Pastor

Pastor Erik came to the Westhope community in 2006 bringing a fresh vision of a contemplative, healing way of being community together. Over the years the congregation has steadily and organically grown and deepened. The community has become an intentionally contemplative, inclusive, and spiritually vibrant ministry that is a place of calm and communion in the heart of the ultra fast-paced Silicon Valley.

Rev. Swanson has become a sought-after teacher, spiritual director, speaker, and retreat leader. He graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity and a concentration in Spiritual Formation. He earned his degree in the art of Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Life Center in Bloomfield, CT. He also spent a year studying sacred community in the ecumenical Taizé monastery in Taizé, France.

Erik loves fly-fishing, gardening, woodworking, spending time with his family, and most activities that are out in nature.

Office Administrator

Gayle was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Boston College with a BA in Psychology. She then earned an MA in Child Life and Family-Centered Care, and went on to study to become a Registered Nurse. 

After six years working at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and having two children, she and her husband moved to California for his work.  Gayle continued to work as a home health nurse and was then lucky enough to be hired by her children's elementary school, where she spent five years as an administrator and school nurse. 

Now that her kids are older, she is enjoying having more time pursuing hobbies like running, reading, and cooking.

Director of Music Ministries

Raiña earned her MM in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. When she’s not busy being a mother to her sons VJ and Joshie, and wife to her husband Jo, she’s either singing or working in engineering. Raiña shares her gifts with the Westhope community in so many ways. In addition to being the music director, Raiña leads the congregation in song on Sundays and serves as an Elder on the worship committee and the leadership team at Westhope.

Worship Accompanist

Martan has a Master’s Degree in Music from San Jose State University and is a long-time jazz player and piano teacher in the Bay Area and Hawaii. He has been pianist for Westhope for almost 7 years (and enjoys every minute).

Martan has authored three books on jazz improvisation and currently produces an online course in jazz piano, JazzSkills for Piano.

Steward, Human Resources

Steward, President of the Corporation

Treasurer, Elder

Steward, Co-Clerk of Session