Warren Bradley Toebben was born in Missouri. He was baptized at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Jefferson City in 1972. He graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia with a BSBA in Finance/Commercial Bank Management. That same year, he was confirmed as a Roman Catholic at Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, Missouri, choosing the confirmation name Paul.
He entered formation for priestly studies at Conception Seminary College in Missouri and received the Certificate of Pre-Theological Studies. He pursued graduate studies in religion and theology at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium and was awarded the MA in Religious Studies, the MA in Theology, and the Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus.
He returned to the United States and became Director of Campus Ministry and Associate Professor of Theology at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After prayerful discernment, he made the difficult decision to leave the Roman Catholic Church and began a career in interior design in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma then relocating to Portland, Oregon in 2005. He returned to academia as Associate Professor of Religion at Clackamas Community College in 2006.
In 2007 he was received into the Episcopal Church at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral which raised him up for Holy Orders in 2013. After completing Anglican Studies at General Theological Seminary in New York City, he was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 2014. Brad served as Assistant Priest at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Eugene and as Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Brad’s family is small. His brother Kurt resides in the family home in Holt’s Summit, Missouri. His parents, Paul and Mary, are deceased. Brad is a liturgist and organist. He continues to seek the balance between working out and eating fine food. Brad enjoys camping, cooking and reading. He has a passion for all things King’s College, Cambridge, a love of single-malt Scotch whisky and an obsession with fireplaces, especially antique English cast iron inserts and grates.
Susie was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She and her family have been in Oregon since 1994 and enjoy skiing, and attending sporting events. Susie joined Christ Church as the Director of Christian Formation in 1997 and is responsible for Children and Adult education
Julie Mankin, originally from the Midwest, moved to Oregon after marrying her high school sweetheart, Scott, in 1993. Together they have three children; Chloe, Morgan and Calvin. She has worked for several churches large to small, ELCA Oregon Synod, and Portland Lutheran School.
Tiffany Carter received both her Bachelor of Music and her Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. An experienced music educator, Tiffany has maintained a private voice studio for over 16 years and is a frequent guest choral clinician at various Christian high schools.
She recently served as an Adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University in the School of Music and has been the Choir Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Riverside, California for the past 3 years. Equally, at home on the stage, Tiffany has performed leading roles in many operas and musicals and has also been a featured concert soloist throughout the country.
Jane grew up on a farm/ranch in Northwestern Nebraska, where music was an integral part of family and community life. Her organ playing began at her neighborhood country church and has continued to the present. Jane holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Music degree from Lewis and Clark College. Jane has studied and performed at organ institutes in the United States and France, and her principal organ teacher has been Dr. Lee Garrett. She is a music specialist in the Newberg Public Schools and currently serves as Vice President of the Organization of American Kodály Educators. Jane has completed two Portland Marathons and enjoys biking.
Candace Ray was born and raised in the Portland area. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been a Preschool Director for 14 years. Candace started as a preschool assistant when she was 16 and decided that children were her passion. During college, she was a preschool teacher and was promoted to director after graduating. She also has run a variety of summer camps for children ages preschool – middle school during her 13 years as a director. Candace is married with four children.