Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Bob Swartz
Pastor Bob Swartz (BA, Gettysburg College; MDiv, Harvard Divinity School; Lutheran Year, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg) was called to be the 11th pastor of St James in 2018. As head of the greatest church staff in history, Bob leads worship, represents our church in the community, and helps our congregation to proclaim God’s mission of grace. Bob and his wife Katie have two children, and he loves following them around. In his free time, Bob enjoys reading books, watching Phillies baseball, and taking care of the 21 chickens that roam their backyard.
Worship Associate
Bill King
Bill King (NCD) grew up in Junction City in Trinity County, California. He took up both piano and guitar at the age of 8 and is largely self-taught. He attended Trinity High School in Weaverville where he took as many music classes as possible. He knew that music would be his career early on. Right after high school, he joined up with a band that toured Air Force bases in the Far East and has since played in numerous bands, composed music and created and edited sound effects for video games as well as been a contemporary worship leader for 18 years. Bill is married to his wonderful wife, Juliet, and has three daughters.
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Minister of Faith Formation
Katie Swartz
Katie Swartz (BA, Gettysburg College; MDiv, MA Christian Education, Princeton Theological Seminary) grew up in Harrisburg, PA and has been serving as a church educator for over 10 years. In seminary, she focused her course of study on the intersection of theology and the power of stories. Katie’s ministry spills out into our community through several volunteer positions, including seats on the Shasta County Community Action Board, the Empire Recovery Center Board of Directors, and the Board of Redding City Ballet. In her spare time, Katie enjoys reading, attending baseball games, and tending her family’s small “zoo” of animals, which includes dogs, cats, sheep, goats, chickens, and a hamster!
Nancy Schmitt
Carillons Director
Nancy Schmitt (BA, Wartburg College) has been the director of the Carillons Handbell Choir since 1992. During her years as handbell director, she has taken the Carillons to local festivals, national festivals, and an International Symposium. In 2011, she took the Carillons to Wittenberg, Germany to help the Castle Church start a bell choir. She has served on the Area 12 Board of Handbell Musicians of America since 2008. The Carillons host the Redding Handbell Festival every October. Born and raised in Iowa, she took piano lessons in the 4th grade and continued through college. She presently is a volunteer church musician playing the piano once a month for the church service. After 22 years teaching in elementary schools, she retired in 2004. She has two children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, golfing, and hiking.
Custodian
Jeff Browne
Jeff Browne (BS; California State University, Chico) was born and raised in San Jose and moved with his family to Redding in 1980. Following a near-death motorcycle accident, Jeff lost the use of his dominant arm but that doesn't stop him from serving as our custodian. After recovering from his accident, Jeff went back to work and retired in 1993. He and his wife Lin joined St James in 2001. Jeff joined the staff as custodian in February 2004.
Communications
David Costillo
David Costillo (BA, Biola University; MA Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, Talbot School of Theology) took the plunge to join church staff in 2023. Originally from the suburbs of southern California and now living in our local mountain town of Shingletown, David helps us with all things from social media and calendaring to keeping us fed at events and serving as assistant minister. David and his wife Jennifer are parents of two homeschooled daughters, who keep them humble (and busy) with dance, and a variety of household pets. David is co-founder of The Refuge Retreat Center and works as an agent for SkyWest Airlines at Redding Regional Airport.