Leadership

The Rev. Jamie Barnett

In choosing The Rev. Jamie Barnett to be our Vicar, Bishop Taylor has selected a pastoral leader with a rich, multi-dimensional background. Jamie’s path to the priesthood, which began later in life, was one borne of deep spirituality spurred by personal loss. The seed was planted while attending various Episcopal churches around the country as she raised her family, and it grew through her years of involvement in many capacities as a lay minister at All Saints Church, Pasadena.

Born and raised in Mississippi and Georgia (Atlanta), Jamie attended the University of Mississippi, where she graduated with a BA in Speech and Theatre. Following graduation, she moved to California to pursue a career in television, together with others from Ole Miss. One of them became her husband, and together they raised six children until their eventual divorce caused them to part ways.

Jamie began a long and successful television career with the CBS Studio Center’s grip department in 1993. In 2000 she became the first and is still the only female to have led that department at any major Hollywood studio. The work of a “grip” entails hands-on involvement and coordination of lighting and staging for TV and motion pictures. Her responsibilities included controlling department production costs, overseeing daily operations, and managing the creative whims of many, many producers!

Tragically, in 2005 Jamie’s 24-year-old daughter, Ashley, died while on a three-day cruise. Since that time, Jamie has been active in the formation of a grassroots victims’ advocacy group called International Cruise Victims, which lobbies Congress for legislation to better protect the rights and safety of cruise ship passengers worldwide. The organization worked tirelessly to see through the successful passage of a bill known as the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, which President Obama signed into law.

Following such traumatic personal loss, Jamie was drawn to anything that would help her cope with her grief, and in 2007 she trained to become a grief group facilitator. She also completed By Your Side, the Episcopal Church’s training for end-of-life companioning, as well as Education for Ministry. In addition to that, she became a spiritual director in 2012 through a deep, contemplative, two-year program at Stillpoint in Pasadena. Gradually, Jamie began to find meaning through her loss. It was that discovery, together with the encouragement from others who said, “Jamie, God is going to use you!” that cemented her decision to pursue the priesthood. “It was a divine and holy time of listening to what the Holy Spirit was directing me towards,” she explained.

Jamie’s theological studies took place at Bloy House in Los Angeles, the Episcopal Divinity School, and Claremont School of Theology. She enthusiastically embraced this challenging, four-year journey while holding down a full-time job as well as a hospital chaplaincy, which was part of her training. “There are times when I think, “How did I do all that?” she laughs. “Well, I didn’t do it – it was with God’s help. God was getting out ahead of me and making the way.” Jamie was ordained in 2019.

Following her ordination, Jamie returned briefly to All Saints as a deacon but looked forward to having her own church. She soon received a call from the rector at St. Michael’s asking her to become his assistant rector. There she shared regular preaching and presiding duties, led Advent and Lenten study groups, assisted with Sunday Bible study classes, and filled in when the rector was away. She organized a young adult group and participated in all pastoral duties. She worked closely with the rector to navigate the church’s online presence throughout the pandemic. It is from St. Michael’s that she was called to serve at The Church of the Epiphany.

She has a strong pastoral presence, including among those who are homebound or hospitalized; provides thought-provoking sermons; leads with vision, compassion, and strength, and helps broaden our community relationships. She wants to engage us in conversation about how we can grow, and where we can be creative and collaborative. “All these things,” she said, “we will do with excellence.”

Jay Wilcox

Jay Wilcox came to The Church of the Epiphany to serve as Director of Music in September 2014, after serving churches in the Northern Virginia area for 34 years. He is a published composer and holds the Colleague certificate from the American Guild of Organists. He is delighted to be a part of the Epiphany community.

Laurie Burns, M.S., MFT

Laurie has been on staff at Epiphany since 2001 and an active member since 1988. She serves as Lay Eucharistic Minister, Epiphany Youth Group leader, and catechist for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She facilitated the Grief and Loss Group for 13 years - and most recently began facilitating the Epiphany Pulse group. Laurie and her husband, Barry, have loved their time at Epiphany and look forward to many more years in their church home.

