Rev. Carley Friesen, Associate Pastor
(At Mt. Tabor since April 2001)
About Me: Mid-life has brought me to a time of reflection. What will life be like in the "second half?" It is a new start, full of possibilities. Interaction with others on this journey is one part of this new life. I am a mystic -- always have been. I am getting to the point where I am trying to approach what life offers with openness and amusement -- what else can you do sometimes, but laugh!
Interests: Beauty -- especially as it is found in the world outside -- hiking, walking, photography, people.
Favorite Movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Love Actually, and a few recent favorites: Everything Is Illuminated, Mozart and the Whale, Dreamland
Favorite Books: Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, Children of Men, by P.D. James, Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand, mysteries by Tony Hillerman or Dorothy Sayers, or P.D. James..., The Secret Message of Jesus, by Brian McClaren
Favorite Music: Manhattan Transfer, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, Chicago, The Beach Boys, Iona and Taize worship music
Favorite Food: Fruit -- I am certainly an "apple-a-day" type, chocolate cake, soups -- all kinds, and I am really into Thai food!
A Spiritual Practice which I Find Meaningful: Observation of beauty -- looking for at least one thing every day that makes me smile out of wonder and amusement.

Andy Hammermeister, Interim Youth Director
(at Mt. Tabor - drummer - since 2003; youth leader since 2008)
About me: I am 26 years old, originally from Mt. Hood, Oregon, a small community about twenty minutes south of Hood River at the base of Mt. Hood. I am currently a student at Mt. Hood Community College, where I returned last year ater a 4 year departure from school. I am working on completing an Associates Degree before I transfer to a larger school to study engineering and music. Music is another major activity in my life and, in fact, is what brought me to Mt. Tabor. Five years ago I was asked to play drums with the Praise Team for an Easter presentation and I never left. I suppose that I take to heart a Psalm that spoke to me: "Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!" Psalm 150:5.
Interests: Drums, music, physics, astronomy, hiking, theatre, and cinema.
Favorite Movies: I could take the whole page with this, so I will just name a few list-toppers. I like mostly older movies, along with foreign flims like the French sci-fi movie City of Lost Children, or Brazil, by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame. I love Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and the Marx Brothers.
Favorite Music: I really like music of almost any type, one of the side-effects of being a radio DJ for several years, but I tend to listen to quite a bit of blues, classic rock, 80's, and ska music.
Favorite Food: Japanese. Mmmm, sushi.
A Spiritual Practice Practice which I Find Meaningful: I enjoy quiet meditation, but my favorite practice is one that I can not do every day. I really enjoy getting out of the city so I can see the stars. I will lie on my back for hours at night and stare up into the great vastness of God's creation, pondering my place in the order of the cosmos.

Mary Mellone, Children's Director
(At Mt. Tabor since November 2007)
About me: I am currently a student at Warner Pacific College finishing up my Bachelor's in Early Childhood and Elementary Education after taking a year and a half off from schooling. I am originally from the Central Coast of California. I love children, which is why I am going to school to be a teacher and I absolutely love and enjoy teaching children about God's Word with Bible stories.
Interests: Volleyball, swimming, and horseback riding
Favorite Movies: Return to Me, Sweet Home Alabama, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Star Wars.
Favorite Books: The Left Behind Series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Prydain Chronicles, and Jeanette Oake Romantic Novels
Music: any Worship music, Christian Contemporary, Country, some R&B, and Bluegrass
Food: Italian and Chinese food, but my favorite fast food is Taco Bell
Spiritual Practice: Being still and listening to God's still, small voice, and praying without ceasing.

Heidi Kohne, Music Director/Organist
(At Mt. Tabor since 2001)
About Me: There are a few high priorities in my life -- the Pipe Organ, for one. My college training was in organ performance and church music, and I have been organist for two Presbyterian churches for 8 years since. I have just completed my term as the Dean of the Portland chapter of the American Guild of Organists, having held that position for 3 years. I am currently the chapter’s Membership Coordinator and Webmaster. Another is stage work. I worked for 5 summers as the Stage Manager of Kresge Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts (comparable to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall here in Portland, but outdoors!). I have found out that stage work is in my blood, and I carry that into my job here at Mt. Tabor. Another priority is my family and friends. My parents are very supportive of me, and I am very supportive of them. My good friends are very close to me, and I cherish them wholeheartedly, for they help keep me sane.
Interests: Yard work at home, volunteer stage hand for Portland Baroque Orchestra, Legos (I have a whole town in my basement!)
Favorite Movies: The whole Star Wars series ( I've been a fan since college.)
Favorite Books: Organists and Organ Playing in Nineteenth-Century France and Belgium, by Orpha Ochse. The title seems to sound like it's a boring book, but it sheds much light on the history of organists and organ music in this area of Europe at one of the high-points in organ history. Another favorite is Molto Agitato, by Johanna Fiedler. She was a press secretary for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City for a number of years, and this book is a behind-the-curtain look at the Met from its beginnings in the 1800s to today.
Favorite Music: Obviously, classical music, especially organ, choral, and orchestral music. My favorite composers are Johann Sebastian Bach and Cesar Franck. I also listen to pop/rock music often while driving in my car.
Favorite Food: Pepperoni pizza, pineapple (fresh or canned), and chocolate. You're going to have to work hard to keep me away from any of these if I get a craving!
A spiritual practice which you find meaningful: I spend some time at least a couple of times a week with my Bible. Sometimes I also attend Trinity Episcopal Cathedral's Evensong to help "recharge my batteries".

Kevin Gates, Praise Team Leader
(At Mt. Tabor since October, 2007)
About Me: I am currently a student at Warner Pacific College finishing my undergrad in Religion & Christian Ministry after a 14 year hiatus. I spend a lot of time with my daughter, so I tend to keep a slightly immature outlook on life.
Interests: Music, Movies, Playing, Skeeball, & Talking.
Favorite Movies: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Matrix, Finding Nemo, and Sense & Sensibility
Favorite Books: Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal; Blue Like Jazz; and most of Robert Jordan’s work.
Favorite Music: Praise tunes, Speed Metal, Acoustic Folk, ‘70’s Rock, Disco, Progressive Hardcore… most music is enjoyable at the right time.
Favorite Food: Tamales rock my world.
A Spiritual Practice which I Find Meaningful: Silence, in which I can hear God’s Creation as it lifts up it’s voice in praise.