DOWNEY – Pastor Daphne Marie Gascot Arias will be installed as senior minister of Downey Memorial Christian Church during a special service this Sunday at 2 p.m. Arias has already been serving as senior minister at the church since last September, tasked with developing a multicultural, multilingual ministry “capable of relating and reaching out to the surrounding community,” according to a church news release.

She recently co-authored (with two others) a forthcoming Bible study for the Disciples Women’s ministry. She has also helped lead the Disciples’ anti-racism initiative.

Arias grew up in Puerto Rico and attended Disciples of Christ congregations and schools. She earned her bachelor of arts degree at La Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico in Communications, and her master of divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

She has also completed coursework in the field of spiritually-integrated psychotherapy.

“With tons of multicultural experience and a love for learning languages (she speaks three fluently), Pastor Daphne is bringing freshness and energy to Downey Memorial Christian Church and the Downey area at large,” church officials said. “Both her life and her work as a pastor are fueled by a deep sense of God’s transforming presence, a passion for justice, a love for all people, and a rambunctious zeal for life. And laughter!”

Arias was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to parents Daphne (also a pastor) and Enrique. She has two siblings and is married to Jose F. Morales Jr., who is also an ordained Disciples minister.

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Published: Jan. 15, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 40