Clergy & Staff

The Rev. Julie Wakelee-Lynch, Rector

email or 510-525-1716

Julie loves working with people and communities—bringing faith to life. She is passionate about church being a safe and welcoming place for all and is delighted that

St. Alban’s buildings host a thriving community hub for people of many faiths (and none) and all walks of life.

Outside of the parish, you might find her gardening or working on her house. She enjoys knitting as a spiritual practice, is having fun learning to build things out of wood, and treasures weekly runs with her local team, whom she refers to as her “running family.” Julie’s daughter is a senior in college, and Julie shares her home with their beloved rescue dog, known to show up occasionally and mooch a treat or two from the church office. She holds a B.A. in political science from Occidental College, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and an M.A. in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union. Ordained a priest in 2004, she has served parishes in the Dioceses of Los Angeles and California (Bay Area), and as rector at St. Alban’s since November 2009.

The Rev. Dani Gabriel, deacon

email or 510-525-1716

Passionate about food justice, poetry and sharing God’s love, we are thrilled to be one of two churches Deacon Dani serves in our area. Among other amazing ventures, Dani is currently poet laureate of the city of El Cerrito. Learn more here at their website.

The Rev. Will Scott, Assisting Priest

A gifted preacher with a passion for the environment and building healthy communities, Will lives in El Cerrito with his husband, Matthew.

The Reverend Duane Sisson,Assisting Priest

The Rev. Duane L. Sisson joined St. Alban’s in 2010, upon his retirement as rector of

St. Giles Parish in Moraga, CA, after a 10-year stint there. He has also served various parishes in the Diocese of California, as interim rector and associate. After retiring, Duane walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a pilgrimage of nearly 600 miles. He continues to walk each day and is grateful to be a part of the St. Alban’s Community and staff.

Karen Sjoholm, Parish Administrator

email or 510-525-1716

Karen joined our staff in July 2018, and brings a wealth of experience. She is an educator, artist, and creativity coach with a focus on creativity as a process that deepens personal, spiritual, and community transformation. She is on faculty at the Graduate Theological Union and John F. Kennedy University and worked in office administration at the School of Applied Theology. When not writing, doing art, teaching, or working she is usually exploring the gardens, parks, and nature trails of the Bay Area, and enjoying friends and family.

You can find her in the parish office Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 1 pm.

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Steve Zimmerman, Bookkeeper

Steve joined our team in July, 2018 and is in the office on Tuesday afternoons.

Steve has lived in the Bay Area since 1968 with the exception of two years in Stockton while attending the University of the Pacific and two years in New York finishing his undergraduate degree at Syracuse University. Steve has prior experience with church finances and previously served as the internal auditor for the Diocese. He was born in Johnstown Pennsylvania and is a life-long Steelers and Pirates fan. Steve has two adult children, and four wonderful grandchildren living in Pittsburg (CA). He is an avid cyclist having completed numerous 100 mile bike rides. In addition to cycling, Steve enjoys kayaking and hiking, and of course spending time with his grandkids.

Richard Cushman, Ph.D. Organist

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Becky Osborn-Coolidge and Sondra Lavrov, volunteer Parish Administrators

Becky and Sondra staff the office on Fridays from 9 am – 1 pm. They produce our Sunday bulletins, manage filing and other important tasks. And, they are friendly people who love St. Alban’s!

You can reach them at the Parish Administrator’s email address (see Karen, above).

Morel Briones, Sexton

Morel has been keeping things clean and rolling along at St. Alban’s for well over a decade. A passionate bicyclist and skilled repairman, he keeps in shape peddling all over the Bay Area and beyond!