Our Ministers
Bridge Minister
Rev. Raymond Waespi
- Contact Pastor Ray or
- Copy Pastor Ray’s direct email: hillcrestucc.pastor3@gmail.com
- 925-689-8260 Msg: 1003
Pastor Ray’s Bio
Pastor Raymond Waespi was born and raised in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area. He attended and received graduate degrees from San Jose State University, St. Mary’s College – Moraga, and the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) Berkeley. He spent 20 years in environmental engineering consulting and computer mapping, and taught Geography at several local colleges.
In 2004, he left consulting to attend seminary and pursue theological education at the GTU. After graduation, he was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
As an ordained pastor, he served as a chaplain at Napa State Hospital on the forensic patients units, as a mission developer in a South Asian Congregation in Fremont, and as an interim pastor at two Bay Area congregations.
In addition, he has worked in global mission in India and in Guatemala where he and his wife, Lynn, started a program supporting indigenous woman and girls education in the highlands. He also enjoys woodworking, photography, and world travel.
Pastoral Associate
Allison Kuechle Silva
- Contact Allison or
- Copy Allison’s direct email: lokixoc@gmail.com
- 925-689-8260 ext. 1007
Allison’s Bio
Allison Kuechle Silva is Hillcrest’s Pastoral Associate, which means she assists in a variety of pastoral roles from helping out during services to pastoral care. Her primary role is in Hillcrest’s Christian Education program, helping to run the Sunday school program. She can often be seen directing the youth of the community during events such as the Christmas pageant and annual Summer camp.
Allison is a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion and has a passion for theology and history. She seeks to grow faith and foster curiosity in young minds. Allison believes that questioning is the route to a healthy faith, and that the only bad question is the one that is not asked.
Allison came to Hillcrest as a Minister in Training during her time at PSR, and fell in love with the strong sense of community she found there. She appreciates the way that Hillcrest people care deeply for one another and the wider community and shares in their commitment to social justice.
While at home, Allison enjoys reading, writing and the occasional foray out into nature.
Children and Young Families
Mya Terry
- Contact Mya or
- Copy Mya’s Hillcrest direct email: hillcrestucc.om@gmail.com
- 925-689-8260
Mya’s Bio
Mya has been a member of the Hillcrest congregation and Christian Education ministry team since 2012. When she isn’t teaching Sunday school, she works full time as a behavior analyst serving individuals with Autism and related disorders and exceptional learning needs. Mya has worked with children in some capacity since she was a teenager and enjoys teaching and bringing creativity- from her love of and background in music and theatre-to her work. Mya loves the open and affirming (and loving and supportive) community of Hillcrest and strives to “be the church” always. Mya loves spending time with her family (especially her husband Ryan and littles-Nina and Fox) outdoors being active together in nature.
Our Support Staff
Acting Office Manager
Shelby Pickett
- Contact Shelby or
- Copy Shelby’s Hillcrest direct email: hillcrestucc.om@gmail.com
- 925-689-8260 Msg: 1002
Shelby’s Bio
The Office Manager works in coordination with staff, church leaders and volunteers to carry out the work of the church. Responsibilities include preparing worship service bulletins, publishing the church newsletter, assisting with arrangements for memorials and baptisms, scheduling room use; and responding to inquiries from church members and the public.
Shelby has been a longstanding member of Hillcrest. She has worked in the office as an interim office manager, office assistant and volunteer. Her knowledge of Hillcrest’s programs and activities will be an ongoing asset as she takes on this role. We look forward to her willingness to take on new challenges and the enthusiasm she brings to the position and to Hillcrest’s mission.
Teacher’s Assistant
Shelby Pickett see info above
Shelby’s Bio
Shelby has literally grown up in Hillcrest Church. As a child, she attended Sunday School and Confirmation classes. As a young adult, she has assisted in the nursery, preschool and with Summer Kidz Camp. Shelby also assists with church social media communications by posting to Instagram. Her interests include anything craft-related including painting and crocheting. She loves that no matter who you talk to at Hillcrest, it feels like family.
Financial Secretary
Jim Flagstead
- Contact Jim or
- Copy Jim’s direct email: jim.flagstead@att.net
- 925-689-8260 Msg: 1004
Jim’s Bio
As Financial Secretary, Jim Flagstead is the church’s bookkeeper. Duties include paying church bills, producing employee paychecks, processing revenues, and keeping the books balanced. Additionally, he maintains records of donations made to the church by members and friends. In his personal life, Jim enjoys taking walks and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Church Maintenance and Sound Technician
Ryan Terry
Ryan’s Bio
Ryan performs a variety of landscaping and maintenance duties such as setting up rooms for meetings and events, performing repairs, and assisting the Outreach volunteers as necessary. His second role at Hillcrest is Sound Technician for Sunday services, memorials and special events. Ryan has acquired a depth of knowledge and history of the 1950’s era buildings. In his free time, Ryan and his wife, Mya, enjoy spending time with their young family and participating in community theatre.
Organist, Pianist and Chancel Choir Director
Joshua Feltman
Joshua’s Bio
Joshua Feltman is a multi-faceted musician working in such diverse environments as education, theater and choral direction, and orchestral composition and arranging. He currently teaches at the Jewish Community High School in San Francisco and founded a company arranging music for school age instrumental groups. With an emphasis on sight-reading and playing-by-ear, Joshua’s skills as a keyboard accompanist are much in demand, especially among vocalists. Mr. Feltman is also a highly experienced leader in several administrative and artistic capacities, including Director of Development at Awesöme Orchestra Collective. While in New York, he took on several roles in the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas including Assistant Conductor. He also conducted the Contemporary Ensemble at the Graduate Center for five seasons and ConTempo at Brooklyn College for two while completing his PhD at City University.
Guitarist and Vocalist
David Kohls
David’s Bio
David Kohls plays guitar and accompanies Hillcrest’s choirs and soloists at worship services as well as playing other church functions throughout the year. Some years ago, David was a member of a number of performing and recording rock bands in San Francisco and the Midwest. Now, he’s very pleased and humbled to take up the guitar again to play with our talented Hillcrest-associated musicians and vocalists.
David works as a local track and field and cross-country coach. He lives in downtown Lafayette with his wife Lily. Their daughter, Greta, is studying Elementary Education at Michigan State University. David’s older daughter, Sidney, is a teacher in Los Angeles.
Lay Leadership
Lay Leaders oversee the governance of Hillcrest Church. They are members of the congregation who volunteer to lead Children’s Ministries, plan worship themes, oversee long-term facility maintenance projects, manage our community outreach services, and much more. Hillcrest Church Lay Leaders direct and carry out the programs and mission established by the congregation. Lay Leadership is conducted under the auspices of the Church Council and the Board of Trustees.
Church Council
The Church Council is made up of the chairs of our program ministry committees, as well as a member at large along with the moderators, scribe, and the Trustees’ Chair and Treasurer. Church Council represents, plans and supports the ministries and programs of the church.
The Church Moderator is responsible to the Council for coordination of all church activities and for the development and accomplishment of the programs of the church.
Co-Moderator’s for 2021-2022:
Katy Colbath
Cindy Durant
Board of Trustees
Hillcrest’s Board of Trustees is primarily responsible for personnel and property, and supports all aspects of Hillcrest ministry and operations by working to assure the safety, security, access, and functionality of all of our buildings and venues.
The Chair of the Board of Trustees for 2021-2022:
David Durant