Fran Materra received both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Claremont School of Theology. Ordained in 1975, she has spent approximately 15 years in campus ministry and 15 years pastoring in the local church.

She was born in and has returned to San Diego after living in five states, as well as Mexico and Bolivia. She is the mother of four multi-racial children who came to her through adoption. A son and daughter are grown and on their own, and two young sons—in elementary school and middle school—live at home.

In the summer of 2004, Fran bought a small ranch for her family in the mountains of east San Diego County, along the Mexican border. There she is creating Kindred Spirits Ranch as her home and retreat center. The ranch is a sanctuary for rescued wolves and horses and a site for experiential learning about equine-facilitated spirituality, sustainable environments, the healing arts, and border issues.

Fran directs three areas of ministry here at PB UMC:

• The prayer chapel is open for personal prayer on Sunday mornings. Fran is available for conversation or to pray with individuals before and after each service.

• She coordinates the small group ministry, providing several choices each quarter. Groups have included such varied topics as Bible Study, The Faces of Christ in Fine Art, The Seasons of the Church, Creative Writing, and Photography for Worship.

• In addition, Fran guides our young adult ministry, whose members meet approximately once a month. Their activities have included potlucks, assembling food boxes for Metro, hiking, whale watching, and helping to build a Habitat for Humanity House.

“It is a great joy to be on the pastoral staff at PB UMC,” says Fran. “My excitement comes from this arts-filled Christian community which publicly affirms and lives God’s gracious love for each being. Pastor April’s preaching is courageous and compassionate. Fed by her Biblical study, it is also touched by the realities and struggles of 21st-century life. PB UMC is a multi-ethnic church, a Reconciling Congregation, and a center for learning, service, and growth in faith. It is a community deeply involved with its children, youth, elders, and with the world beyond its doors!”