Clergy & Staff

I am delighted to be the eighth Rector of this parish. I follow in the footsteps of holy and creative men. My journey to St. James’ began many years ago. I grew up in a small village in Upstate New York. Church was central to our lives. Often, South Pasadena reminds me of that village but without the weather! I moved to California in 1976 and have never regretted a day of it. Within the urban and suburban complexities of the greater Los Angeles area, South Pasadena is much like a village that reflects the values of people who know and care about one another. I worked in a variety of hospital management positions for many years prior to  making a career change from health care to that of soul care.  My degree, a Masters of Divinity, is from the Theological School at Claremont. Prior to St. James, I was an associate rector for a number of years at All Saints’ Church in Beverly Hills and prior to that, assisted briefly at St. Matthias Church in Whittier.

I am blessed that my entire family works in Church-related activities. My husband David is the Bishop’s Executive for Operations & Chief of Staff.  Our son Christopher has a degree in journalism and serves as the Diocesan Youth Minister and  also as a Digital Communication Specialist producing Just Action and other releases through the Communications Department for the diocese. Our daughter, Meghan, is a lawyer licensed by the State Bar of California and serves as the Executive Director of IRIS-The Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service.

I grew up in Seattle and Chicago, and moved to Los Angeles in order to attend the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where I majored in flute performance. After college I freelanced as a musician in the Los Angeles area while also working in higher education administration. It was through this type of work that I discovered Fuller Theological Seminary, enrolled in the Master of Divinity degree, and met my husband Mark, who was also attending seminary. I had been drawn to the liturgy and music of the Episcopal Church for many years, but finally became Episcopalian during my field education placement at St. James’.

After completing my MDiv at Fuller, I entered the ordination process, was ordained as a Deacon in June, 2010, and as a Priest in January, 2011.  I am also currently a PhD Candidate in Christian Worship at Fuller, studying how music contributes to spiritual formation. I am deeply grateful for this community and take great joy in being a part of God’s ongoing work in this place.

I’m blessed to have joined the St. James’ community in October of 2017. Growing up in the central valley town of Lodi, I was firmly raised in the Episcopal Church. I came to Southern California to attend college at Loyola Marymount University, where I studied Classical Civilizations and Archaeology. There, my love of the ancient world was nurtured and continues to serve me in ministry. Following graduation, I stayed in the region for several years during which time I discerned a call to the priesthood. In 2014, I moved to Alexandria, VA to attend the Virginia Theological Seminary. Completing my Master of Divinity in May of 2017, I was ordained to the Transitional Deaconate in June of the same year. Also, in September of that year, I married my wife, Meredith, whom I met while in seminary. I was ordained to the Priesthood in January 2018. Here at St. James’, I’m responsible for ministries to our youth and I serve as the chaplain for our parish day school. It is exciting to be back in the area, specifically in South Pasadena, and I have loved serving this incredible part of the Body of Christ who are the people of this congregation. God is very good!