Jerome E. Kahler, President

The Reverend Canon Jerome E. Kahler retired after 40 years active ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.  He is presently an active member of both the Faith-based Subcommittee of the city council-endorsed Ventura Social Services Task Force, which seeks to broaden the safety net of resources for the food insecure and to eliminate homelessness in the city of Ventura and of the Ventura Interfaith Ministerial Association, which seeks to promote the public service areas where local religious groups align for the benefit of the broader community.  He earned his bachelors of science degree at Whittier College and masters in divinity from Nashotah House, a seminary of the Episcopal Church.  In 2009, Bishop J. Jon Bruno appointed him an honorary Canon of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles.

Jeff Baker, Secretary

Biography coming soon

John Lazarus, Treasurer 

Mr. John Lazarus is a trained chef and Assistant Director, UCen Dining at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) where he leads a team of over 120 full and part time employees in providing a range of retail dining on the UCSB Campus and manages the operations of a commissary kitchen serving 12 retail locations with an operating budget of $4 million.  At the university he is a member of both the UCSB Sustainability Committee and the UC Global Food Initiative. John lives in Ventura where he volunteers with the Ventura County Food Share and American Youth Soccer Organization, embodying a commitment to healthy eating and active living. Before he and his family relocated to Ventura seven years ago, he was a sous chef at several fine dining restaurants in Washington DC.

Leisa Contreras

Biography coming soon

Julie Morris

The Reverend Julie Morris is a priest in the Episcopal Church committed to nurturing the spiritual life of individuals and communities with compassion and joy and a current member and past Co-Chair of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission.  She leads retreats, workshops and bible studies, and fills in for Episcopal parishes in the Diocese of Los Angeles as needed.  Most recently, she was the Chaplain for AlmaVia of Camarillo, an assisted-living community for older adults.  She is a co-founder of The Abundant Table and has continued to serve on their Board of Directors since its inception.  Julie shares life with Paul DeBusschere, a Ventura County farmer, and their three daughters.   Ordained in the Diocese of Los Angeles in 2001, Julie has served as the Rector of Trinity Church Fillmore, Associate Rector of St. Columba’s, Camarillo and was the founding Chaplain of the Episcopal Campus Ministry at California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI).  In collaboration with other religious leaders, Julie founded Campus Interfaith for CSUCI in 2002 and served as Chairperson until 2007.  She has served the Diocese of Los Angeles as a Fresh Start mentor for newly ordained clergy, the Chairperson of the Bishop’s Program Group for Ministry in Higher Education, and an occasional Chaplain at Camp Stevens.  Julie earned her bachelors of arts at Loyola Marymount University, masters of arts in theology at Boston College and a masters in divinity from the Claremont School of Theology.

Jennifer Witten

Biography coming soon

Alise Echele, Community Liaison

Biography coming soon