Our Leadership

Meet the staff and session here at DCC. We are regular folks--just like you.

If you have any questions for any of our staff, feel free to reach out and email them. You can contact the church office by emailing office@dccpres.org.

DCC's Session Elders: Barbara Greene, Emily Henderson, Rob Feenstra, Joe Yun, Deborah Luthi, Brad Barber, Hanna Bartram, Moira Acosta. Not pictured are Maria Cartwright, Mike Coleman

Our Session

the governing body of the church

DCC's Session Elders (left to right):

Barbara Greene, Emily Henderson, Rob Feenstra, Joe Yun, JoAnn Diel, Deborah Luthi, Brad Barber, Hanna Bartram, Moira Acosta.

Not pictured are Maria Cartwright and Mike Coleman.

Contact the Clerk of Session with any questions.

OUR STAFF

  • Rev. Dr. Derek Austin

    Interim Senior Pastor, Head of Staff


    Rev. Dr. Derek Austin, a certified transitional specialist in the United Church of Christ and Christian Church Disciples of Christ, has served churches in New England as an intentional interim minister for the past 18 years. 

    Raised in upstate NY, Derek earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in San Diego, CA, and his Doctoral degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary; and engaged post-doctoral study in organizational psychology and family systems theory.  While living in San Diego, he also served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, until he relocated to New England. 

    Besides pastoring, Derek has applied his expertise by serving as Director of Clergy Leadership Development for Chautauqua Institution, as well as staffing several ministry committees in New England, and acting as a consultant for congregations engaged in various states of conflict or trauma. Having previously come from a more conservative Christian background, his ‘coming out’ story brings growth and challenging experience to his pastoral ministry. 

    Derek enjoys hiking, kayaking, live theater, international travel, and is an avid fan of the series Game of Thrones.  Envelope


  • Rev. Dr. Eunbee Ham

    Associate Pastor

    Born in South Korea to Presbyterian missionary parents, Rev. Dr. Eunbee Ham spent much of her childhood living interculturally, including in the Philippines and Mexico. She received her MDiv and MA in Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary. She earned her doctorate in Pastoral Counseling at Emory University, where her research explored how race, class, culture, gender, and spirituality affect identity formation. Eunbee brings more than 15 years of pastoral experience, during which she has served in a variety of capacities—pastor, teacher, and therapist. In her spare time, Eunbee tries not to kill her plants, enjoys cooking, and loves spending time in nature with her husband, Chwi.    Envelope

  • Emma Turnbull

    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 in Operatic studies and sang professionally for fifteen years in the UK and Europe upon graduating. She was the Director of Music at St. Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Edinburgh for 14 years. 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’s husband Juan works at U.C. Davis and they have a daughter, Carmen.  Envelope

  • Kate Boxeth

    Minister of Youth and Children

    Kate started working with young people when she was young herself! Since 2003, Kate has worked with IVCF, PCUSA’s Young Adult Volunteer Program, and a large non-denominational church in Portland, OR with children, middle and high school, college students, and international ministry. She earned a Master of Divinity from Portland Seminary in 2011. In 2013, She joined staff at Davis Community Church as the Minister of Children and Youth. Kate enjoys singing, hiking, playing Ultimate Frisbee, theorizing about the future of the Christian church, and the occasional strategy board game. She and her husband, Tim, have three children: Allie, Lindsay, and DanielEnvelope

  • Stephen Moon

    Pastor of Mosaics

    Dr. Stephen Moon is a Korean immigrant who came to the United States in 1983. As a result of a dramatic conversion, he decided to pursue his college degree and theological education in San Francisco to become a full time ministry worker. During his work as children’s pastor, he was given an intensive ministry training for the 1st generation Korean-Americans and their children. It was during that time that he developed a strong passion for the unchurched, especially for the 2nd generation Asian-Americans and their children in the neighborhood who come from a culturally diverse background. Now, Stephen and his wife, Grace, are leading cross-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-site churches for the Millennial generation in the Sacramento area. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts from San Francisco State University, a Master of Divinity in Cross-Cultural, Next Generation Ministry & Pastoral Counseling from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Berkeley School of Theology at Graduate Theological Union.

    Stephen and Grace, have two adult children: Eugene and Erica. Envelope

  • Julie Herdt

    Minister of Administration and Communication

    Julie brings a background in human resources and benefits administration. She is a graduate of UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology and finds that in the church office she has found a rewarding career as a practicing, faith-full Social Ecologist. She lives in Davis with her husband, Timm, a semi-retired journalist. In her spare time she walks the greenbelts, reads, makes jewelry, sees movies and loves spending time with her grown sons and their families. 

    Contact me regarding church communications including announcements, advertising, social media and website updates.  Envelope

  • Deborah Jory

    Administrative Assistant

    Deborah is an ordained elder at DCC; she’s been part of our ministry since 2003. She understands our mission and ministry and enjoys deep and broad relationships among our members and leaders. In addition, she has vast experience working with community organizations that serve those challenged by mental illness, substance abuse, economic insecurity and homelessness. For a number of years she ran her own business downtown. In her personal time, Deborah enjoys hiking, bird watching, and volunteering.   Envelope

  • Brett Kersten

    Minister of Finance

    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 30 hours per week and is in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-3 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 goofy cat, Skitter.  Envelope

  • Tom Cascaddan

    Facilities Manager

    Tom works closely with our Buildings and Grounds Ministry and various vendors to maintain the entire downtown historic block of buildings that Davis Community Church occupies. He has years of expertise in facilities management. Tom is a father to two awesome sons and resides in Sacramento.  Envelope

  • Dave Roberts

    Maintenance Staff

    Dave is our maintenance man extraordinaire!