We're All In this Together


In a small spiritual community such as ours, everyone has a role to play in making our congregation function and thrive. Our decision-making is both representative and direct. The Mira Vista Church Council is elected by the congregation to provide regular oversight of our ministries and staff and the congregation meets twice a year to elect officers, adopt budgets, and maintain healthy non-profit governance. We also meet about twice a year for all-church day retreats to plan and dream about our future endeavors.


Mira Vista's Council currently meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:15p in Pastor Melinda's office. 2017 Council Members are: Brian Campbell-Miller, Moderator; Joan Thompson, Vice-Moderator; Bonnie Hariton, Treasurer; Kathe Kiehn, Financial Secretary; Cathy Noble, Clerk; plus Rev. Dr. Melinda V. McLain, ex officio.

Brian Campbell-Miller, Moderator

We first met Brian when he and his husband Howard were looking for a congregation to host their wedding. Brian has since joined the church and become our moderator and the leader of the punster squad! When Brian attends a meeting, 

you can also expect tasty snacks and witty retorts.


Brian is a lawyer and real estate agent who is also President of the Friends of the Hercules Library. Last year, Brian narrowly missed becoming a city council member in Hercules, 

but no doubt he will run for elective office again.

Joan Thompson, Vice Moderator

Joan is a devoted member of Mira Vista who is also a member of a local house church and spent a long time as a mission volunteer in Bolivia while living in a Roman Catholic convent. She coordinates our Mindfulness Circle and is a deep seeker of spiritual truth and wholeness.


Her weekday ministry is to serve as a nutritionist at La Clinicá in Oakland where she helps her clients develop healthy eating patterns for recovery from diabetes and other health problems.


She loves playing the piano (especially Chopin) and lives in El Cerrito with her husband, Ken Alborn and their beloved felines.