The Reverend Liz Tichenor (she/her) came to us from All Souls, Berkeley, where she served as the Associate Rector from 2014 to 2019. Her childhood was spread across northern New England, Iowa and Indiana. Liz returned to the Northeast for college, where she studied Spanish as an undergraduate at Dartmouth and later served there as the Episcopal campus minister. She received her Masters of Divinity at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a Masters of Arts in Ethics and Social Theory at the Graduate Theological Union. After seminary, Liz served as the Resident Chaplain at Camp Galilee, on the Eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, and at Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno. Some of her passions in church leadership include collaboration in congregational development, building rich community through fellowship and good humor, flexing towards shared vulnerability, and wrestling with our sacred texts in preaching. Beyond work, Liz loves adventuring with her husband Jesse, their daughter Alice, their son Sam, and their endlessly energetic dog Mabel.
Liz is also the author of The Night Lake: A Young Priest Maps the Topography of Grief. You can learn more about her work as an author at www.revliztichenor.com.
The Rev. Whitney Wilson (she/her) began serving as the Associate for Faith Formation and Ministry Development since March 2021 where she focuses on supporting faith formation for all ages and assisting all members, seasoned and brand new, to discern how God is calling them to serve and live out their baptismal vows. In June 2023, Whitney was ordained as a deacon, and became our Pastoral Associate, taking on more responsibility for pastoral care and liturgical leadership. Now a priest, she is serving as our Associate Rector. Whitney graduated from CDSP (the Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, CA) in 2014 with a Masters of Theological Studies and an emphasis in Faith Formation. Whitney and her spouse Scott live in Walnut Creek with their dog Lucy and are occasional empty-nesters when their three adult children Andrew, Ben, and Katie are away.
Jamie came to us most recently from Episcopal Parish of the Good Shepherd near Boston, Massachusetts. He and his wife Melanie are excited to be back in the Bay Area, which is a kind of homecoming for them — Jamie completed his PhD at UC Berkeley in Music, History, and Literature. While there, he also taught at the Episcopal seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and served as the music director at All Souls Parish in Berkeley.
I joined Church of the Resurrection staff as the church secretary in 2007. It’s been a gift and wonderful experience to work with such devoted and amazing clergy and staff. My favorite part of my job is getting to know the truly caring and giving people of this congregation that make Church of the Resurrection such a welcoming place for all.
Shannon helps with our youth group on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. Shannon comes to us with a wealth of experience in youth ministry. She will usually be with us on the Sunday mornings she is working with the youth group, so we hope all of you will get a chance to say hello and introduce yourself.
The Reverend Martha Kuhlmann graduated from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 2002. She retired in February 2023 from Holy Cross, Castro Valley where she served for over 20 years. In addition to preaching and presiding, she mentored many small groups, led Quiet Days, facilitated the Annual Women’s Retreat, and offered pastoral care. While ready for more flexibility in her schedule for travel and time with family and friends, she was not ready to “hang up her stole.” She is extremely grateful for Liz and Whitney’s gracious invitations to participate at Resurrection and to mentor the Healing Team; and appreciates the community’s warm welcome. Her Spiritual Direction practice continues to inspire and bring great joy. She also enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, cheering for the Warriors, and spending time with friends and her family (husband Ron; sons Michael and David; daughters-in-law Emily and Rebecca, and grandchildren Ellie, Guy, Max, Lyra, and Ariel). Life is rich.
Church members and clergy together lead our congregation through a governing board called the Vestry, much like a board of directors. The Vestry consists of 12 church members, elected at the annual meeting of the church, and the Rector. The Vestry is the legal governing and decision-making body of the church who sets vision and direction for the congregation, approves the parish budget, makes parish policy decisions, and spends the parish’s money. When the Rector leaves the Church it is the Vestry who calls the next Rector. The Vestry at Church of the Resurrection meets on the Second Wednesday evening of most months, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Sanctuary. (See current meeting schedule below.) Vestry meetings are open to all church members to attend and listen. The meetings minutes are also available for members to read, and are kept in the office. Please contact our Senior Warden with questions.
Christi Gotvald – Senior Warden Tom Chaffee – Junior Warden Jessica Beerbaum – Clerk of the Vestry Klaus Berkner Scott Epperson Ryan Pedersen Franie Millar Teddi Alexander Linda Pedrotti Kim Hall Louise Dombrowski Mark Sweeney
Vestry Meeting Schedule for 2026:
February 1 (NOT February 11) March 11 April 15 (ONE WEEK LATE) May 13 June 10 July 8 August 12 September 9 October 14 November 18 (ONE WEEK LATE) December 9 January 13, 2027
Retreat: January 29-31, 2027, including our “February” Vestry Meeting on January 31st
Deanery Delegates
The Diocese of California is organized into six deaneries (a neighboring group of congregations). Church of the Resurrection belongs to Contra Costa Deanery.
The Contra Costa Deanery meets four times a year: March, June, September, and November. Both lay and clergy delegates attend the Diocesan Convention at Grace Cathedral in October.
Our Lay Deanery Delegates are elected by the members of the parish at the Annual Meeting.
Our 2026 Lay Deanery Delegates are:
Delegates: Phil Matthews, Emma Jones, Neil Crawford Alternates: Kim Hall, Mark Sweeney, Emily Hopkins
