About Me

I am a curator of sacred space (commonly called a pastor), a writer and and artist, a strategist, a listener and world adventurer.

I fell in love with the world when I was ten on my first trip to Europe and I have explored it relentlessly since then.  In college I studied intercultural studies and psychology. I then worked in post-Communist Europe in the 1990's to train others in cross-cultural transitions. This experience sparked a sensitivity to the many other transitions life's intersections bring.

I returned home to California, married the amazing and constant Chris, and gave birth to two beautiful girls.  I had fulfilled everything I wanted - to be a missionary and to have a family.  But the restlessness continued.  I wasn't satisfied with the answers the church had given me.  I sensed God was bigger and that the critique our culture leveled at Christianity may have some merit.

Graduate school began as an attempt to get my hands around those questions.  I had a to unlearn new perspectives based on an honest listening to science, reason and philosophy.  I had to do a  lot of leaving and a lot of grieving, but I gained a freedom to explore, learn and listen without an agenda.  I found a God who is bigger than any box dogma attempts to contain.

I'm not sure how I became a pastor.  I think at some point, I realized that is who I am no matter what I do.  I love to hold space for people to discover God and themselves more deeply.  I have always wanted to inspire others to live from their soul and to live in deep connection and love.  I believe a small group of people has power to make profound world change.  And so, when I heard there may be a pastoring gig that would combine spirituality with social justice, I applied to First Presbyterian Church of Bend and began as Pastor for Justice, Spirituality and Community in the spring of 2011. I was privileged to be a pastor there for over six years and in September 2017, began as the Senior Pastor of another amazing church, Valley Presbyterian, in Portola Valley, California.

As a pastor, I am privileged to listen for the passion of others and seek to support it coning to life.  I live out my love of the world by championing African Road as a board member.  I have also served as the Moderator of the Presbytery of Cascades.

My favorite place is wherever my daughters and husband are.  Together, we love to travel and eat great food.  I am a passionate cook, a crafter in many medias and constantly seeking wholeness of body, mind and spirit.