Embedded Files
We at First Congregational UCC Santa Rosa celebrate differences of color, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and expression, and socio-economic background both seen and unseen. We are grateful for the diversity within and among all people and appreciate that we all have gifts to give. We affirm Christ’s extravagant welcome for all people and especially for the LBGTQ+ community. We celebrate all people as beloved children of God. We seek to promote a message of love, hope, joy, wisdom, justice, and peace.
Our calling is to be an inclusive Christian community of faith in this particular place and time. We also recognize that our path, following Christ, is not the only path that promotes these values. We trust that bold and faithful living involves seeking and questioning, rather than dogmatic finger pointing. We hope you will bring your whole self – questions, doubts, and uncertainty – your beautiful, embodied self is welcome here. Join us for worship at 10am on Sundays!
Staff
Staff
William O'Neill, Music Director
William O’Neill is a performer, choral conductor and theater director. He is the son of a church music director and grew up singing in his dad’s church choir. In later years he attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Singing opera became his main focus and he performed with well-known opera companies, such as Opera Colorado and Boston Lyric Opera, and most recently with the San Francisco Opera chorus. Bill moved to Sonoma County in 2016 and was hired as the Director of Music at First Congregational Church.
Diana Bell-Kerr, Pastor
Our pastor Diana Bell-Kerr is helping us grow in faith, love, and action.
Rev. Bell-Kerr was raised in the Texas Panhandle where her family attended a progressive (and therefore, she says, sometimes underground!) Presbyterian Church. She received a B.A. in World Religions from Trinity University in San Antonio, after which she spent a few years in the Florida panhandle where she was involved in faith-based community organizing. Later, she earned a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, an ecumenical seminary with a long history of social justice. From 2011-2017, she served as the associate Pastor for Families, Youth, and Children at First Presbyterian Church in San Anselmo, California, and then became the Interim Pastor at Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco, where she “shepherded this culturally and racially diverse church through the process of discovering their mission and call.” She most recently served as the pastor at St. John’s Methodist Church in Rohnert Park.
Rev. Bell-Kerr was drawn to the UCC because she sees it as “a place where faith is more important than religion,” and she began and completed the process of becoming a member in good standing in our local conference three years ago.
Chris Alexander, Service Musician (Piano/Organ)
Chris's strong musical background enhances our worship services each Sunday. He performs with local and regional theatre groups, leads several choirs, and teaches piano.
Since moving to Santa Rosa in 1999, Chris has been pianist or music director for Santa Rosa Junior College Theater Arts, Spreckels Theater Company in Rohnert Park, Raven Players in Healdsburg, 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, Novato Theater Company, Cinnabar Opera Theater in Petaluma, Hoochi-Doo Productions in Sonoma, and choirs at Sonoma State University. Chris received his BA in Music from Stanford University, and works during the day in data analysis and management.
Carly Rose, Office Admin
We are part of the United Church of Christ
We are part of the United Church of Christ
UCC NCNC
The United Church of Christ in Northern California/Nevada Conference 115 local churches (13,500 members) and about 380 ministers, from Eureka to Tulare, from Monterey to Reno, and everywhere in between. Some churches were founded during the early years of the California gold rush. All were started with a desire to be people of worship, education, fellowship and ministry to our communities. The mission is to unite ourselves as a covenant community and support and nurture each other as together we seek to make God’s gracious love known and real in our lives and in the world.
We stand for
We stand for
Toward a spirit of truth and reconciliation, First Congregational Church Santa Rosa recognizes that our building and our ministries are on the traditional territories of Miwok and Pomo people.
Peace Pole
Our church has a Peace Pole in the front of our sanctuary. A Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse