Meet Our Staff and Team

I was raised on a farm in North Dakota and felt called to ministry in high school. After seminary in Minneapolis, including a semester studying the intersections of theology and public policy in Washington, DC, I served on the national UCC staff and was ordained in Cleveland in 1993.

I have served more than 30 years in churches in Cleveland, Denver, and small towns across North and South Dakota, and was called to San Diego in 2021. Along the way, I earned a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary, where my research focused on openly gay and lesbian pastors called by predominantly straight UCC congregations.

I love photography and travel, especially in Southeast Asia. My husband and I have been together more than 25 years. We loved hiking and snowshoeing in Colorado and now enjoy walking San Diego’s ocean beaches.

After earning degrees in Geology and Religion from Hope College, a spontaneous healing at age 20 redirected my path from hydrology to ministry. With an M.Div. from Fuller Seminary, I’ve spent over 30 years exploring the intersection of theology, science, and healing.

I’ve served as an APC Board Certified clinical chaplain in hospital and hospice settings, following Clinical Pastoral Education residencies at UCLA and UVA Medical Centers, and as a pastor to UCC congregations in PA, DE, and CA. Currently with VITAS Healthcare, I’m grateful to have also served Mayo Clinic, UCSD Health, Sharp HealthCare, and Delaware Hospice.

Personally, I’m sustained by meditation, sacred space, beach bonfires, travel, and a good mystery—preferably with Trader Joe’s snacks.

I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, and moved to San Diego at 15. I have been married to my husband Frank for 30 years, and we have two adult children, Justin and Jianna. I earned my Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology.

Prior to coming to Mission Hills in 2022, I led life groups, chaired ministries, worked with children, and occasionally preached in my church. I am passionate about empowering children and advocating for their well-being, and I hope kids and their families will experience and personally know God.

I enjoy getting lost in a good book, taking walks, sipping hot cocoa, and unwinding with favorite shows or live theater.

I have been a lover of music since early childhood. I sang my first solo in church at age two, began piano lessons at four, joined my church choir at seven, and started conducting the children’s choir at 14. After graduating from college, I directed orchestra, handbells, and choir for more than 20 years.

Since moving to San Diego County in 2003, I have had the privilege of singing with many local ensembles, including Sacra Profana, Bach Collegium San Diego, and the San Diego Women’s Chorus. I also own and manage Full Measure, a professional holiday caroling group.

In recent years, I have joined a growing number of Americans searching for ways to make a difference in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Inspired by the leadership in my faith community at MHUCC and by fellow music lovers in the San Diego Women’s Chorus, I hope to grow as a force for social justice and meaningful change in our world.

I was raised in central Illinois and, after several years in Chicago, moved to San Diego. I began studying piano at age six, ringing handbells at seven, and playing organ at 12. I have served Mission Hills for more than 10 years and was previously organist in Illinois at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Addison, Bethel Lutheran in Palatine, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Arlington Heights. I worked for many years as a freelance and substitute organist.

When I am not playing organ, I work full time as a computer network engineer and enjoy concerts, theater, and travel.

A life-long San Diegan, I began working at Mission Hills UCC in 2015. Before that, I served as program manager for The Tomorrow Project, a job-readiness program for homeless women through Catholic Charities.

I love this congregation and hope people receive warmth the moment someone walks through the door. My goal is simple: to help every person feel genuinely welcome.

I grew up in a non-religious home and never expected to end up in ministry. During my freshman year at a Lutheran liberal arts college in the Midwest, I had a powerful encounter with God that changed the direction of my life. Later, while finishing my degree in Cognitive Science at UCSD, I encountered Christ more deeply and chose to follow him.

I went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary and served as an associate pastor. Over the years, my faith has continued to grow and evolve, and I now find my home within progressive Christianity.

I bring curiosity about theology and a love for creative expression. Outside church life, I enjoy music and art, long walks with my dog Theo (a schnoodle!), and unexpectedly deep conversations in coffee shops. I am passionate about helping young people explore faith by asking big questions and discovering a God bigger than easy answers.

Saige has been the Worship Technologies Coordinator at MHUCC since December of 2021.

I am a proud San Diego native who enjoys being outdoors, exploring new cities, and spending time with my two dogs.

I work full time as a freelance photographer and videographer for businesses, brands, and creatives. I am deeply passionate about visual storytelling and love capturing moments that feel real, honest, and meaningful. Through photos and film, I aim to create work that connects people and tells their unique stories in thoughtful and creative ways.

Devin Buss

(he/him)

Worship Technologies Assistant

Van Angelo

(they/he)

Section Leader

Shannon Johnson

(he/him)

Section Leader