angel Award in 2003 for Whittier AIDS ministry work.

Supported and developed new outreach ministries in every congregation served.

St. Matthias feeds 70 people every weekday year round, provides a mailing address to 35 people, daily distributes clothing and toiletries. Houses 40 people two weeks per winter.

Developed St. Matthias and Good Shepherd into being the centers for interfaith spiritual expression in their communities.

St. Matthias has hosted and led the annual Whittier AIDS service last six years.

City of Whittier officials looked to St. Matthias as the center for 9/11 spiritual responses both that day and on anniversaries since.

St. Matthias became a study center for the Whittier College social work program last four years.

Created Whittier Homeless Summit to find creative ways to address this complex issue, bringing together service providers, business owners, politicians, and homeless people to share perspectives and develop new strategies.

Created Parish Nurse ministry at St. Matthias that serves both parishioners and the community, and is paid for by a grant from the California Endowment.

Commitment to liturgy-The Episcopal liturgical tradition has a depth that helps us to transcend everyday life and have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. To quote the Anglican proverb, “We pray as we believe.” Liturgy shapes who we become.

Experience

Preaching nearly weekly for twenty years.

Frequently invited to preach for ecumenical and interfaith events.

Annually design interfaith AIDS community service for last seven years.

Planned and hosted diocesan events including Confirmations and Ordinations.

Expanded music programs at St. Matthias and Good Shepherd to include additional evensongs, choirs and concerts.

Introduced annual “Instructed Holy Eucharist” in two congregations to deepen liturgical spirituality

Transitioned parish from weekly Morning Prayer to weekly Holy Eucharist (1986).

Experience in three congregations in “high church” worship.

As a teen, trained and served in Anglo Catholic tradition as acolyte, sub deacon, and verger.

Work History

Rector of St. Matthias, Whittier, CA 1998-present

Rector of Good Shepherd, Hemet, CA. 1990-98

Vicar of St. John’s and Regional Missioner for Diocese of Indianapolis, Washington, IN. 1987-90

Assistant, Christ Church, Coronado CA 1985-87

Ordained deacon and priest 1985

Education

M.Div 1985 Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

AB Social Work 1982 University of California, Berkeley