David Howell, Pastor

Rev. David Howell has been a part of the First Congregational Church staff since 1997. Dave is a graduate of Stanford University and the Pacific School of Religion. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Arts, Religion, and Education at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and the Board of Directors for the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ. Dave brings creativity, humor and a passion for the arts to ministry through improvisation, theater, music, and puppetry, and he is regularly outsmarted by Clarence the Camel. Dave and his wife Kristin have been married for 15 years and have two daughters.
Email: David@fccpa.org

Eileen Altman, Associate Pastor

Eileen began serving as Associate Minister at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Palo Alto, CA in July, 2007, after receiving her Master of Divinity degree from Pacific School of Religion in May, 2007. Her particular responsibilities at the church are supporting the educational and outreach ministries, in addition to sharing in preaching and pastoral care. Prior to her seminary studies, Eileen was a stay-at-home mom to her son for several years, after a ten year career working for healthier communities in low-income neighborhoods of Chicago. She received her Ph.D. in clinical-community and social psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her B.A. in psychology from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. While growing up in Greenville, Mississippi in the 1970s, Eileen developed a passion for the biblical call to ever-expand our definition of the neighbors for whom we seek to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This passion has guided her life and work and is central to her call to ministry. Eileen’s leisure activities include hiking (especially with her dog, Blackie), reading, practicing yoga, and attending 12-year old Peter’s sports and musical activities.

Email: Eileen@fccpa.org

 

Kathy and Greg Wait, Music Directors

 

Joe Guthrie, Assistant Music Director and Organist

A native of Missouri, Joe came to First Congregational in 1995. He attended the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, studying Organ. He also serves as the Organist/ Music Director at Temple Beth Israel-Judea in San Francisco, and is the Assistant Music Director/Pianist at Beach Blanket Babylon in San Francisco.

 

Reena Burton, Youth Minister

Reena is a native of Sebastopol, and was raised in the fabulous UCC community church there. She studied Art Therapy at Sonomoa State and the University of Hawaii, and received a BA in Arts and Social Change from New College of California in San Francisco. She is currently attending the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, completing her Masters of Divinity in Arts and Youth Ministry.

Email: Reena@fccpa.org

 

Linda Sodos, Office Manager

Linda grew up in Palo Alto. She received her BA degree in Psychology from San Jose State University and joined the FCCPA staff in 2003. She has two sons, Michael and Brandon.
Email: Linda@fccpa.org

Jeannine Robeck , Business Manager