The Reverend Cindy Arntson came to Community UMC of Julian in July 2013 after serving North Coast UMC in Oceanside as solo pastor for 9 years. Before that, she was associate pastor at Foothills UMC in La Mesa for 8 years. 

She grew up in the El Cajon/La Mesa area and graduated from Monte Vista High School. After graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, she worked as a registered nurse at Children’s Hospital for 16 years (before it was Rady’s). Cindy experienced her call to ministry while she and her family were attending La Mesa First UMC. She commuted to Claremont School of Theology for five years to get her Masters of Divinity. She was ordained in 1996. 

In 1974, Cindy became acquainted with Harvey Arntson when they were both counselors for a music program at Camp Cuyamaca. They married in 1978. Harvey grew up in El Cajon and graduated from San Diego State, also.  He worked as an elementary school teacher, peer coach and staff developer for San Diego Unified School District for 35 years and is now retired. They have two daughters, Katie and Darin. Katie has a Masters Degree in Social Work and is married to Richard Townley who is a surgeon in the Air Force. They are stationed in Anchorage and have four children. Darin completed her Masters of Divinity at Emory and is ordained clergy serving as Associate Director of Leadership for our Annual Conference in Pasadena.

Julian has always been a special place for Cindy and her family. They have enjoyed many day hikes and camping trips in the area. Being appointed here in 2013 felt like coming home.