MEET OUR STAFF
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If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"The ability to fly!"
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"Playing basketball or tennis, enjoying a quiet dinner with Cyndy, or hanging out with my grandchildren. Any one of those three activities is ideal!"
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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Augustine
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The Apostle Paul
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My father who died when I was 22
PETER BARNES
Peter has served at the Transitional Pastor for CPC since February 2023.
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Peter received a BAJ from the University of Georgia where he majored in cinematography. After working in television for a year at WTBS, he attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He later received a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary. It was while he was attending Gordon-Conwell that he met and married his late wife, Lorie. She received a Master of Arts in Religious Education. Sadly, Lorie died in 2016. In 2020, Peter remarried, to Cyndy who lost her husband five months after Lorie died, and between them they have six sons and nine grandchildren.
During his 40+ years of ministry, Peter has served churches in northern Virginia, Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina. He retired in January 2022, but Peter was called out of retirement by the Session of CPC in January 2023, and he and Cyndy are so excited to be here in Carmel at our church.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"Omnilingualism; think of all the people I could understand!"
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"Creation appreciation with my husband, Jim (a beach walk, hike, or pickle ball) followed by cooking a new healthy recipe."
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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Henri Nouwen
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Nadia Bolz-Weber
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Rachel Held Evans
COURTNEY MCLAUGHLIN
A sunshine girl at heart, Courtney has spent most of her life in her native California. She ventured to the PNW to study Sociology at Seattle Pacific University and eventually returned to the San Francisco Bay area where she raised her two daughters; it was there that she was called into ministry.
Courtney received both her MDiv and DMin from Fuller Seminary. She's married to Jim; they love to travel the world and visit their four young adult children who live in Nashville, Seattle, and San Jose.
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Her 25 year ministry career has included calls at University Presbyterian, Seattle; First Presbyterian, Berkeley; and Marin Covenant Church. Courtney is very excited to join the team at CPC as we connect people to Christ through small acts of great love each day.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"100% teleportation!"
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"On a walk or hike with Josh, Nathan and Emma. We love exploring the beauty of God's creation here on the Central Coast."
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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King David, the Psalmist
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Ella Fitzgerald
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Grandpa Jones
ABBY WARBURG
Abby Warburg has served as CPC's Minister of Worship since March 2012.
Originally from Merrimack, New Hampshire, Abby received her Bachelor of Arts in Collaborative Piano and Church Music from Messiah College. Since she has joined the CPC staff, Abby has transformed the choir into one of the much loved traditions at CPC.
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Abby's past ministry experience really started with her serving in AmeriCorps of two years post college. She also points to the path that led her to CPC as a pivotal time of her personal faith journey in trusting God's plan take shape and ultimately fulfilled.
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Abby lives in Marina, CA with her husband Josh, and two kids, Nathan and Emma.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"Instant healing like Jesus did."
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"Tending my garden, hands in the dirt! "
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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Paul the apostle
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Mary mother of Jesus
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My best friend Kathy - the campfire would need to be in Idaho close to her because she’s a busy girl ;)
LIZ FAIRMAN
Liz joined CPC's staff in 2022 and currently serves as the Children's Ministry Lead.
Liz comes with 20 years experience as a children’s ministry director in addition to ministry with adults and teens.
She has lived on the Monterey Peninsula for several years and is so excited about ministry to children and families here at CPC.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"The ability to freeze time but still move around."
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"Spending time with my wife and/or family."
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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John Muir
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Alex Honnold
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Francis Chan
BOB SPENCER
Bob Spencer has been part of the staff at CPC since 2006, first serving as Co-Director of Student Ministries for more than 10 years. In 2017 he moved into his current role as Church Administrator where he oversees the areas of operations, facilities, human resources and finance.
Originally from Menlo Park, CA, Bob attended Pacific Lutheran University where he received his B.A. in History before working in a variety of jobs including outdoor retail, investing and real estate. Having benefited from many influential and encouraging church leaders during his teenage years, Bob was especially grateful for the opportunity to minister to students at CPC for many years. Now, sharing his gift of administration is a new and exciting way to serve our church family.
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Bob lives in Carmel with his wife, Amy.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?:
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"Instantly wipe our diseases."
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Ideal weekend activity?:
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"Yosemite!"
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3 people (dead or alive) to sit around a campfire with (besides Jesus...)?:
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John Muir
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Madame Curie
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Our late Uncle John
MARILYN BRANSFORD
Since joining the staff in 2016, Marilyn has been working in an administrative capacity assisting our ministries and congregation here at CPC.
Marilyn spent most of her career in science, primarily working at laboratories in chemistry and physics.
She moved to Carmel 20 years ago where she raised her two children, Ben and Anna. CPC has been her church home for over 8 years.
