Reverend Patrick Vaughn, Pastor
Patrick and Quinn Vaughn
I grew up in Snohomish and attended the University of Washington. During that time, I led Young Life at Finn Hill Junior High in Kirkland and worshiped at University Presbyterian Church. My senior year I met Quinn and by the end of the year we both graduated and were married.
Quinn worked as a University Ministry intern at University Presbyterian Church, while I worked as a paralegal in an immigration law office. Both of those positions lasted about a year, and as we discerned a shared calling to attend seminary. In 2006, we graduated together from Princeton Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity degrees. After graduation we shared our first call at Faith Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, where we served together for seven years as youth and family pastors. In 2013 I received a call to Christ Church in the Bay Area, where I served for seven years until 2020 as the Oakland location pastor.
In 2020 my family and I moved back to the PNW. Upon our return I have held various roles. I worked as a cashier and clerk at PCC Community Markets, then as a paraeducator at Frank Wagner Elementary School, where my colleagues encouraged me to earn my teaching certificate. I completed it at City University and spent the 2023-24 school year teaching first grade in Spanish in a Dual Language program at Frank Wagner, then moved to teaching fifth grade.
My family and I love the outdoors and spend time hiking, camping, and beach walking. We also enjoy traveling to California to visit our many friends who are like family and to soak up some sunshine. I’m also a coffee enthusiast and roast my own coffee at home.
A guiding scripture for me has been Jeremiah 17, where a tree planted by water sends out its roots to the stream—a beautiful image of discipleship and faithful presence. I envision Emmanuel Presbyterian as a tree planted by Jesus, actively reaching its roots toward the living water. As we are nourished and empowered by the Spirit, may we bear fruit for the good of all around us.
Grace and peace,
Patrick