Meet our Sabbatical Minister
/Rev. Kathy Cramer was born in the Midwest but has lived most of her life in California. She has a lifelong connection with the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ denomination. While in high school she became very active with the Pomona First Christian Church and with the Regional Church serving in various leadership roles. These experiences led her to declare her intention to go into the ministry. While at Chapman College she worked as a Chaplain’s assistant and library aide. After some soul searching, she decided to pursue social work instead of ministry. In 1982 she graduated from San Francisco State University with a master’s degree in social work. As a social worker she worked with individuals who have developmental disabilities as well as emotionally disturbed children and adults. After working at Napa State Hospital for 9 years, she went to Solano County Mental Health where she was a direct line worker, manager, and Mental Health Director.
While working for Solano County, Kathy again heard the call to ministry and began attending the Pacific School of Religion as a part time student. She was ordained by the Lafayette Christian Church in 2005 but continued her work as a social worker for another few years. During this time Kathy was active with the Lafayette Christian Church in various leadership capacities including being an Elder, chairing committees and leading a women’s group. She continues to lead a monthly women’s group there along with an annual retreat. After retiring from Social Work, Kathy spent time caring for her elderly parents, did some part-time work and began taking tai chi classes.
In 2011 she received a call to serve as a part time Co-Pastor for a small community-based church in Bodega Bay, California—Fisherman’s Chapel. She splits Sunday responsibilities with another pastor and provides pastoral support as needed. In addition, she is now leading a Tai Chi group that meets twice a week in a local park. She lives with her husband Alan and their two cats in Napa, CA. Their adult daughter, Caitlin, lives in Twentynine Palms, CA, where she operates a star gazing tour company.
Beauty
by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Beauty is God's bait.
She sets it out and waits
for you to notice.
You pause and gaze,
and, God hopes, linger a bit,
rapt, while she stares at you
because she loves seeing
your face like that.
