Church Staff

Pastor: The Rev. David L. Samelson

Rev. Samelson grew up in Alameda and was active in the Court Street United Methodist Church. In college, he co-led the youth group at Court Street. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley and has a master of divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Upon graduation from Pacific, Samelson worked for three years as the business manager of Unitas — the United Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran campus ministry at UC Berkeley.

     He was ordained deacon in 1988 and appointed to Greenville United Methodist Church and Taylorsville United Methodist Church, followed by an appointment to Yreka United Methodist Church in 1992. Samelson began working on a doctor of ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., in 1995 while continuing to pastor at Yreka. Through 1997 and 1998, he researched turnaround United Methodist Churches which culminated in his doctoral dissertation published in 1999. That same year, he received his doctorate of ministry.
    Dr. Samelson and his wife, Sonia, were married in 1984 and have four children.   Sonia directs the children's choir "Joyful Noisemakers".
     David has always been active in leading children and youth camps. From 2000 to 2004 he led the Junior Camp at Redwood Christian Park, and he has led a camp for 4th through 7th graders at Shasta Camp from 1995 to the present.

Minister of Music: Tim Lindow

Lead Musician: Jamie Cameron

Chancel Choir Director: Stacy Young

Youth Director: Sally Hansen

Children's Choir Director: Sonia Samelson

Sunday School: Cindy Patton

Administrative Assistant: Paula Blackshear

Custodian: Carl Steeves