STAFF
The Rev. Dr. Frank Yates
Transitional Pastor
Rev. Dr. Frank Yates has been a Presbyterian minister for 47 years. He has served three different campus ministry settings and several congregations in Texas and New Mexico. He taught part-time at numerous colleges and universities over 42 years, teaching theology, ethics, philosophy, world religions, and Biblical studies. Currently he teaches at UNM and St. Norbert College. He also lectures at Albuquerque Oasis and the Osher Life Long Learning Institute in the UNM Continuing Education program. Frank has been married to Sharon Yates for 37 years, and they have 4 adult sons. He enjoys music, travelling, and sports.
The Rev. Sarah Chivington-Buck
Associate Pastor
Sarah was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. She received her B.A. in Spanish from University of New Mexico, which included a year-long study abroad experience in Granada, Spain. She earned her M.A. in Christian Formation and Soul Care from Denver Seminary and then worked as the Director of Congregational Care at a church in Golden, CO for three years. It was during this time that Sarah discerned a call to ordained ministry. She graduated with her Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 2017. Her first call was as solo pastor of a church in rural Oklahoma. She answered the call to serve Shepherd of the Valley in 2018. It was an unexpected joy to be able to come back home to Albuquerque and be near her family, and Sarah is so grateful to be part of this vibrant and faithful church community.
She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences where people can deepen their connection with God, whether this be through worship, classes, Bible studies, or individual spiritual guidance. Sarah loves to spend her free time outdoors, near water when possible, enjoying the beauty of nature. She also likes to read historical fiction, get together with good friends, and hang out with her nephews.
Carl Boaz
Parish Associate
Carl is a retired clergy who became a Parish Associate at Shepherd of the Valley while Phil Butin was Pastor. His primary work here has been with worship and adult education. Prior to coming to Shepherd of the Valley, Carl served as Interim Pastor at eight different northern New Mexico Presbyterian Churches. He has five children, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He is married to Laura Fox. Carl loves to sing in the choir and sometimes preaches here and at other churches in the Presbytery.
Jan Lesslie
Church Administrator
On a trip to California via Amtrak train through New Mexico Jan fell in love with the watermelon color of the Sandia Mountains. She was determined to live in this beautiful state! Her family moved here in 1988 and she has been working as Office Administrator for 10 years.
When not working, she and her husband love to travel to see their family, enjoy water sports, boating, fishing and hiking and golf. They have 3 grown children with 5 grand-children.
Wanda Tuck
Associate Administrator for Communications
A transplant from New England, Wanda moved to New Mexico in 2004 with her husband and daughter. For the past 15 years, she have worked in the non-profit and faith based sector as an administrative/communications assistant.
During her down time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and my two rambunctious dogs as well as going on bike rides, taking in the scenery of the area.
Jennifer Freeman
Music Director
Jennifer Freeman is thankful to be the Music Director at Shepherd of the Valley. She is an Albuquerque native and loves New Mexico's distinct beauty. She is a lifelong pianist and musician; it is her passion and her calling. She earned her BMu and MMu degrees in Piano Performance at UNM, and has worked with many choirs and musicians of all ages through her musical career. She taught private piano lessons for 23 years, taught music to kids in APS in different programs outside the classroom, has been a church musician for almost 20 years, and has been a professional solo pianist as well as a collaborative pianist for almost 30 years. Her favorite venue is playing in church for God, as a way to pray and worship, with the focus on Him.
Carlie Capener
Program Staff
Carlie has been attending Shepherd of the Valley since she was enrolled in our preschool. She has helped with youth group and praise band over the years. She is currently the Interim Praise Band Leader.
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