The Reverend Jane Voigts was born into a "very Lutheran" family in Des Moines, Iowa. She lived there with her parents, brother and sister until age 18, when she left to attend Oberlin College in Ohio. Jane transferred to Indiana University, graduating in 1981 with a BA in Journalism and Theater. She then moved to Chicago, working temp jobs while pursuing her passion for standup comedy and acting. Dubbed the Czarina of Fun, Jane entertained audiences in comedy clubs from Chicago to Los Angeles.

...that is, until her real life’s passion found her.

One day in the early 1980’s, for reasons she still can’t explain, Jane walked into the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica. She very quickly found her spiritual home among the dynamic United Methodists there, becoming active in young adult ministries, music, and drama.

On Good Friday, 1991, during a church retreat, Jane received her "call" to ministry. Not long thereafter, she entered the Claremont School of Theology. At Claremont, Jane made a name for herself exploring "The Comedy of the Bible." She founded and led an improvisational acting troupe called Angelic Residue. Jane graduated first in her class from Claremont in 1996 and was ordained in the United Methodist Church that same year.

Pastor Jane’s resume includes:

• Student Pastor—St. James UMC, Pasadena, CA 1995-1996
• Associate Pastor—Westwood UMC, Los Angeles, CA 1996-2002
• Associate Pastor—Appleton First UMC, Appleton, WI  2002- June 2006
• Senior Pastor—San Luis Obispo UMC, San Luis Obispo, CA  July 2006 and beyond

Pastor Jane says, "I am very much looking forward to serving with you, to discovering together how many ways we can be God’s Beacon on the Hill. I also am very much looking forward to establishing San Luis as my home—a place that is so beautiful and friendly...and the home of the world’s first motel!"