Born in Torrance, Carlson refers to herself as "a California Girl." She has experienced a good deal of the Golden State, having lived in Lakewood (Southern Los Angeles County), Martinez (while her father, a Lutheran pastor, was studying for ordination at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley) and Elk Grove (where she attended high school while her father was pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sacramento).

In 1993 she was accepted as a vocalist with the Western States Servant Band. This allowed her to travel to Montana, Georgia, Louisiana and Washington while visiting churches and honing her musical skills.

After high school graduation she attended California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. During her junior year, though, she came to the realization that she should do "something more" with her life, building on her faith and love of music and art. She spent seven weeks in Ecuador, serving with the Wycliff Bible Translators, a noted missionary organization. Although she enjoyed helping with the translating process, she didn't enjoy coming down with a case of food poisoning in the middle of the South American jungle.

The experience with missionaries encouraged Carlson to pursue her interest in theology by studying for a Master of Divinity degree at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She followed this course of study for 2-1/2 years, including a semester as an intern at a church in Middleton, Colo. During that assignment she mainly worked with youth and families, but became acquainted with all aspects of parish life.

At this point, Carlson "decided to take a step back and reconsider where God was calling me." Fortuitously, she heard about the open position at Advent and felt like it was "a door flung open, something God wanted me to do."

The young minister is enthusiastic about the possibilities inherent in her new position. She feels "passionate about churches being supportive of families." She wants to help discover ways for people to "bring faith home from church, parents and their children learning to talk openly together about their faith."

n One activity she is involved in already is facilitating a support group for parents of youth who are undergoing confirmation instruction.

- One of her ideas to pursue in the future is to have teens of the congregation offer a babysitting service to parents of young children, offering the opportunity for a "date night."

- She is also considering the idea of beginning some kind of ministry for college-age young adults, perhaps a Bible study, fellowship or other kind of group experience.

- Another idea is beginning a youth band. Carlson loves drama and music, has gotten so much from them in her life, and since Advent is a very musically-talented congregation, she feels the possibilities are bright for this kind of activity.

Casey Carlson has enjoyed her short time at Advent Lutheran Church. She appreciates the mix of the rural aspects of Morgan Hill and its easy access to urban attractions. And she finds the parishioners "genuine, caring and family-oriented." She explains, "This congregation is a blessing to me; I continue to learn from them. They understand that they are all 'ministers,' too."

For more information call (408) 779-3551.

Chuck Flagg Chuck Flagg is a retired teacher with a passion for religion. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365 Gilroy, CA 95021.