Leadership is a gift from God that is expressed by all members of our church. At every level, laypeople and clergy serve as leaders of St. Paul’s.
Staff
Rector
The Reverend Krista Fregoso
The Rev. Krista Fregoso grew up in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double degree in Biology and in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, Krista went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Bulgaria. After 9/11, she began to discern a call to the Priesthood. She attended seminary at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley where she met her husband, Tom Fregoso. Her first call as an Associate for Family Ministries was at St. Francis, Palos Verdes in the Diocese of Los Angeles. She also worked as Chaplain for U.C. Riverside. She moved back to the Bay Area in 2011 to become the Associate Rector at St. Johns Oakland. In August 2018 she was called to be the eighth Rector of St. Paul’s Walnut Creek.
Associate Rector
The Reverend Harlowe Zefting
The Rev. Harlowe Zefting was called to be the Associate Rector at St. Paul’s in 2025, and lives in Walnut Creek with her husband, Christopher, and their rambunctious toddler daughter. Harlowe spent most of her childhood in the SF bay area, in addition to time in Cambridge, England and Tokyo, Japan. She holds an MDiv from Church Divinity School of the Pacific, an MTS in Religion, Ethics, and Politics from Harvard Divinity School, and a BS (Physical Geography) and BA (Religious Studies) from University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to her call to ordained ministry, Harlowe worked in university administration and environmental education. She enjoys playing and reading with her daughter, walking, cooking, and playing games (both video and board).
Director of Music and Organist
Dr. Natalie Ning
Dr. Natalie Ning’s journey in the world of church music ministry has been guided by her profound sense of calling and her deep passion for music. Natalie started her formal music education while serving as the music director and organist for an Episcopal church in Manila, Philippines. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a Bachelor of Science in General Course and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Piano Performance and Organ Performance. She went on to receive a Master in Church Music from Dixon Graduate School of Church Music, Golden Gate Seminary. She kept pursuing her education in music, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music, Organ Performance, Music Education and Music History from the University of Southern California. Since 1982, Natalie has held similar positions at churches in Manila, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Previously, she was a music professor at Dixon Graduate School of Church Music, Cerritos College, and the University of Santo Tomas. She founded the Laguna Road School Chorus and LRSC Foundation, and received a Congressional Recognition Award from Senator Ed Royce in 2014. She is currently on the piano faculty at the Crowden School and teaches master classes and church music workshops while maintaining her private music teaching.
Vestry
The elected Vestry serves as the governing board for the parish, with the rector as president. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed; to select the rector; to ensure effective organization and planning; and to manage resources and finances.
Vestry Members
Pete Smyth, Senior Warden
Bill King, Junior Warden
Dave Dawson
Marianne Johnson
Emily LaGrone
Lynn Yale
Phil Webster