Karen James

Karen has been a member of the congregation since 2005 when she and her husband Chris and their daughters Helen and Alice moved here from Italy, where they had lived for almost nine years. Karen was for many years Epiphany's Director of Children's Formation and a mentor participant with Education for Ministry. Having been sponsored by Epiphany as an aspirant for ordination, she spent a year at All Saints' Oxnard before returning to Epiphany when Rev. Jamie welcomed her back as a postulant. She is currently working in that role while studying for an M.Div through Bloy House Episcopal School and Claremont School of Theology.

Michelle Ponticelli

Maria Aguilar

Maria has been a member of the Epiphany family for 23 years, along with her husband Arturo (our fix-it guru), who has been with us for 25!

Nick Ponticelli

Nick produces our weekly live stream services. He also produces the livestreams for our holidays and special events such as weddings and memorial services. Nick has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in cinematography and audio engineering.

Steve Stephens

William “Steve” Stephens is a cradle Episcopalian who grew up at All Saint’s in Beverly Hills. He and his family attended services regularly, and Steve sang in the choir and served as an acolyte for many years. The Episcopal Church continued to influence his upbringing at Harvard School, which he attended from 7th through 12th grades. After graduating from U.C. Irvine (where he met his wife Stacey), Steve attended dental school at USC and practiced in Los Angeles for a number of years, until the young family sought a more suburban environment. Settling in Oak Park, the Stephens family has been active at Epiphany for the past 22 years. Daughters Camille and Jillian were choristers and served as acolytes; Stacey has served as a lector, was Treasurer for 4 years, and is the Membership Chair for Red Door Vineyard; Steve has served as a lector, an usher, a Bishop’s Committee member (twice), and has led the Red Door Vineyard Guild as its president since its inception.

Eileen Hannemann

Eileen joined The Church of the Epiphany in 2010. She was born and raised in the Roman Catholic church where she served as Organist, Choir and Liturgy Director, and member of the staff.

She was President and Chief Financial Officer of a security broker-dealer in the 1990's. Following retirement from business in 2000 due to her husband’s illness, she spent most of her time caring for him until his death in 2014.

Eileen volunteered at Assistance League of Conejo Valley for 18 years serving as Treasurer for four years and as a member of the National Assistance League Finance Committee for more than five years. In 2008, she formed the Ukulele Group at Assistance League to serve the senior community. During that timeframe, the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy and the Rev. Brian O’Rourke and others from Epiphany joined in. It was a very special time.

She previously served as Clerk on the Bishop’s Committee for almost three years and returned in January 2022.

Shay Hass

Shay Hass joined The Church of the Epiphany in 1998. From the start, Shay engaged in various ministries throughout the church including Children’s Formation, Vacation Bible School, and the Finance, Flower, and Coffee Hour Committees. She has volunteered her time to host our coffee hour on Sundays and in the past, has assisted our bookkeeper.

Her hope is for our church to be an open and welcoming place for people to gather and hear the true word of God. For her, serving on the Bishop’s Committee allows her to work closely with the church and be an active participant in its journey towards growth. Ultimately, she would like others to view Epiphany as a warm and inviting place for all.

John Brunson

John Brunson: Bishop's Committee 2003-2005, Epiphany Music Guild, Red Door Vineyard, Schola, Parish Choir, Mitchel Hall Development, LA Diocese Convention Delegate, Diocese Investment Trust - elected Trustee term 2018-2022.

Joining Epiphany in 2001, our TCOTE family experience is an eternal treasure. Grace, love, truth, and light continue to bless us via this magnificent spiritual community. It is an honor to serve.

Katie Roberts

Katie Roberts and her family have been members of The Church of the Epiphany for nineteen years. She is currently a member of the Red Door Vineyard Board and a coffee hour host. She has been a delegate to the Diocesan Convention and is a member of the Parish Choir. Katie has also helped with the annual party and hopes to participate in future Epiphany gatherings..

