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Minister...The Rev. Stephen J. Mather
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Minister Emeritus...The Rev. Dr. Tom Warmer
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Administrator ...Candace Tyler
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Chairman of the Board ...Suzanne Ware
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Treasurer and Financial Secretary ...Al Ovrom
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Director of Ministries, emerita ...Marlys Simmons
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Director of Music ...Dr.Richard Chagnon
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Pianist ... Sharon Axelson
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Youth Program Director ...Marcia Banks
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Youth Staff ... Raquel & Gareth Maden
Church Telephone: (619) 437-6827
Church Mailing Address: Post Office Box 181680, Coronado, CA 92178.
Biographical Sketches
Reverend Stephen J. Mather - Minister
The Reverend Stephen J. Mather, a direct descendant of two Puritan Ministers, the Reverends Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather, graduated from Coronado High School in 1967. Upon his graduation from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1974, Steve was ordained a Presbyterian Minister. He later earned two master’s degrees in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Steve’s ministerial background was with the Presbyterian Church, beginning with his being Assistant Pastor, from 1974-1976, at the Graham Memorial Church in Coronado, CA, where he served under the Rev. Kenneth Carson, an experienced minister nearing the end of his 42-year pastorate. Steve’s other ministries were in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, Philadelphia, PA, and Anaheim, CA. In addition, Steve also taught at the Los Angeles campus of Massachusetts’ Springfield College.
From 1998 to 2005, Steve served on the national board of directors of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its Clergy Advisory Board. He has been active in the religious community as a voice for reproductive rights. In 2005, Steve returned to the ministry as Pastor of the Coronado Community Church, Coronado, CA.
Minister
Emeritus - Reverend Dr. Tom Warmer
Dr. Warmer is the founding Minister of the Coronado Community Church. In his retirement, Tom stays in
shape by riding his bicycle 90 miles a week. Tom sings in the Church Choir, and is available for prayers.
Director of Ministries
Marlys Simmons attended the University of San Diego
Pastoral Care Program and Claremont School of Theology. She has served as
Director of Ministries at St. Paul's United Methodist Church and the Coronado
Community Church. Marlys is a member of the American Academy of Bereavement. Her
area of special interest
is Church sponsored non-denominational Divorce Recovery Groups and Grief Support
Groups which she has done for fifteen years in Coronado. She is a licensed RN
with a special interest in end of life issues and palliative care. She does
a monthly support group for weight reduction patients in Louisiana where her
daughter is a gastric by-pass surgeon. She is committed to the belief that it is
God's desire for us to be healed and whole.
Dr.
Richard Chagnon,
Director of Music
Richard Chagnon is a Professor of Music at San Diego Mesa College where he has served as Director of Choral and Vocal Activities since 1984. In addition, he is currently directing the SDSU Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. Professor Chagnon served as Two-year College Representative for ACDA Western Division, 1990-95. He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and is treasurer for the San Diego chapter. He serves on the Board of Directors for the California Arts Project, a statewide professional development program designed to assist K-12 educators engage their students in the arts and is the college choral representative for the local California Music Educators Association chapter.
Sharon Axelson, Pianist
Sharon joined our staff as church pianist in 2001. She has been accompanying choirs and individuals since her high school days in Akron, Ohio. She studied piano at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University. She enjoys the opportunity to work with the choir and to enhance our church worship service through music. In addition to her position with the church, she is currently employed in the jewelry business as a Certified Gemologist Appraiser. Sharon and her husband David live in Coronado.
ADMINISTRATOR - Candace Tyler
Candy is new to the position of Administrator. Her education is in business management for the medical community. She has worked in the medical staff office of San Diego Hospice and has managed 4 physician’s offices here on the Island. She is the owner of CAT Medical Management Service. Wearing 3 hats every day and operating from a cell phone is a rewarding challenge to her. Candy is a former Miss Coronado and like Reverend Mather, is from the Coronado High School class of 1967 and thinks it’s great to now have Reverend Steve as our Pastor.
TREASURER & FINANCIAL SECRETARY - Al Ovrom
Al was born into a Navy family at Mercy Hospital. His family moved often, as most military families do, but mostly resided in San Diego. The family came to Coronado where Al began Coronado High School. Upon graduation he was off to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Following graduation from the Academy, his career was spent in ship repair, ship salvage and ship construction management. Following retirement from the Navy, Al was employed locally in ship repair and modernization management.
Al’s past service to Coronado includes being a member of the School Board (1986-1994), Planning Commission (1994-1996), the City Council (1996-2000), the School District’s Facilities Oversight Committee, the City’s Tunnel Commission and he is currently a member of the Coronado City Council. Al is an active member of a local service club and a member of the Coronado Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street and the SAFE Advisory Board.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD - Suzanne Ware
Suzanne graduated from the University
of Mississppi with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. After being a Flight
Attendant, she was a successful Real Estate Broker for 25 years. Now, she enjoys
teaching yoga and leading a women's spiritual growth group. Suzanne studied
piano for many years and either played the piano or sang in the choir everywhere
her husband was stationed during his navy career. She continues to sing in the
choir at CCC. She is former chairman of global missions, served on the Board of
Directors, the Pastor-Parish
Committee, and is honored to be serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors in
2008.
YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR - Marcia Banks
Marcia has worked in the environmental field, specifically to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Marcia has a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from UCSD. She enjoys being a good steward for our air. Marcia’s experience with children includes being a mother (of a fabulous daughter), and a Girl Scout Leader. She has education in child development, Montessori School and Effective Parenting. Marcia’s goals for our youth are to provide a safe and friendly place for them to explore their own spirituality and values while they learn about Christian traditions and beliefs and participate in a supportive and nurturing Christian community.
YOUTH STAFF - Raquel Marquez-Maden
Raquel Marquez-Maden is currently a district representative for San Diego City Councilman Ben Hueso. She is also the a trustee on the San Ysidro School Board. She attended San Diego State University and in 2004 received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Journalism. She is the president of the San Ysidro Women's club, Board Member of the Borderview YMCA and a Docent for Classics for Kids. Her love for children and the all-embracing attitude of the CCC was what brought Raquel to the Church.
YOUTH
STAFF -
Gareth
Maden
Gareth Maden is Raquel's husband. He has attended the CCC since its inception in 1996. He grew up in the UK and attended the University of Aston and has a degree in Managerial and Administrative Studies. He was active in youth work in his church in England, as a youth director. He currently owns his own internet marketing company and is a self-confessed soccer nut. He was drawn to help the Sunday School as he feels that a vibrant youth program is necessary for the growth of the Church.