Rev. Bill Dunbar, Senior Minister

Born and raised in southern California, Bill grew up in Long Beach and spent most of his life living up and down the west coast, until receiving a call to serve as associate pastor at Saguaro Christian Church in Tucson, Arizona in 1998. He served in that position until the church called him to serve as Senior Minister in 2007.

Always at home near the ocean, Bill received a B.S. in Marine Engineering Technology from the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA, along with his USCG license to serve as 3rd Engineering Officer on ocean going merchant vessels. After sailing on the USNS Kawishiwi and USNS Neptune for Military Sealift Command, Bill decided to stay closer to home and went to work in the ship repair business for Southwest Marine, working as a contract administrator and then as contract department manager at the firm’s Portland, Oregon division.

Although active in the church for most of my life, it wasn’t until 1995 that I responded to the call to serve as an ordained minister. I had always resisted the idea when people suggested that I consider ministry – after all, like Jonah, I had run off on a ship instead! But through a six-month process of study and discernment, I realized that this was where God was calling me next.” Bill attended seminary at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, graduating in 1998 and being ordained at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Married in 1986 to Kit, they are the proud parents of two great boys, Parker and Joseph Dunbar. Since there isn’t much water around Tucson to play in, Bill spends his free time reading, cooking, and working on seemingly endless home improvement projects.

Rev. Heather Tolleson, Minister of Community Life

I have been a life long (that is at least as long as I can remember) member of the Disciples of Christ Church. I grew up moving all over the country with my family until we finally settled down for High School in Texas. In my time as a youth leader in the Costal Plains Are, I served on the Regional Youth Council and on the Regional Youth Council. This would be the environment that would foster my call to ministry in its infant stages.

I attended Texas Christian University where I was able to discover faith in a new way! I served in a variety of positions including President of Uniting campus Ministries and as the Tucker Outstanding Leadership and Service awards recipient. After Receiving a BA in Religion and Psychology, I moved across the street to Brite Divinity School. There I worked as a Teaching Assistant, served in Campus Ministry at TCU and was the President of the student body. In December of 2005 I graduated with a M.Div and was ordained.

After seminary I moved to Shelbyville, Kentucky to serve as the Associate Pastor of First Christian Church. In December of 2007 I began ministry here at Saguaro Christian Church serving as the Minister of Community Life. In my time here in Tucson I have met my partner and now fiancé. JR and I are looking forward to celebrating our marriage together May of 2009.

Laurie Cleveland, Office Manager

I am a life long member of the Disciples of Christ Church. I grew up in Oklahoma City, OK where I was an active participant in church life, but primarily youth activities. In high school I served as District 6 Representative on the Regional Youth Council and was involved in the planning of many retreats. As a junior, I attended International Affairs Seminar in New York and Washington D.C. This provided me with an opportunity to see both the church and our government in action!

I attended college at Oklahoma State University where I graduated with a B.S. in Business. I began work just one week after graduation. It is there I met my husband, Michael. From Oklahoma, we moved to Shreveport, LA where we spent the next 5 years until our move to Tucson in the fall of 2005.

Michael and I are the proud parents of two little girls and it is important to us that our children are raised with the support of a loving church family. Shortly after our move to Tucson, we found Saguaro Christian. We have been members here for 3 years. I found an opportunity to become involved in something dear to my heart, youth! I now have the chance to pay forward all that was given to me as a youth growing up in the church. I now teach Saguaro’s High School Sunday School class as well as sponsor the high school youth group. I have served as Children and Youth Ministry Chair for the past year and a half and have truly enjoyed it!

When I’m not involved in a church activity, other things I enjoy are family outings such as hiking, picnicking or a day at the museum. I am also very passionate about animals and love working with them. And sometimes, I just like a moment to kick back and relax with friends.

Veronica Kinley, Director of Saguaro Infant Care and Preschool

I am a wife, mother of 4 children, and grandmother of 6 children. My children all live in different states. My oldest daughter lives in Missouri, my middle daughter in Louisiana, my youngest daughter lives in Florida and my son currently resides in Illinois, but hopes to move to Arizona soon.

I was born and raised in Southern Illinois, but have lived in California, Nevada and now Arizona. I grew up on a farm, and so the lifestyle in Tucson fits me perfectly.

I have 27 years experience in childcare and 17 of those years have been as childcare director.

I have many memories throughout the years; some sad, some happy. I wouldn’t trade any of them. They each in their own way have been a blessing to me and propelled me forward in my understanding of children more so than my schooling.

I feel that God has blessed me with the ability to do the job at hand. When I think it’s impossible to survive the chaos, God lifts me up and sets my sights in the right direction.