Susan Halligan

Susan and her husband Tim have been members of The Church of the Epiphany for 29 years. They feel very lucky to have been able to raise their two daughters here. When the girls were young, Susan was involved in teaching Sunday School, organizing Vacation Bible School, and supporting the Children's Choir and Youth Group. She has served on the Bishop's Committees with both Rev. Canon Hank Mitchel and Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy. She co-chaired the annual Epiphany Party and was a delegate to the Diocesan Convention multiple times. Currently serving as a lector, a member of the Altar Guild and on the Epiphany Music Guild board, Susan is honored to join the Bishop's Committee with the Rev. Jamie Barnett.

Gabriel Rueda

Gabriel was born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, and was raised a Roman Catholic. After some life-changing events, he decided to join the Episcopal Church, while he was living in Michigan. Gabriel was confirmed in May of 2005 and in 2006. Already in California, he became a member of The Church of the Epiphany. There are many things Gabriel likes and values about our church, but a key one is the freedom we have to merge Scripture with our own life experiences to build our own journey as Christians.

Gabriel is a Chemical Engineer and holds an MBA degree. He feels blessed with a job that spans several of the things he likes to do: science, business, and operations management. He is eager to put those experiences and skills to the service of TCOTE.

Bob Thomson

Bob and his family have been members of the Epiphany family since 1996. Their boys Rob and Michael were both acolytes at Epiphany through high school. Bob previously served two terms on the Bishop's Committee. He is an usher, lector, volunteers with OWLS, and leads the annual financial audit team. His wife Tina is an RN at Los Robles Medical Center. Bob is in the medical device field.

Claudia Dempster

Claudia joined TCOTE with her husband Bob in 2012. During this time, she has enjoyed involvement in many aspects of the church community. She is in the Flower Guild, a Cordon member of the Red Door Vineyard, and part of the Homeless Lunches outreach of TCOTE. Additionally, she assists Michelle Ponticelli, who organizes speakers and activities for the OWLs; and helps with basket making, set-up, and clean-up of the annual Dinner/Auction. Before TCOTE, she and her family were part of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, where her daughter attended school. Claudia was elected President of the school’s Parent Club and co-chaired their first two auctions. Through St. Patrick’s community outreach, she helped serve the under-privileged by volunteering at “The Mad Attic Thrift Store.” The Mad Attic has raised over $1,300,000 to contribute to local homeless projects, Crop Walk, family services, and more. At the “Attic” she served on the board as President and Vice President. Claudia's hopes are to be a part of the Bishop’s Committee to share ideas, help with temporal matters, and further the vision of the congregation.

Laura Paden

Laura began her journey with the Episcopal Church in 1990 shortly after she and Steve were married. Initially living in San Francisco, Laura worked for Edelman Public Relations in marketing, branding and media. The couple shaped their lives around the Episcopalian faith, baptizing their first born, Connor, at Grace Cathedral. Later moving to San Mateo, their younger two children, Maris and Lily, were baptized at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and attended Episcopal Day School. At St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School, Laura served on the Board of Trustees where her sharp business skills were utilized. When Steve accepted a job at Jones Trading in Westlake Village in 2003, the Paden family moved to Oak Park. They joined The Church of the Epiphany where Laura taught Sunday School, and the children participated in the Epiphany Pageant. In addition to her career in public relations, Laura is a devoted, hands-on mother who enjoys cooking and adores sharing stories with her family. With the children gone to college, Laura is connecting more closely with her community and The Church, while maintaining her career.

Bob Schneider

Bob's wife introduced him to the Episcopal church in 1976 when they were married at Prince of Peace in Woodland Hills. His in-laws were attending Epiphany in the North Ranch Community Center and they decided to give it a try. Everyone was very welcoming and Bob and his wife felt comfortable from the moment they stepped through the door. They have been members now for about thirty years and have enjoyed becoming more and more involved. Over the years, Bob has served as a Coffee Host and Greeter and is currently an Usher. He was also involved with the stewardship Harvest Festival and Music Guild reception events. Bob created Epiphany’s first website and maintained it for over 10 years. Professionally, he was a film editor for 44 years. He is newly retired and looking forward to this next chapter.