Minister of Music and Liturgy

Emma is from Edinburgh, Scotland and studied voice and piano at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and the University of British Columbia. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Operatic studies and sang professionally for fifteen years in the UK Europe and South America upon graduating. She was the Director of Music at St. Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh for 14 years and ran a successful vocal studio. 

Emma enjoys a wide variety of worship styles and music, and is acutely aware of the important role music plays within the service and the way it should be communicated within a worship setting. Emma also took part in DCC's Anti Racism Training and is committed to bringing about cultural and structural change in religious Institutions. 

Emma’s husband Juan works for the Consulate of Mexico and they have a daughter, Carmen.  Envelope

Director of Children and Youth Ministry

Alex is originally from Orange County, CA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Peace and Global Studies with an emphasis in Interfaith Dialogue from Earlham College and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.

Alex has served as a pastor, religious educator, and chaplain at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, and University Retirement Community at Davis. He brings more than twenty-five years of experience in leading lifespan religious education and faith development programs.

Alex’s path to ministry has included many different chapters, including working with developmentally disabled adults, bartending, and serving as a cast member at Disneyland.

Alex lives in Davis with his wife, Rev. Christine Haider-Winnett, their young children, Elliott and Lucy, and three cats. He enjoys gardening, watching movies, making award-winning pickles, and is a member of the Davis Odd Fellows.

Director of Operations

Lisa has dedicated most of her career to nonprofit and public service administration, driven by a passion for fostering community and enhancing societal well-being. She holds a master’s degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in History from SUNY Buffalo. Lisa's diverse professional experience spans healthcare, low-income housing and homelessness, a national laboratory, and public transit, including a recent role at TriMet in Portland, OR.

Lisa and her husband,  Erik, enjoy gardening, hiking, fitness and an enthusiastic appreciation for culinary arts. Lisa has 2 adult children: her son Joel, a union organizer and artist in Portland, and her daughter Katherine, a biochemist in Seattle. Envelope

Office & Events Manager | Congregational Engagement

Deborah graduated from UC Berkeley and is an ordained elder at DCC. She has been part of the church’s ministry since 2003 and brings a deep understanding of mission and ministry, along with strong relationships across the congregation and leadership. Deborah has extensive experience working with community organizations serving those affected by mental illness, substance use, economic insecurity, and homelessness. For several years, she also ran her own business in downtown Davis.

In her personal time, Deborah enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and volunteering.  Envelope

Finance Manager

Brett Kersten, DCC’s Minister of Finance, has extensive experience in non-profit accounting, having served both Cal Aggie Christian Association and the Bread of Life Center. Brett is responsible for financial accounting, payroll administration and financial reporting. His educational background focused on computer science and database management. He has also pursued graduate work in counseling and holistic health. Brett works 24 hours per week and is in the office on Mondays 9a.m.-2 p.m.  

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Elizabeth Fulmer, and family, running the greenbelt, riding his bicycle, building computers, cooking plant-based meals, reading, meditating, and spending time with their grandbaby, Andy Josephine MacCaughey Schmidt.  Envelope

Communications and Outreach Manager

Jean Strong serves the church by sharing the stories, ministries, and spiritual life of the DCC community. With a passion for creativity and thoughtful connection, Jean builds, designs, and manages communication channels that help people engage with the church in meaningful ways, both online and in person. Jean’s mission is to build bridges between the church, its community partners, and the wider community while amplifying voices of peace, inclusion, and justice at a time when they are needed most.

Jean brings extensive experience in digital strategy and building omnichannel communication systems, having led advertising campaigns, managed and designed large enterprise websites, developed social media ecosystems, and created digital products across a range of industries. Recent clients have included organizations in education, healthcare, faith communities, and civic engagement, including the League of Women Voters, the Peace & Justice Choir of Sacramento, the National Marrow Donor Program, the University of Colorado Boulder, and First United Methodist Church. Jean is also the co-founder of a Broadway-focused digital marketing agency, the co-creator of two musicals, and a published contributor to a W. W. Norton anthology of nonfiction.

Organist

Michael Glick holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from UC Santa Cruz and a master's degree in Organ Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. He is delighted to have been selected as DCC's organist. He has served in this capacity in the past and feels particularly blessed to serve here in Davis. This ministry of music is one that he feels especially called to. 

Facilities

Angel is a member of the facilities team at Davis Community Church, helping maintain clean, welcoming, and well-prepared spaces for worship, meetings, and community events. He takes pride in serving behind the scenes and supporting the daily needs of the church. Outside of work, Angel is a devoted father, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner who values faith, family, personal growth, and serving others.