Our Clergy
The Rev. Ronald D. Culmer, Rector
Father Ron has served as Rector of St. Clare’s Episcopal Church and Preschool since 2004. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he earned his undergraduate degree from California Lutheran University, and a Master of Divinity from The Church Divinity School of the Pacific. In addition, he will soon complete the joint D.Min. program at Bexley-Seabury and CDSP in Congregational Development. Father Ron is a member of the Alumni Council of The Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He formerly served as President of the Southern Alameda Deanery, Vice President of the Standing Committee, Chair of the Eastmund Fund, and Chair of the Diocesan Nominating Committee. Before coming to St. Clare’s, he served as Rector and Headmaster of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Winnetka, California. To learn more, to visit his blog, or to contact him, click here.
The Rev. Jennifer Nelson, Deacon
Deacon Jennifer comes to us originally from a suburb of the capital, Greater Georgetown, in The Republic of Guyana, South America.
After earning B.Sc. degrees in both Mining Engineering and Mathematics in New Mexico, Jennifer returned to her native country to work in the bauxite mines as the first female mining engineer for Guyana and South America. She later returned to New Mexico Tech, Socorro, to complete a M.Sc. degree in Mining Engineering. Upon graduating, she moved with her family to Livermore.
Jennifer was an active member of St. Bartholomew’s in Livermore for over 20 years when she first responded to the call to the Diaconate – a call that, as she tells it, began for her at age 16 in Guyana. At St. Bart’s, she was a member of the choir, a Eucharistic Visitor, Counter, Deanery Representative, Vestry member, and Junior Warden. Over the years she has also served on Bay Area Cursillo teams, and in the SF/SM Secretariat as Rector on the “Serve the Lord with Gladness” team.
In her secular life, Jennifer works as an Environmental Scientist in Livermore, where she raised her two sons, Roderick and Lawrence.
A graduate of The Episcopal School for Deacons, Berkeley, Jennifer now lives in the Manteca area. She is passionate about Latino/Hispanic Ministry as part of her call to the Diaconate and served at St. James/Iglesia de Santiago, Oakland until her move to Manteca. She now feels called to embark in new ministry in the Tri-Valley, sharing her time between St. Clare’s, Pleasanton and St. Bartholomew’s, Livermore.
Our Music Director
Velma Chan
Velma Chan holds a Bachelor of Music, Major in Music Education and Piano; a Master of Church Music degree in Pipe Organ, and has received Kodaly training from Holy Names University, Oakland. She is currently a staff of Cantabella Children’s Chorus, serving as their Director for the Training Choir Division and Associate Director for the Children’s Choir. She is an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California and serves as Board Member for its Alameda County East Branch. She performs regularly in local ensemble groups, and teaches in her private piano studio in Livermore.
