South County Profile: Paulene Bowen

Pauline Bowen, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson, moved to Shasta County in 2002 after retiring from AT&T.

She was called by the church to become the pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson after turning down a similar request from a church in Fall River Mills.

Serving that church would have involved too much of a commute from her home in Shingletown.

Bowen has known since she was five years old that she would grow up to serve the Lord, but somehow managed to ignore it until after she retired.

She has pastored Trinity United Methodist Church for six years.

Bowen also chairs the Trinity United Methodist Shasta Camp committee. It is a property in Siskiyou County that is operated by the United Methodist Church and provides outdoor camping and backwoods experiences primarily during the summer and fall.

Due to heavy snow in the area as well as access issues, winter and spring use of the campground is very limited.

While working for AT&T for nearly 29 years prior to becoming a pastor, Bowen worked as a project management organizer.

She organized the retrofitting of all of the electronic switching facilities with dual 48-volt power and digital alarm systems.

Bowen also worked for the Tracy Chamber of Commerce in California in the school to career program.

Growing up, Bowen attended schools here in the United States. She also spent her high school years at Battle Abby in England, which was a boarding school for girls. She was attending school there during the school's 900th anniversary. She graduated in 1967.

Bowen then attended college at Saint Mary's Hall in England before moving back to the United States.

Later, she attended the University of Phoenix through an independent study program to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration.

"After the many things that I have done throughout my life, I now know that God was preparing me for this," stated Bowen.

Bowen is looking forward to the rapidly approaching 150th anniversary celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Planning for the celebration has taken approximately 18 months.

In her free time, Bowen enjoys snow skiing, traveling, spinning wool, and would like to learn how to weave alpaca wool.

Bowen has been married to her husband Ron for the past 28 years.

Name: Pauline Bowen.

Born where and when: Liverpool, England, 1950.

Occupation: Pastor.

Marital Status: Fulfilling.

Family: Large and diverse.

Pets: One border collie, four chickens and six alpacas.

My worst job: I've never had one.

My first job: Keeping my brother out of trouble.

In my spare time I: What is spare time?

My favorite book: Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell.

My favorite movie: The Navigator.

My favorite recording artist: Cliff Richard.

My dream car: I never dream about cars.

My friends like me because: I am myself.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My Bible and my husband.

The one thing in life I've learned is: That I still have more to learn.

The best advice my parents gave me: Be yourself.

My most embarrassing moment was: There must have been one, but obviously it wasn't important.

My most irrational act: Not being able to stay retired.

My most valued material possession: All material possessions are equal.

What I like best about the North State: The scenery and the people.

My hero is: Noah.

My pet peeve is: I don't have a peeve as a pet.

My fantasy is: My reality.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Be thrilled!

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: The spirit it already has.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: People.