The PSCC Team

Colleen Swingle-Titus, pastor

Since March 1, 2015, I have had the privilege of serving as a pastor, sojourner, minister, teacher, preacher, and shepherd to the dynamic people of Park Street Christian Church. Laughter, learning, singing, crying, walking, carrying, receiving, inquiring, encouraging, supporting, challenging – these are all part of the journey we share together.

Born as the youngest of three girls to Howard and Alice in the land some associate with Dorothy (‘tho some may say Oz) in the mid-20th century year of 1965.  A product of a German-Midwestern upbringing -- I was raised to be honest, authentic, ethical, all the while kind.I learned the importance of hard work and choosing what is right over what is might and merely powerful.  These principles guided my husband, Paul (est. 1993), and me in raising our now-adult children: Matthew, Zachary, Morgan, and Maxwell.

While I was raised Lutheran (ELCA) and educated by Baptists (Alliance/CBF), I have discovered my spiritual home in the Disciples of Christ. With the DoC’s' emphasis on Lectionary-driven liturgy and the autonomy of the local church, this makes perfect sense. I have also obtained certificates in STAR training (Level 2), Mediation (Level 1), and the Fundamentals of the Enneagram from the Enneagram Institute.

Outside of my pastoral work, my husband Paul and I enjoy working together on Daisy Hill Farm, where we take pride in tending our yard garden and raising chickens. Mowing the lawn on a Zero-turn mower brings me a sense of Zen and meditation. As official empty-nesters, we now have more time to travel for destination races, combining Paul's love for long-distance running with my passion for exploring new places. We share a deep enthusiasm for musicals and often cherish Classic Movie Nights at the Wayne Theater for our date nights. Our big bucket goal is to embark on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Current Playlist: Hozier, Damien Rice, Ben Folds, Hamilton, and Hadestown. Favorite book: The Alchemist. Podcast: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd and The Splendid Table with Francis Lamb.

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Donna Cain,
worship director

I am the Worship Director at Park Street Christian Church, having assumed this role in April 2018. Working closely with Pastor Colleen, I contribute to the planning of worship services, which entails selecting and arranging music, as well as coordinating and scheduling both PSCC musicians and guest performers.

My involvement in Worship Leadership spans most of my life. What started as playing the guitar, writing original songs, and singing at Folk Masses and Christian Coffeehouses as a young teenager, eventually developed into starting my own band and directing a worship team in the U.K. Additionally, I have had the privilege of leading worship in various denominational and non-denominational churches. This journey has also involved mentoring other worship leaders, recording a CD, and teaching, planning, and leading worship in diverse settings, and ultimately, earning a Doctorate in Worship Studies and an MDiv degree with a concentration in pastoral counseling. 

During my teenage years, it wasn't that I "found God," but rather that God's overwhelming love drew me in, making it impossible for me to resist the invitation. Ever since then, I have experienced a peace that surpasses understanding, which has sustained me through both joyful and challenging moments in life.

My theology of worship is (w)holistic, recognizing that every aspect of life can be an expression of worship to God. Music, in any style, is merely one of the many ways to worship. Hence, whether I am gathering with the congregation for the Service of the Word and Table, participating in a Zoom meeting, spending time with my extended family (including my seven kids, their partners, and my grandchildren), cooking whole-food plant-based recipes, or focusing on my doctoral work, I am worshiping. In essence, my entire life becomes an offering before God, echoing the sentiment conveyed in Romans 12:1:

 “Here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” 

Candace D’Angelo, preschool director

My love and passion for working with children started at a young age as I am the oldest of five children and my mother ran an in-home daycare in Fairfax, VA during my childhood.

I started babysitting for families at church and in my neighborhood as a 9-year-old (Wow! Times have changed!) and went on to teach swim lessons and coach basketball in high school. I played four years of intercollegiate women’s basketball and majored in Business Administration with a minor in Early Childhood Education.

For over 20 years I have worked with all ages in a school setting and as a professional full-time nanny. I live in Charlottesville with my G.O.A.T. husband and my two daughters and we love exploring all that Cville has to offer!

Click here to visit Park Street Christian Preschool’s Website!