Rev. Sam Alexander | Pastor
As Pastor, Sam's goal is to help people take the next step in their walk of faith — whatever that step may be. Sometimes that means providing the opportunity to ask questions and challenge old ideas. But often times, faith develops in crisis. He wants to stand with people in those moments as well. Central to Sam's theology is the concept that “God’s love” is best understood as the creative spark that moves us separately and together, inside and out, toward greater beauty. He believes the mystery of that generative love must be shared in relevant ways if the church is to be an agent for change during these crucial times.
Sam believes preaching should be the first word in a conversation, not the last. That conversation has been taking place for centuries as people with a variety of different world views — magical, mythical, rational, post-modern, integral — have struggled to understand the nature of God. That conversation comes alive when we rely on the love of God to guide it. While his life and work are focused on the Christian path, he doesn't believe that Christians own “the truth,” and so he engages other faiths with openness and respect. We all gain from the conversation. If Sam can help you to take the next step in your walk of faith, he hopes you’ll let him know. Email Sam or call him at 415.456.6760, ext. 12. |
Rev. Jan Reynolds | Associate Pastor
As Associate Pastor, Jan serves as Pastor of Worship & the Arts and Family Ministries. She also works closely with many groups in the church, including our Deacon caregivers and Hispanic community. In partnership with FPCSR's Mission Committee and the YMCA, she directs Youth on the Move, our after-school enrichment program for Davidson middle school students.
Jan is a credentialed spiritual director and leads FPCSR's spirituality classes with teachers Kay Collette and Lorna Wuertz. Additionally, she practices through the Interfaith Counseling Center at San Francisco Theological Seminary and the Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation. One of Jan's great joys is teaching the arts of prayer, self-reflection and discernment - practices that lead to an inspired faith in the midst of everyday work, play, relationships and service. Prior to joining the ministry, Jan was a business executive in marketing, strategic planning and organizational development, and a nonprofit consultant. She is a longtime resident of Marin County with her husband, John, teens Annie and Tom, and Bella, their adorable Yorkshire terrier. Email Jan or call her at 415.456.6760, ext. 13. |
Laura Langston | Administrator
Laura joined the staff at FPCSR in 2011 after moving to San Anselmo from Portland, Oregon. Before moving to Portland, Laura lived in Florida most of her life. There she worked in the editorial department of a local newspaper and attended the University of South Florida where she earned her BA in English. After moving to Portland, Laura worked for several years providing communications and administrative support for a religious nonprofit. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, swimming, being creative, and spending time with her daughter Katherine and husband Dave. Laura is thrilled to be a part of the FPCSR community and wishes to provide excellent communications and administrative support.
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Hector DeLeon | Custodian
Hector DeLeon was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the US in 1990 at the age of 14. He immediately began working two jobs to support his family back home, and has held positions in different sectors of the food and grocery industry since he arrived. Hector has worked as the custodian at FPCSR for more than 12 years. He also works at Woodlands Market and takes on freelance
landscaping jobs in his spare time. When he is not working, Hector loves to run and spend quality time with his son. |
Lorna Wuertz | Pastoral Care
As Associate for Pastoral Care, Lorna Wuertz has joined the pastor, pastor associates, and deacons in caring for the congregation.
Lorna says it is her privilege to pray at the bedside of a critically ill patient, meet with those in crisis, and accompany individuals and families as they navigate their life journeys. Her training as a spiritual director has prepared her to listen to people’s stories with the ears of jer heart and assist them in recognizing Spirit's presence in the most difficult of circumstances. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. |
Rev. Jose Ramos | Hispanic Ministry
Rev. José "Pepe” Ramos leads Spanish Worship Services at FPCSR each Sunday and leads Wednesday night Spanish Bible Study twice each month. Pepe was born in Callao, Perú. and earned his bachelor's degree in education at Universidad Nacional “Federico Villareal.” He has worked for the Peruvian Boy Scout Association as a national executive director for training and as an English teacher at Colegio America, a Methodist school in Callao. In 1995, Pepe received a call to ministry and completed studies at the Lima y Callao district of the Peruvian Methodist Church and took classes at Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana. He served as a local pastor in Callao and Lurín before coming to the U.S. in 2006. He earned his Master of Divinity in 2011 at Pacific School in Religion in Berkeley. His wife, Janet Coffman, is a lay leader at Albany UMC. They were married on October 1, 2011.
