The Reverend Joanne M. Swenson, Th.D.
Senior Minister of the Church in the Forest: The Reverend Joanne M. Swenson, Th.D.
Before accepting our call in 2016, Joanne served as a pastor, founder of a Small Group ministry, and a professor of religion. She holds three advanced degrees from Harvard University in Divinity and Theology and is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Joanne’s ministry focuses on helping us discover our Christian calling, especially through the challenges of what Father Richard Rohr terms, “The Second Half of Life.” She and her husband, John Thorbeck, are the parents of four children, far flung from Ithaca to Minneapolis, Shanghai to Fort Bliss, Texas; and grandparents of five. When work is over, Joanne puts on her cycling shoes or hiking boots and explores her adored new home of California.
The Reverend Ken Feske
Assistant Minister of the Church in the Forest: the Reverend Ken Feske
Ken is multi-talented, blessing us with his breadth of knowledge about local change agents and non-profits; and his sensitive insight into our church members’ lives. Ken was honored as “2000 Citizen of the Year” by the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, as well as other numerous awards for community service. Ken is a partner with his wife Nancy Borino at the beautiful home décor shop in the Crossroads Shopping Plaza, Casa Di Campagna. And, as parents of two and grandparents of two, Ken has no free time!