The Rev. Laurel Mathewson, Co-Rector
Laurel Mathewson was born and raised in Oregon, but found her way to the San Francisco bay area to attend Stanford University. While there, she also found a passion for the intersection of faith, politics, and social justice; the cultural and spiritual implications of landscape; and a life partner (her now-husband, Colin). Before seminary at the University of the South (Sewanee), Laurel worked as a research assistant, an editorial assistant at Sojourners, and a campus missioner at UCSD. Although she began to explore the possibility of ordained ministry while attending an Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., Laurel was confirmed, sponsored for ordination, and ordained a priest at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego, where she led formation from 2013-16. In October 2016, the Mathewsons moved across Balboa Park to begin a new adventure with St. Luke's in North Park. Laurel is passionate about teaching and preaching the ever-surprising love of God, parenting her three children, trees, well-made cookies, and inspiring writing (which she aspires to create, sometimes and some days). Laurel's spiritual memoir in conversation with St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, titled An Intimate Good: A Skeptical Christian Mystic in Conversation with Teresa of Avila, was published by Whitaker House in 2024. You can reach her on Facebook or by email. Check out an interview with Laurel and Colin here.
The Rev. Colin Mathewson, Co-Rector
The Rev. Colin Mathewson graduated from Valhalla High School in East County, San Diego and Stanford University with a degree in Urban Studies. He's since served as a campaign manager, community organizer, press assistant, executive assistant, foundation program officer, and as a volunteer in El Salvador before starting seminary in 2010. He and his wife Laurel graduated from The School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 2013 and served together as deacons and priests at St. Paul's Cathedral until becoming co-pastors at St. Luke’s Episcopal in North Park. He and Laurel have three kids who keep them busy and laughing, and Colin enjoys sports, cooking, eating, and reading. He also serves as a Navy chaplain in the reserves. You can reach him by email or cell: 619-977-8173. Check out a recent article in the San Diego Reader here.
The Rev. Isaiah Dau, Pastoral Associate
The Rev. Isaiah Dau was born in Sudan during its civil war, and after his father was killed and his brother abducted, the rest of his family fled to the Alere Refugee Camp in Uganda for protection. There he was ordained in 2019 as the youngest priest in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. He has completed a bachelor's of ministry from Jesus Seminary of the Himalayas and has arrived in the United States as an asylum seeker. His wife and two young children are still in Alere.
Amani Ago, Director of Youth Ministry
Amani was born in Juba and left South Sudan when she was six months old to Sudan due to the Civil War. She moved to Egypt in 1998, then moved to this country in 1999. She graduated from Concorde Career College as a Medical Billing and Coding specialist in 2012. She is a mother of three unique, loving, and caring children: John, Joseph, and Joanna Apiou. Her interests and hobbies are cooking Sudanese food, hair braiding, walking, long-distance running, and volunteering to work in the community to bring people together. Her passion in life is to be true to herself, learn something new while having an adventure, and most importantly, to give back to the community.
Click here to email Amani.
Michael Mawien, Bookkeeper
Michael was born and raised in Khartoum, Sudan. After high school he went to Syria as an exchange student to study Economics and Political Science at Damascus University. While there he became a very active student against the civil war in South Sudan and in the Blue Nile, Nuba Mountain, and Darfur regions of Sudan. Because of threats received in response to that activism, he received political asylum and resettlement in Dallas, Texas in 2002. He has since lived in Virginia and Washington D.C. before moving to San Diego in 2004. Michael has a degree in Business Administration from Southern University and a MBA from Independence University. He has held various positions in the financial industry including Wells Fargo Bank and Farmers Insurance Corporate, and he is currently an insurance agency owner at PIA Select. His hobbies include sports, spending time with his kids, listening to gospel music, going to the beach, and traveling. Click here to email Michael.
Fargin Neim, Administrative Assistant
Fargin is a long time congregant who spent much of her upbringing in the states. She graduated from the School Creative and Performing Arts high school in San Diego, studying creative writing and storytelling. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Science and hopes to bridge both passions to create something wonderful and useful. Click here to email Fargin.
Amy Reams, Director of Children's Ministry
Amy is a Southern California native with a background in theater design and photography. After some time in New York City studying set design at NYU, she and her husband Paul moved to San Diego and started a photography business. She continues to love taking pictures.
Matrida Taleshiwe, Lead Vocalist
Click here to email Matrida.
