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Reflections from Fr. SethI love serving here at Emmanuel! My passion lies in teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and helping people grow in their faith journey.
The members of Emmanuel foster Christian friendship through a variety of activities, including lively gatherings after Sunday services. These events are filled with warm conversation and delicious homemade treats. If you're seeking to build Christian friendships, you're welcome to participate in these activities, regardless of your educational or economic background. I feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people and vibrant Christian churches in our area. I’m also an active member of Nevada County's ministerial fellowship, which is dedicated to Christian unity—a message central to Jesus’ work of redemption. Together, we acknowledge that we are all sinners, forgiven through grace. This fellowship brings together church leaders to share, pray, and support each other through lunches and community events. |
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Beyond Emmanuel, I’m involved with various community organizations, such as Nevada County's Community Health Improvement Program and a coalition seeking solutions for our homeless youth. I consider myself a pastor for the whole community, striving to care for everyone in our area, whether or not they attend Emmanuel. Nevada County is deeply rooted in my heart.
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Although I was born in New Orleans and spent three years in Kathmandu, Nepal, I was raised in a Christian home in Nevada City. My family read the Bible and prayed together regularly. At 13, I prepared for the rite of confirmation, but on the eve of the ceremony, the bishop challenged us to look within and truly assess our faith. I did—and I found none. This revelation began years of spiritual wandering.
While attending Washington and Lee University in Virginia, where I earned a BA in English Literature, I felt a calling to ordained ministry. Through prayer and discernment with my friends and my wife, Tara, I realized that I was meant to be a pastor. What I had been seeking all along, I found in Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Grace. However, before pursuing ministry, I felt led to serve in another way, so I enlisted in the Army. From 1999 to 2003, I served as an Airborne Ranger with the Second Ranger Battalion. While serving in Afghanistan as a machine gunner and later a team leader, my calling to the church was confirmed. I became something of a spiritual guide to my platoon, leading my team in prayer before missions, counseling friends through marital struggles, and even guiding a friend to Christ. It was during these moments that I knew my path was to become a pastor. I went on to earn my Master’s in Divinity at the Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Pennsylvania. In 2006, I was ordained and began pastoring two churches in the Dallas area. In 2009, I was called to lead Emmanuel. Alongside my pastoral duties, I am blessed with a wonderful family. Tara and I raised four daughters, Lena, Sarah, Clara, and Ella. Sarah will graduate from UC Santa Cruz this fall of 2024 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Library Science, Clara is studying at Chico State University, and Ella is in high school. Lena, a UC Santa Barbara graduate, is currently teaching English in Spain. Tara, like me, was raised in Nevada County. We started dating while at Nevada Union High School. She is now a real estate agent and is also pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition and functional medicine. In my spare time, my curiosity drives me to explore various hobbies such as reading, hiking, skiing, fishing, welding, working on cars, and traveling. We both love the beauty and spirit of this area, with its abundance of outdoor activities and great weather. The outdoors naturally brings together people from all walks of life, including those at Emmanuel. We warmly invite you to join us for worship and experience the remarkable community of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. |
