A SHARED MINISTRY
MEET OUR CO-PASTORS
Calvary Presbyterian Church implemented a Co-Pastor model in June 2015 believing that shared ministry is a more effective model for this time in the life of the church.
Pastor Alfred and Pastor Erin have shared authority in the spiritual guidance of the church and are Co-Moderators of Session. They share preaching duties, share oversight of worship and coordinate oversight of all other ministry areas in the life of the church.
REV. ALFRED GRAISE
Pastor Alfred was born and raised in Cairo Egypt. At age 15 he moved to the U.S. with his family where he finished High school, received a B.S. and Masters of Divinity. Prior to coming to Riverside in 2015, he served for 8 years as an Associate Pastor in NJ. Family is a vital aspect of Pastor Alfred's life and has always been closely connected with his faith journey. He believed that church needs to have strong family ministry programs and encourage its members to make church a family activity. Alfred's wife, Nancy, who is also Egyptian, shares his faith and passion for ministry. They have 2 kids Eliana who is 11 and Micah who is 9, and a dog named Duke. They live in the Woodcrest neighborhood. As a family they enjoy playing board games, having picnics at the park, and going to the beach every chance they get.
REV. ERIN THOMAS
Pastor Erin has been at Calvary since 2008 when she was called as Associate Pastor for Youth and Mission from Claremont Presbyterian Church in Claremont, CA. In June of 2015, she was promoted to Co-Pastor and Pastor Alfred was called to Calvary. Erin loves preaching and developing creative worship services. She has a heart for children, and youth, working to integrate them into every aspect of church life. She also celebrates the wisdom of our older members who are active, robust seniors. Erin is actively involved with homeless issues and a downtown monthly clergy group with Alfred.
Pastor Erin is the Chair of the Partners in Ministry (PIM) committee of Riverside Presbytery and on the Board of Habitat for Humanity Riverside. Erin was ordained in 2006 with an M. Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary after a 25-year career in advertising and marketing. She is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She is also a life-long Californian who loves the mountains and the beach, and lives in the Wood Streets neighborhood, near the church.