St. Bart's Clergy

The Rev. Frederick Thayer
Rector

fthayer@stbartschurch.org
858-487-2159 X 307

A Boston area native with over thirty years of parish ministry experience in the Dioceses of Rochester (NY), Long Island, and Missouri, Father Thayer became rector of St. Bartholomew’s in September of 2006. He graduated from Colgate University in 1971 and from the Episcopal Divinity School in 1975.

Fred has served parishes in a variety of contexts and has also served on numerous community and diocesan organizations.

The Rev. Cole Gruberth
Associate Rector

cgruberth@stbartschurch.org
858-487-159 X 308

Fr. Cole Gruberth graduated from General Theological Seminary in 2007, and is beginning his clergy career here at St. Bartholomew's. He grew up in Los Angeles, but lived far from Southern California for two decades. Prior to seminary, Cole studied cognitive science and then worked in the administration at Ithaca College. Cole's focus in the parish is on youth and young adult ministries, though he's fascinated with preaching and liturgical music.

Cole and his wife Corie have been married for eighteen years, and their daughter Grace is three years old. Cole enjoys playing Irish traditional music in his off hours.

The Rev. Dr. Judith Allison
Associate Rector for Pastoral Care

jallison@stbartschurch.org
858-487-159 X 311

The Rev. Dr. Judith Allison joined St. Bartholomew’s Church as associate rector for Pastoral Care on 1 January 2007. Judith graduated from Yale University Divinity School with her Anglican preparation through the Episcopal Seminary Berkeley at Yale. Judith was ordained to the Diaconate in the Diocese of San Diego in June of 2005 and to the priesthood in December of 2005. Her professional work includes nursing and over twenty years experience as a professional psychologist. She is a native of Canada and has two sons and two grandsons. Judith provides pastoral care, counseling and oversight of the congregations lay pastoral ministries.

The Rev. Jim Kellet
Assistant to the Rector

jkellett@stbartschurch.org
858-487-159 X 309

Fr. Jim Kellett, Assistant to the Rector, has served parishes in all New England states except Rhode Island. He was the Priest-in-Charge of the Shoshone Indian Mission on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and Chaplain for seven years at Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut.

Prior to his retirement in 2000, Jim was a Rector in Williamsburg, Virginia and moved to San Diego in 2004. He concluded his ministry as Interim Rector at St. Andrew’s, La Mesa, before being called to part-time ministry at St. Bart’s.

Jim and his wife, Anne, are active presenters in Episcopal Marriage Encounter and Cursillo. As a member of the Hall of Champions, Balboa Park, he is delighted to be able to continue his life-long interest in athletics in sports-minded San Diego.

The Rev. Bill Zettinger
Deacon

wzettinger@stbartschurch.org
858-487-159 X 309

Bill was ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church by Bishop James Mathes in June of 2007. He is a fourth generation cradle Episcopalian who was born in Brooklyn, NY. In Bill’s previous career, before ordained ministry, he worked in the aerospace and communications industry as an electronics engineer, program manager and executive for several aerospace companies. Bill has a degree in electrical engineering from New York Institute of Technology and attended the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont for his ministry studies.

Bills ministry calls him to teach and to preach. He facilitates St Bart’s Christian Education programs, coordinates the Worship Ministries and provides pastoral care for the congregation and community.

Bill has been married to his wife Nina for 39 years and in his spare time builds model railroads, plays a little golf and travels when time permits.

Honorary Clergy

The Rt. Rev. Samir Kafity, Ret.
Bishop in Residence

The Right Reverend Samir H. Kafity, Bishop in Residence at St Bart’s, was born in Haifa. He received a Dip. Th. from the Near East School of Theology and his BA from the American University of Beirut. He also holds a D.D. from Dickinson College, a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Virginia Theological Seminary and a D.D. from the University of Kent. He served as Executive Secretary of the Diocesan Council from 1976-1982; in 1982 he was ordained Bishop and on January 6, 1984 he was installed as the twelfth diocesan Bishop in Jerusalem and the Middle East.

Bishop Kafity serves at St Bart’s in Liturgy and offers unique seminars and courses in Anglicanism, spirituality, and in all things related to God’s Church.

The Rev. Al Smith, Ret.
Priest in Residence

Following seminary, Al began his ministry in Northern Alaska where Al met his wife, Stephanie. After several years ministering in the cold north, Al and his family moved to Southern California in 1964 where Al assisted at St. Francis near Palos Verdes Estates. After St. Francis, Al became Rector of St. Timothy's in Apple Valley then Rector of St. Columba's in Camarillo, California. Following his retirement, Al and Stephanie moved to San Diego in 1999 to be near their 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Having attempted retirement several times since 1999, Al has given up on that matter until old and grey.

Edith has been a member of the clergy at St. Bartholomew’s since 1998 when she and her husband Bob moved to San Diego from Hawaii. Edith holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina and an MA in Art History from University of Hawaii. Edith was ordained to the Diaconate in Hawaii in 1989 after attending the Episcopal Deacons school in Honolulu.