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Welcome!
I will use this site primarily as a resource for the students in my classes.
However, my new-and-improved website is up and running at:
Please visit, bookmark it, and enjoy the many new things happening in the religious and spiritual life of CWA!
Classes:
Upper School
Lower School Chapel 2007-2008
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Biography
I was born in Denver, Colorado, where I learned to love the huge sky and the mountains. ~I learned to ski as a kid, and my family used to vacation in a cabin near Estes Park -- even in the winter! ~When I was ten years old we moved to University Place where I enrolled at U.P. Elementary. ~There were no middle schools in the UP district yet (!) so I went straight to Curtis Jr. High and High School where I graduated as senior class president. ~I gave a speech to the graduating class that ended "I'll see you out there." ~And I thought I would.
I ventured off to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where I earned a BFA in Theatre/Acting. ~I enjoyed being in about a dozen plays and taking various classes ranging from paleoanthropology to astronomy to rhetoric. ~After I graduated, I was hired to act professionally at the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. ~However, throughout my tenure in Texas, I felt an ongoing inner urge to consider the ministry as a vocation. ~Eventually, on June 1, 1999, I began seeking opportunities in that field.
My adventure took me to Belfast, Northern Ireland to live for a year in a staunchly unionist neighborhood and work in a Presbyterian Church and local Youth for Christ drop-in center. ~I preached dozens of times and enjoyed incorporating myself into a different culture (e.g., I learned to love soccer!)~~~~
My cross-cultural experiences continued immediately afterward when I enrolled at Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, to begin work on my Master of Divinity. ~At the same time, I enrolled in the preparation for ordination in the Presbyterian Church. ~While at Regent I studied Exegesis, Greek and Hebrew, History, Systematic Theology, Ecclesiology, Pastoral Care, and other interdisciplinary studies. ~I graduated in April 2005.
The summer of 2005 was an important one. I spent the first part of the summer in a full-time hospital chaplaincy internship at Vancouver General Hospital. ~I learned a lot about conversing with people from various backgrounds -- countries, cultures, religions, socio-economic communities, etc. ~It was a privilege to be allowed into people's lives when they were quite vulnerable. ~Meanwhile, I was offered the chaplaincy at CWA and took it eagerly. Only two weeks before the 2005-06 school year began, I had my 10-year high school reunion. At the evening party, I began chatting with Katie Gustafson, a girl I had hardly known at Curtis but who I definitely noticed that night! One thing led to another, and we were married on August 12, 2006, exactly one year after our reunion!
The last four years since I started at CWA have been full of change and personal growth. I was even ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) on Oct. 5, 2008, and my ordination was specifically to serve as the CWA chaplain! I have a lot to offer and a lot to learn from the CWA community, and I am glad to have the opportunity for both!
Interests
Music: I play the guitar, drums, saxophone, and toy around with the bass, banjo, lap-guitar, harmonica, and whatever other instruments I get my hands on.
Theatre: Dr. Pitcher in The Secret Garden at Tacoma Little Theatre 2005.
Sports: I ran my first marathon in San Diego and raised money with Team in Training, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. ~Thanks to many in the CWA family who contributed! ~Katie and I also enjoy cheering on the Mariners, Seahawks, Broncos (okay, that may be just me) and WSU Cougs! Hiking, Camping, Tennis, Racquetball, and whatever else I might try!
Education
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