It’s an honor to serve as co-chairs of the Training and Care Committee of our Regional Church, and to introduce our members. Our primary task is the formation, education, care and nurture of candidates — both seminary and apprentice track — who are responding to God’s call in their lives and moving towards their hoped-for goal of ordination. We are privileged to accompany candidates on their journeys, as well as evaluate their readiness for ministry based on our denomination’s Order of Ministry guidelines and the requirements that have been set forth for this process.

We gather with each other and our Candidates on the first Wednesday of each month. This year we are meeting primarily in person, but also holding meetings over Zoom twice a year. We celebrate the opportunity to gather together and are grateful to Lafayette Christian Church for the use of their sanctuary for our monthly meetings.

OUR CURRENT T&C COMMITTEE:

Rev. Ken Babauta (Pastor, Barrett Avenue Christian Church)
Rev. Steve Borgard (Interim Pastor, FCC Sacramento )
Rev. Shayne Flowers (on temporary leave)
Rev. Paul Gaffney (Co-Chair, ACPE Certified Educator, San Francisco Theological Seminary)
Rev. Jeffrey Ishmael (Chaplain, John Muir Hospital)
Rev. Sophia Jackson (Lead clergy for WOSA (Women of Spirit Action) on the Disciples Women’s Council)
Ms. Ellie McDougal (laywoman, FCC Concord)
Rev. Dr. Laura Jean Torgerson, (Co-Chair, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Berkeley School of Theology)
Rev. Dr. Mary Donovan Turner (retired professor, Pacific School of Religion)
Rev. Dr. Clarence Johnson (Pastor, Mills Grove Christian Church)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:

Rev. Kyung-Min Daniel Lee, CCNC-N Associate Regional Minister and staff liaison
Rev. Dr. LaTaunya M. Bynum, CCNC-N Regional Minister
Rev. Dr. Christy Newton, Executive Director, Disciples Seminary Foundation

CANDIDATES ORDAINED IN THE LAST YEAR:

Rev. Renae Earl (May 20, 2023, First Christian Church of Concord)
Rev. Carolyn Anderson, M.Div (June 3, 2023, Mills Grove Christian Church)
Rev. LaDonna Harris (September 30, 2023, Mills Grove Christian Church)
Rev. Jodi Capitola-Duran (January 27, 2024, Urban Sanctuary)
Rev. August Laperche (March 10, 2024, Lafayette Christian Church)

CANDIDATES CURRENTLY UNDER CARE:

Audrey Barton - M.Div., Graduated from SFTS
Jeremiah Jenkins – M.Div., SFTS
Shannon Kitchens, M.Div., Graduated from Pacific School of Religion
Bobby Marchessault – M.Div., PSR
Shannon Marckx – M.Div., PSR
Gabrielle Poli – M.Div., PSR
Lacey Soto - M.Div., Graduated from Claremont School of Theology
Evan Stanfill – M.Div., Graduated from SFTS
Christiane Swartz – M.Div., PSR
Tipisone Tuiolemotu – M.Div, Graduated from PSR
Safue Ulufaleilupe – M.Div, Graduated from PSR

Our Training and Care Committee would like to say thank you for the opportunity to serve the church as we walk with and are challenged by such exceptional and faithful candidates for ordination in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

Respectfully,
Paul Gaffney and Laura Jean Torgerson, Co-chairs
Training and Care Committee