Meet the team
Lauren Michelle Stevens
Pastor
Lauren Michelle (She/Her)
Lauren Michelle was born and raised in the Bay Area. She grew up in Sunnyvale and attended Good Samaritan UMC in Cupertino. As a youth and young adult she was active within conference camps, attending as a camper and later working on staff.
She moved to Moraga to attend St. Mary’s College of California, which offered her the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland, England, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and she received a BA in Environmental Studies in 2012.
After graduation, she returned to Ireland for a year and then, upon her return to the United States, served as Director of Student Ministries at Community UMC in Half Moon Bay. Her time as Director of Student Ministries led her to desire further theological education and she moved to Washington DC in 2015 to attend Wesley Theological Seminary.
During her time at seminary, she also worked for Wesley’s field education office, served as a pediatric hospital chaplain intern at Children’s National Medical Center, and ministered to children and youth at Trinity UMC in McLean, VA.
She received her M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2018. After seminary, she completed a year-long Clinical Pastoral Education chaplain residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, and then moved back to the Bay Area and served as Next Gen Ministry Director at Embrace Church in Alameda.
In July of 2020, Lauren Michelle was appointed to Redding UMC as their Associate Pastor.
Her favorite book of the Bible is anything by Paul but specifically the Letter to the Romans (or the Book of Judith in the Apocrypha). Although Paul’s writings often get a bad rap, she enjoys delving into the context of his letters and sitting with some of the biblical language intricacies, exploring what Paul’s understanding of the Good News offers those on the margins.
Her daughter means the world to her and they love to go on adventures and hang with their two dogs (Remmy and Buford) and guinea pig, eat ice cream, and spend time by the ocean.
Lauren Michelle was born and raised in the Bay Area. She grew up in Sunnyvale and attended Good Samaritan UMC in Cupertino. As a youth and young adult she was active within conference camps, attending as a camper and later working on staff.
She moved to Moraga to attend St. Mary’s College of California, which offered her the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland, England, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and she received a BA in Environmental Studies in 2012.
After graduation, she returned to Ireland for a year and then, upon her return to the United States, served as Director of Student Ministries at Community UMC in Half Moon Bay. Her time as Director of Student Ministries led her to desire further theological education and she moved to Washington DC in 2015 to attend Wesley Theological Seminary.
During her time at seminary, she also worked for Wesley’s field education office, served as a pediatric hospital chaplain intern at Children’s National Medical Center, and ministered to children and youth at Trinity UMC in McLean, VA.
She received her M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2018. After seminary, she completed a year-long Clinical Pastoral Education chaplain residency at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, and then moved back to the Bay Area and served as Next Gen Ministry Director at Embrace Church in Alameda.
In July of 2020, Lauren Michelle was appointed to Redding UMC as their Associate Pastor.
Her favorite book of the Bible is anything by Paul but specifically the Letter to the Romans (or the Book of Judith in the Apocrypha). Although Paul’s writings often get a bad rap, she enjoys delving into the context of his letters and sitting with some of the biblical language intricacies, exploring what Paul’s understanding of the Good News offers those on the margins.
Her daughter means the world to her and they love to go on adventures and hang with their two dogs (Remmy and Buford) and guinea pig, eat ice cream, and spend time by the ocean.
Greg Zema
Director of Music
Greg Zema is honored to be Director of Music at LUMC! Born and raised in the Bay Area, he’s been playing music professionally since 10th grade. He hopes to continue to grow the music ministry and choir program here and when he’s not leading the choir you might find him in various theatrical productions or other musical ventures or binging on a favorite TV show.
Taryn Lee
Joyful Beginnings and JB Kids Director
Taryn Lee discovered her love for preschool while exploring electives in high school. As soon as she graduated she began working as a teachers aide while going to DVC and getting her ECE units. She completed her BA in Liberal Arts at Cal State East Bay.
Taryn lives in Alameda with her husband, two children and mini dachshund. She enjoys dancing, hiking, camping, and skiing.
Taryn looks forward to meeting you and showing you around our school!
Taryn lives in Alameda with her husband, two children and mini dachshund. She enjoys dancing, hiking, camping, and skiing.
Taryn looks forward to meeting you and showing you around our school!
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Office Administrator
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