Lay Pastor Raymond Glover

Bay Area – Northern California – Pacific time

A native of Oklahoma City, OK. Has resided in San Francisco, CA since 1992. A Licensed Minister and graduated with the Certificate of Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion.
A Member of the City of Refuge, UCC since December 25, 1992 Currently serves as a New Member's Department Teacher, on the COR Board of Ministry and is a member of the COR Men's Department

Matthew Fields

Alabama – Central time

My name is Matthew fields. I currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama. I have attended Pacific school of religion and obtained a certificate in congregational leadership.

My intent is to set the world free!

Free from the bondage that says we must be one way…. One commonly accepted and known way. A way that many people don’t like, but they attempt to fit into the way to be accepted.
You don’t need the confirmation of others..

I want to set the world free and let them see the majesty of being your true self!

Desiree Frierson

Kansas City – Central time

Desiree Frierson is a native New Yorker (Freeport, NY) and resides in Kansas City, MO. Desiree has a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration in Business Management.

Professionally, Desiree has over 32 years of Federal Service and has facilitated large and small groups throughout her career.

Desiree loves God and loves God’s people and looks forward to facilitating this very exciting bible study. She is a very proud member of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ.

Dr. Lydia York

New York – Eastern time

Lydia York, M.Div, Ph.D. brings 10 years of university teaching and research in race, gender, and psychoanalysis including a year-long lectureship in critical thinking and research methods in Zhejiang, China. At Chicago Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Lydia experienced the power of bible study to change hearts and minds. Lydia has served as instructor and consultant for curriculum equipping mental health professionals and communities impacted by mass incarceration. A facilitator of Doing Our Own Work: A Seminar for Anti-Racist White People since 2005, Lydia partners with corporate and not-for-profit clients for virtual training and community accountability.

Debbie Brown

Chicago – Central time

I am Debbie Brown and I am excited to be a member of City of Refuge! I reside in the greater Chicagoland area. I am a busy retiree but not too busy for kingdom building. I am currently developing my business while enjoying writing and crafting in my spare time. My educational history includes diverse degrees in business administration, addiction counseling and social work. I am looking forward to great fellowship and meeting each and everyone.

Michael Filighera

Bay Area – Northern California – Pacific time

My name is Michael Filighera. Currently I live in San Francisco, California with my spouse of 21 years Ken. I was a member of Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church in San Francisco from 1997 to 2018 where Pastor Maria Caruana served as Senior Pastor. During my time at FIC, I was a member of the Worship Team and also Worship Team Leader for several seasons. I was also on the Board of Directors in several capacities that included the Outreach Committe, Worship Team, and Treasurer. I was involved with The Evangelical Network (TEN) for many years again under the guidance of Pastor Maria Caruana. I joined City of Refuge officially in August of 2021after volunteering with the Word of Mouth Food Pantry. I became a member of COR after attending the new members class in November 2021. I have always been passionate about those that are food or housing challenged. With that in mind I remain a volunteer with the Word of Mouth Food Pantry and have also joined the Housing Development Committee. Since joining COR I have also become involved with the liturgical and worship department by participating in COR's weekly services. I've also become involved in the Prayer Group for COR and the Men's Group of COR.

Rbow Williams

Big Island – Hawaii – Aleutian time

Rbow Williams, a retired management consultant and chief executive officer for numerous nonprofits, has lived in Hawaii over 40 years. She received a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Organizational Management, and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from the University of Hawaii. She’s completing a multi-year training process of State Certification as a Community Dispute Mediator. In furtherance of her God-given gifts, Rbow joined City of Refuge in 2021 after several years of on-line participation and financial support.

Rev. Paul Bailey

London, England – International – Greenwich Mean time

Paul Bailey is a pastor and safeguarding specialist, with over 30 years’ experience in pastoral leadership and supporting vulnerable children and their families.. Paul is currently the Principal Safeguarding the Office of Standards in Education and the Joint Director of The Regeneration Project, a radically inclusive faith community. Paul’s professional background is in multi-agency safeguarding, education, youth, and community work. Paul holds Bachelor of Divinity (2.i) in Theology and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Anthropology Community and Youth Work and post-graduate qualifications in Leadership and Management, from the Institute of Leadership and Management. Paul is also a graduate of the prestigious Leaders for London programme. Paul is an experienced senior manager who is skilled in facilitating strategic partnerships and developing people to reach their full potential.

Lay Pastor Marilyn Fowler

Bay Area – Northern California – Pacific time

I am a native to Oakland California, where my beginnings of church are at the Prince Of Peach Church of God in Christ as a toddler with my grandmother, Mother Kathleen Portman. My journey brought me to Love Center Ministries at the age of 14, and some 29 years ago to the City of Refuge. My career has years of focus related to Education of youth and the social, psychological and spiritual development of youth and adults. The last 13 years I have been working in the medical field with a Human Resources focus. The most prominent threads in my life are Gods power and Grace to guide me, friends and chosen family to ground me and music to dance through whatever living brings.

Joce Ryder

Bay Area – Northern California – Pacific time

Jocelyn Ryder (they/them) has more than a decade of experience in restorative-justice mediation and facilitation, notably as a certified batterer intervention program provider in San Francisco. Jocelyn was an advisor to San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera's legal team during suspended sheriff Ross Mirkarimi’s ethics commission hearings. They have trained and brainstormed with veterans’ advocates convened to find solutions to military personnel's post-deployment domestic violence. Jocelyn has been a guest lecturer at Berkeley Law and the University of San Francisco.

Veronica “Roni” Jordan

Southern California – Pacific time

Veronica “Roni” Jordan is a professional Certificate in Theological Education for Leadership photographer by training and has served the disadvantaged youth in her school district and is currently working in the Special Education department as a Specialist Clerk.
Roni is a member of City of Refuge UCC Oakland where she serves as Lay Pastor with the Board of Ministries. She also is the Church Archivist and has been documenting the church history and TFAM history since she joined in 2002. She attended Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley where she earned a Certificate in Theological Education for Leadership in 2012 and then received a Certificate of Sexuality and Religion in 2021. Roni enjoys traveling, family trips, museums and African cultural visit to East and South Africa. She also enjoys helping youth in Zimbabwe who were raised at Mother of Peace Orphanage.
Roni is the eldest of 6 children and has one son, Emmanual who is 23 years old.