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Rev. Bob Hirni | Parish Associate
Rev. Bob Hirni has lived in San Rafael for 33 years, and has attended FPCSR and served as Parish Associate for much of that time. He graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary and served parishes in Ogden, Utah and Tuba City, Arizona before returning to Marin County. While in a doctoral program at U.C. Berkeley and the GTU, he served the Stinson Beach and Bolinas Presbyterian Churches. Bob worked with two Christian academic publishing houses for more than 30 years, retiring in 2009. He and his wife Barbara and have three daughters an two grandchildren. Bob says his time with FPCSR has been very fulfilling and interesting, and he looks forward to his continued work with the wonderful people of this church.
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Rev. Kay Collette | Parish Associate
Rev. Kay Collette has been volunteer clergy at FPCSR for more than 10 years. her special focus is on Spiritual Formation, which begins with learning to pay attention to the Spirit’s leading in the events of our lives as well as tending to our inner world. She also enjoys helping plan and facilitate Adult Ed classes and meeting with individuals for spiritual companioning. Kay has lived in San Rafael for nearly 50 years, just blocks from the church, with her husband John. Their son, Michael, lives in Wayland, Massechutsetts, and daughters, Andrea and Jamie live here in Marin. They enjoy lots of time with their grandchildren, Ellie and Ottie (twins) and Alexandra and Theo.
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John Steiner | 8:30 Pianist
Originally from New York City, John began his professional career as a keyboardist for the pop singing group New Edition. In 1985, the band – and John – went west to Los Angeles; it was there that he met longtime friend and collaborator J.S. Kingfisher, who later produced John's three piano recordings, Out of the Blue, Into the Green and Impressions. John moved to San Francisco in 1989, where he earned a B.A. in Music from San Francisco State University. He is the composer and pianist for the San Francisco Center as well as FPCSR. John feels most connected to the flow of spirit when channeling new music. Many of his improvisations eventually become written compositions ending up on his CDs. His intention is to bring healing vibrations to the world through his music.
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Alan K. Choy | 10:00 Pianist
Alan was born in San Francisco, raised in Berkeley, studied classical piano privately from ages 7 to 17, and received a BA in Dramatic Art at UC Berkeley and an MA in Theatre and Music at UC Riverside. He's been a pianist/ accompanist/ arranger/music director/coach on the San Francisco-based cafe/ hotel/ club/ event/ theatre/ educational circuit since 1978. His credits include: Stars Restaurant & Bar, the Four Seasons, 21+ years at The Ritz-Carlton and Davies Symphony Hall; 28+ years with the Academy of Art University; SF Academy for the Performing Arts, 1989 Academy Awards... and the list goes on (and on)! Alan is grateful to share in the fellowship at FPCSR and is constantly inspired by everyone's spirit.
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Martha Vujovich | Organist
Martha has more than 30 years of experience as a church musician either as organist or choir director. She is happy to be back at the organ bench playing such a beautiful instrument. Martha graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota with a B.A. degree in music and has been a lifelong Presbyterian. She is looking forward to sharing her love of Baroque and French organ repertoire with the congregation. Martha and her husband, Jim Gibbs, have two high school boys who attend Redwood High School.”
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Rosemary Montgomery | Choir Director
Rosemary is a singer, teacher and choral director from London, England. She studied Music at Cambridge University then moved to Ireland, where she took a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies, and taught Music in elementary schools. Rosemary is passionate about choral music and has directed several choirs, including the Girls’ Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Currently, she is working towards her Music Teaching Credential at Sonoma State University, and is a member of the Marin Baroque chamber choir. She lives in San Anselmo with her husband Alex (who works in IT), their Australian shepherd, Sage, and their lizard, Liz Lemon. She is so excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with the FPCSR congregation! The choir sounds wonderful and is made up of such kind, enthusiastic members. Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 8:00 pm and new members are always welcome, regardless of previous musical experience!
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Sarah Wolf | Bell Choir Director
Sarah is an accomplished musician who
currently works as a full time music specialist at Hall Middle School, teaching choral music, dance and ukelele classes to grades 5-8. Before moving to the Bay Area, Sarah taught general music K-8, choral music and beginning band in public schools in New York and New Jersey as well as teaching private voice and piano. Sarah’s education includes a degree in Music Education with an emphasis on voice from West Virginia University and training in the Orff philosophy and Kodaly Method of music education. She has performed with the Brevard Opera Company and The Rome Festival in Italy. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys sailing, hiking and cooking. She is very excited and honored to be part of the FPCSR community and looks forward to spreading joy through her love of music. Bell Choir rehearsals are Mondays at 7:00 pm and new members are always welcome. |
